NSW Lockout Laws Cause 40 Percent Drop in Live Music Revenue

The Sydney lockout laws have caused a 40 per cent drop in live music revenue at venues within the Sydney lockout zones, according to figures released today by APRA AMCOS and the Live Music Office.

The data also shows a 19% decrease in foot traffic at nightclubs and dance venues since the lockout laws were introduced in 2014.

An analysis of its licence revenue during 1 February 2013 to 31 January 2015 has also found decreases in the value of fees collected from license holders within the Sydney CBD.

As a result, venues are also spending less on live entertainment, with a reported 15 per cent overall decrease in venue expenditure on live artist performers.

Live Music Office Policy Director, John Wardle, told TMN that losing the remaining live music venues in Sydney was a strong possibility.

“Losing the live music venues that are left in the CBD is now very much on the cards. That’s the outcome predicted for Australia’s live music scene,” he said.

“The impacts in Sydney on the music sector are real – the downturn in door charge receipts reflects a significant loss for featured artists [and] touring acts – this is diversity, employment and industry development being heavily impacted in the centre of a major city.”

The data collected was based on reassessments submitted by licensees to APRA AMCOS, which noted the actual activity over the course of the licence period. Venues provided figures regarding door receipts, gross expenditure, and numbers of attendees at venues. APRA AMCOS then compared the reassessment figures prior to the lockout with the figures after the lockout laws came to effect.

APRA AMCOS made various suggestions to reduce the negative impact to the NSW live music sector. This included exemption from the 1:30am lockout laws, exemptions from liquor freezes for venues presenting live entertainment, and the establishment of a live music regulation best practice and red tape reduction review.

“There are important measures that need to be put in place to reduce the impacts to the live music sector that are now being experienced in Sydney, whilst still ensuring public safety is paramount,” said Mr Wardle.

This week, Queensland also made the move to pass 3am lock out laws to all late-trading licensed venues.