Research Shows Strong Live Music Demand Despite Cost Of Living Pressures

Australians are spending more on concerts but prioritising shows at major venues over clubs and pubs, live music research delivered by Creative Australia has revealed.

The report, which surveyed a sample of Australians above the age of 14, reveals an overall increase in spending and attendance for live music, but declining attendance at smaller venues.

Other key findings of the report include that:

• 92% of Australians say live music events have a big or very big impact on their sense of wellbeing and happiness
• Most music-engaged respondents attend 3-5 live music events per year
• 51% say they’d like to attend more local gigs, but don’t know where to find out about them
• Almost three quarters (72%) saved up money to attend one or more major live music events in the past 12 months

Listening in: Insights on live music attendance was released last Tuesday by Creative Australia, the Australian Government’s arts council. It was the first in a series of three reports in collaboration with music organisations Music Australia, The Push, and Untitled Group, and media organisation The Daily Aus.

Industry bodies celebrate findings

Leaders in Australia’s live music industry have responded to the report’s findings by focusing on the resilience of live music attendance despite cost-of-living pressures.

Music Australia Director Millie Millgate has highlighted the significance of Australians continuing to spend on live music events.

“We know Australians value live music, and they continue to seek out the chance to experience it, even when times are tough.”

“People still save for gigs that matter to them, showing there’s still strong appetite for live music – especially experiences that feel rare and bring people together.”

Untitled Group Co-Founder & Managing Partner Michael Christidis echoed Millgate’s sentiments: “This research confirms what we experience on the ground: even in tough economic times, people prioritise live music for its emotional and social value.”

“It’s a call to action for the industry to ensure that live music remains a shared, accessible cultural experience.”

Local artists dealing with falling attendance at smaller venues

The research shows that while the number of Australians attending live music has increased as a total number, attendance at smaller venues like pubs and clubs has decreased since 2019.

This trend particularly affects Australian musicians, as concert attendees are significantly more likely to see local artists than international artists at smaller shows. In the report, 59% of music-engaged survey respondents had seen an Australian band in a small venue compared to 34% seeing an international band.

Kimberley Wheeler, a folk musician and Federal President of Musicians for the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, is strongly disappointed in the findings.

“They’re actually devastating,” Ms Wheeler told City Hub. “It is a really dire time for us (Australian musicians).”

Ms Wheeler addressed the significance of smaller venues to Australian artists.

“They (smaller venues) are accessible to everyday musicians. There are people who might start in small venues, but there’s also a really good chunk of the grassroots, that’s all they’re doing. They’re only doing grassroots venues, and that’s how they make their living,” Ms Wheeler said.

“What I’d like to see is proper research into what it is to be a musician and who’s part of that industry?”

There are several government policy initiatives that Ms Wheeler would like to see implemented.

“Things like a national gig guide, so that people who are interested can easily find out what’s on. And some content quotas. We used to have content quotas and they were huge in driving demand for local artists.”

Ms Wheeler also supports mandating Michael’s Rule (all international acts having a local support act), enquiries into both vertical monopolies within the music industry, and implications of streaming platforms for creators.

Sydney council reviewing community feedback on live music initiative

The NSW Government has been responding to downward trends in attendance at smaller venues through its ‘Special Entertainment Precinct’ (SEP) policy, in collaboration with inner-Sydney councils. The policy aims to offer incentives for venues to put on live music and streamline regulations.

The Inner West Council announced Enmore Road as a SEP in June last year after a two-year trial, announcing in July that six additional locations would receive this designation. The council is currently reviewing community feedback on these.