Victorian government promises 10-day music festival if re-elected

The Andrews Labor government has promised to stage a 10 day, state-wide music festival called Victoria Live if re-elected at this weekend’s state elections.

Victoria Live will showcase the best of what Melbourne and Victoria have to offer in terms of live music, events and talks, and local food, wine and craft beer.

It will include a mix of free and ticketed events at laneways, music venues and other locations within our arts precinct, as well as in greater Melbourne and regional Victoria.

The new 10-day festival will kick off in winter 2020 join the likes of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival on Victoria’s festival calendar.

Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said, “This huge festival will bring the best live music to every corner of Victoria – cementing our status as the music capital of the world and providing more opportunities for artists.

“It will fill venues across Victoria – from the laneways of Melbourne to regional pubs and clubs throughout the state – attracting visitors, boosting business and supporting thousands of local jobs.

“From tiny music venues, to our big cultural institutions, to our iconic laneways and trams, music will be well and truly in the air.”

The Victorian government’s $22.2 million Music Works investment package has come for high praise and envy at recent federal and NSW parliamentary inquiries.

It’s holding up its branding as the Creative State with 242,000 Victorians employed in our creative industries, and

17 million people attending at least one of the 73,000 live music gigs in Victoria last year alone.

The government contributed $208 million towards the first phase of “transforming the Melbourne Arts Precinct into one of the world’s greatest cultural and creative destinations.”

Over the halfway mark of its four-year creative industries strategy Creative State, launched two years ago, all 40 actions are completed or almost finalised.

The Music Market at the Collingwood Arts Precinct is set to open as a cluster of music associations and businesses.

In its election campaign, the opposition Liberal Nationals Coalition also has festivals in mind.

Shadow minister for arts and culture, Heidi Victoria says if elected, her government will establish and support a Community Arts Event and Festival Promotion Fund to assist small, community-led festivals and arts events in their marketing to attract more community support and patrons.

Festivals and music events in outer suburban and regional areas will also be supported so they grow and become permanent

Organisers will be able to use these funds for social media advertising, neighbouring area publications or even a small spot in the Melbourne tourism publications.

Shadow minister Heidi Victoria additionally told Artshub, “I’m a great believer in tourism led by arts and culture, and nurturing our creative talents across Victoria.

“This is a practical idea that will support organisers of community festivals and events in those challenging early stages.:

The coalition also promises significant investment in training, encouraging career pathways into the sector and ensuring regional music and arts communities be supported.

“We also need to work outside the traditional government silos.,” she said.

“Tourism, education, health, local government (and so many others) are intricately woven in to our sector and we need to embrace and encourage that.”