News

Backing gigs, musicians and festivals in the live music capital

The Victorian Government is backing local musicians, venues and festivals and keeping jobs and the economy pumping in the live music capital of Australia.

A $3 million boost for Victorian musicians, bands, venues and festivals will strengthen the industry and the jobs and communities it supports.

The latest round of 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund will fund 136 venues across the state to stage paid gigs by local artists.

Recipients include the iconic pubs, clubs and bandrooms that make Victoria great – like the Wesley Anne, Howler and The Tote – alongside unexpected spaces including Echuca Aquatic Reserve and Coal Creek Community Park & Museum.

The Live Music Festivals Fund, delivered by Music Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government, will support 11 festivals across the state with grants of up to $50,000 to help put on new or existing events.

These include Mount Martha First Peoples event Our Survival Day, LGBTQIA festival Gaytimes, Castlemaine’s Town Folk Festival, Phillip Island’s Ocean Sounds, Queenscliff Music Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and Riverboats Music Festival.

Music Works grants of more than $940,000 will back the careers of emerging and established artists, supporting them to create new music, tour and reach new audiences.

Among the 81 recipients are Warrnambool’s Find Your Voice Collective, musician and disability advocate Eliza Hull and First Peoples artist, DJ and producer DJ PGZ.

In addition, more artists will have opportunities to develop their careers through Multicultural Arts Victoria’s NEWPRINT program, which is designed to support artists, producers and creative workers from culturally and linguistically diverse communities to break into the music industry and take their careers to the next level.

Live music plays a crucial role in Victoria’s creative sector, while driving jobs and the economy. This latest round of grants will support not only the musicians on stage, but the crews behind them, as well as venue owners, hospitality staff and local businesses.

The grants are part of a $35.4 million package announced in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to support Victoria’s music industry at all levels, and in all parts of the state. Programs have been supported through the Community Support Fund and Creative Victoria.