New live music council launches to serve sector’s small businesses

Some of Australia’s top agents, venues and promoters have united to launch the Australian Live Music Business Council to represent the interests of small to medium music companies.

Other founding members include those in ticketing, media, managers, publicists, food, security, tech and roadies. This equals 65,000 jobs, according to data from the Live Music Office.

“These businesses are the real engine room of the live music economy,” interim chair Stephen Wade said, who visits Canberra today to meet with policy makers.

“COVID has shown just how important a collective approach is in times of crisis and the Australian Live Music Business Council fills that gap, providing for the first time, a platform to help galvanise our passion to work in this amazing industry.”

The ALMBC will feed into and support the initiatives of other organisations by creating a collective voice for the specific needs of the sector.

The extension of JobKeeper beyond September and whether its members can get insurance for live shows when they return are top priorities in its ledger.

Among the founding members are Wade, Oztix co-founders Brian Chladil and Stuart Field, Electronic Music Conference director Jane Slingo and Untitled Group co-founder Nick Greco.

Hayden Johnston of Architects of Entertainment, also a board member of CrewCare, explains the urgent need for the new association to supports an under-represented sector.

“As a director of an event services agency, specialising in outdoor events we provide our clients with planning, design and operations management,” Johnston said.

“Currently and as of the 15th March our income and projects have come to a complete stop, with no current schedule to recommence.

“Large-scale events take months of planning, and without the confidence to go ahead, our client base is in a holding pattern.”

The EMC’s Jane Slingo emphasizes the need for the small to medium live sector to come together.

“Australia’s live music scene is abundant in amazing artists, bands and DJs and behind every one of them is an incredible amount of people power that promotes and supports their careers.

“ALMBC provides advocacy for the small to medium enterprises that have lacked representation during a time when our collective voice needs to be heard the most.

“This part of the music sector is made up of thousands of people and it’s our hope that they can direct some of this energy to an organisation designed to safeguard their future.”

The council is waiving joining fees for an initial six month period.