​WA music industry responds to government’s $3m funding for contemporary music

The West Australian music industry has responded to the state government’s announcement that next week’s state budget will include a $3 million commitment over four years to contemporary music.

The fund is for artists to produce and promote their music; develop local, national and international markets for WA music; and continue to pump money into the state’s economy and boost its employment.

The fund is also set up to be inclusive, so musicians from First Australian, regional, cultural and gender diverse backgrounds are strongly represented.

Mike Harris, CEO of peak music industry body WAM says that it is also developing what is believed to be Australia’s first Audience Development Plan, which will be rolled out soon.

“This will play an important part in sustaining growth in the local live music sector which will also help cement our position as the music capital of Australia.”

The funding is an electoral promise by premier Mark McGowan when he was in Opposition.

WAM’s research found that WA’s contemporary music industry is worth almost $1 billion to the WA economy each year and creates almost 3,000 direct full-time jobs.

The WA Government will also work with industry stakeholders to identify ways to further develop WA’s contemporary music industry.

The premier and culture and the arts minister David Templeman made the fund announcement at Perth live music venue Badlands Bar at which Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse and Carla Geneve performed.

Premier McGowan said, “Apart from the cultural and entertainment benefits the creative music industry provides, it also supports tourism and creates thousands of jobs, particularly for young Western Australians.”

He went on to say, “A strong and vibrant local music industry is a key driver of the vibrant nightlife that we would like to grow in our city, to create more entertainment options for both locals and tourists.”

Minister Templeman noted, “Western Australia has proven over the years that it has been home to a wonderfully talented group of musicians, bands and artists across genres and styles.

“We want to make sure that the rest of the country and the world continues to hear and share the unique and amazing music which comes from one of the most isolated places on earth.

“The Contemporary Music Fund will assist upcoming Western Australian artists to produce and promote their music, giving them a helping hand in building national and international links.”

About ten years ago, Perth started to brand itself as the live music capital of Australia.

Unfortunately, Melbourne soon took that title, and was globally acclaimed in that position.

In the meantime, Adelaide too was bestowed with the title of UNESCO City of Music, with which it has launched numerous initiatives to live up to expectations.

Now the WA government and music industry intend to move things along and reclaim the title for Perth.