Newcastle Music Venues To Receive Boost through $24 Million Live Music Support Package

Eight live music venues in Newcastle are among 162 businesses to receive an injection of funds through the delivery of the NSW Government’s $24 million Live Music Support Package.

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The program supports NSW live music venues that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 related restrictions over the past year.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said the eight venues are an important creative and cultural part of the local visitor economy.

“Without a stage to perform on, and audiences to entertain, there are no creatives, artists or crew so the Live Music Support Package is a vital life-line for tens of thousands of people,” Mr Martin said.

“Live music venues come in all shapes and sizes, and this program delivered by the NSW Government has ensured that all needs are considered and the support is targeted and meaningful.

“We can’t wait to welcome live music back to Newcastle and invite visitors to come to the region to enjoy all of the local offerings.”

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the benefits of this initiative would be far-reaching.

“This is a fantastic outcome for the state’s live music industry with 162 venues to receive crucial funds that will allow them to keep the doors open and get back to work putting on gigs once again.

“Live music is the beating heart of our state and this is the largest investment into grassroots live music in the history of NSW.”

“We know that there is a whole network of businesses and professionals that are involved in staging live music shows, and many of these venues are pillars of their community and critical infrastructure that allows a whole range of events and activities to take place.

Applications were assessed by an industry and NSW Government inter-agency panel and funding allocated based on the size of individual venues, and whether the venue operates exclusively for live music or whether live music forms a significant part of the venue operations.

Recipients can utilise funding for operational costs including but not limited to employing musicians and support crew.

The Live Music Support Package is part of the NSW Government’s $51.5 million Tourism Support Package, providing funding to sectors engaged in the NSW visitor economy that have been hit hardest by the pandemic.

The fund is administered by Destination NSW in partnership with Create NSW and the Office of the 24-hour Economy Commissioner.

For more information, go to www.nsw.gov.au/living-nsw/tourism-support-package.

The eight venues in Newcastle are Kent Hotel, The Rogue Scholar, Cambridge Hotel, Lizotte’s Restaurant, Stockton Bowling Club, The Beach Hotel, The Newcastle Hotel and Bar on the Hill.