Victoria’s live music performers and venues contribute more than half a billion dollars to the state economy each year, according to a recent report released by Premier and Minister for the Arts Ted Baillieu and Minister for Consumer Affairs Michael O’Brien, but commissioned by the previous Brunby Government.
The announcement today was kicked off with a performance from local musician Jordie Lane who was fresh from his performance on PBS 106.7's Breakfast Spread.
The report revealed that Victoria boasts the highest number of venues in the country (600, with 370 in Melbourne) which in 2009/2010 hosted 5.4 million attendances, more than the 4.3 million attendances at the AFL’s home and away season games.
“Melbourne has more live music venues than any other Australian city and Victorians are passionate about live music, with around 5.4 million attendees at Victorian venues in 2009/10 – outstripping even the AFL,” Mr Baillieu said.
Live music also creates 17,200 jobs in auxiliary industries such as sound technicians, production hire, PR, advertising, security, merchandise, managers, band bookers and record manufacturers, yet musicians earn on average just under $20,000 a year, $13,500 of which comes from live performance. This deficiency seriously needs to be addressed. "Now we have to look at strategies and solutions to assist the sector in living up to its potential as one of the live music capitals of the world" said Patrick Donovan, CEO of Music Victoria.
Local musician Kim Salmon called on the music sector along with the State Government to address the very real issue of the low rate of pay of musicians, those actually creating the indsutry. There is a marked gap between the earnings of musicians to other arms of the industry, such as publicans, publishers, retailers, labels, promoters and agents. "What of the musicians who create this live music so cherished by the state?" he asked.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/spare-a-dollar-for-...