Victoria’s live music scene is getting a shot in the arm, with the state government announcing a new round of funding to help festivals stay afloat.
Up to $50,000 per festival is up for grabs as part of the Live Music Festivals Fund, designed to support events with at least 1,000 attendees.
Delivered by Music Victoria, the grants will help organisers cover everything from artist fees to production costs. This ensures that festivals, particularly independent and regional ones—can keep delivering live music.
The fund is part of the Labor Government’s broader push to reinvigorate the state’s music industry. As we all know the industry has been hit hard by rising costs, shifting venue landscapes, and the fallout from years of disruptions. Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks says the funding will allow festivals to “grow and thrive,” making sure Victoria remains a live music stronghold.
It’s not just about cash injections, though. The scheme also aims to give festival organisers the support needed to adapt and evolve. This possibly means securing bigger lineups, expanding capacity, or making events more accessible.
Victoria has long been at the heart of Australia’s live music scene. Melbourne has often claimed the title of live music capital of the world (pre-pandemic, at least). But the industry has been in recovery mode, with festival organisers facing higher production costs and tighter margins.
Smaller and independent festivals have been hit hardest, struggling to compete with larger, corporate-backed events. A government-backed funding program might be the difference between survival and another festival shutting its doors for good.
Previous rounds of the Live Music Festivals Fund have helped events like Riverboats Festival, CresFest, and OK Motels, proving that this kind of support can make a tangible impact. This time, the goal is to help even more festivals stay viable and competitive in an increasingly difficult market.
Who Can Apply?
Applications for the Live Music Festivals Fund open on February 25 and close on March 25. Festivals that draw over 1,000 punters and showcase live music are eligible to apply. More information is available via Music Victoria.
With festival culture still under pressure from rising costs and industry uncertainty, government support like this is crucial. Whether it’s enough to keep smaller festivals from folding remains to be seen, but at the very least, it’s a step in the right direction.
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