Queensland indoor venues get further $2.8m lifeline

Round three of the Queensland Government’s Live Music Support program has distributed $2.8 million between 21 indoor music venues in the state.

It was set up to help stabilise business operations and to offset revenue losses.

The Fortitude Music Hall in Fortitude Valley and NightQuarter in Birtinya both received $380,000 each. The latter won Best Regional Venue at the 2021 Queensland Music Awards.

The Tivoli in Fortitude Valley got $280,000, Miami Marketta in Mermaid Beach $221,400, while The Triffid in Newstead and Solbar in Maroochydore each collected $180,000.

In the $100,000 to $130,000 range were Brisbane Jazz Club, The Brightside, Woolly Mammoth, Tomcat Bar, Brooklyn Standard, Good Time Bar, Black Bear Lodge and The Elsewhere.

Paul Day, president of the Brisbane Jazz Club, said it is so important for live entertainment to survive in these difficult times and to keep its staff employed.

Queensland arts minister Leeanne Enoch added: “Queensland live music venues are fundamental in employing musicians, technicians, and venue staff, supporting a range of small businesses, and bringing us together to share a gig.

“As we head into a new year, it’s critical that Queensland’s live music venues are well-positioned to support our musicians and arts workers.”

She called the arts, cultural and creative sectors the “key to delivering our plan for economic recovery from COVID-19, each year injecting $8.5 billion into the state’s economy” and supporting more than 92,000 jobs for Queenslanders.

To date, the total investment in live music from the state government is $13.7 million since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tivoli

Round three came six weeks after Queensland-based music venues were allowed to return to trading at 100% capacity, to double-vaxed punters wearing masks.

Many had been existing on a 30% capacity, and some suffered trading declines as much as 80%.

John Collins, who runs The Triffid and The Fortitude Music Hall, admitted to TMN that without government funding for wages and wages, they probably would have gone under.

While there’s a growth in confidence in the sector that trade will be buoyant by end of the year, there is still the fear factor in patrons.

Collins revealed there are still 30% no-shows and refund requests.

Given the losses over the two years, he said, “It’ll take a couple of years, at least, to get back to where we were.”

It’s too late for Rumpus Room in the West End, which closes on February 26 after 16 years.

But means that the 500-capacity Zoo in Fortitude Valley, which received $60,000 in round three, can go ahead with renovations and plans to expand with an 80-seat bar and bottle shop.