The $277,000 Funding Lifeline For Sydney Music Venues

Sydney’s small music venues have received a financial boost, with three music venues sharing around $276,900 in funding through the Revive Live program, to encourage live gigs on stage.

“From the punk rock sounds blasting out of run down, ceramic tiled pubs in the 1980s, to the eclectic vibes reverberating from Sydney’s more intimate, more accessible spaces in the 2020’s, live music has been central to our city’s dynamic character,” said Federal Member for Sydney, Tanya Plibersek.

“Sydney’s live music scene survives on the energy and creativity of the people who invest their heart and souls in these venues but faced with the present challenges, they need our support.”

The Metro Theatre in the CBD, Moshpit in Erskineville, and The Vanguard in Newtown have garnered support through the Albanese Government’s Revive Live program, which aims to assist 105 organisations across the country.

Revive Live

Revive Live was established in the 2024- 2025 Budget as a component of the government’s National Cultural Policy, known as Revive. This policy recognises music as an essential element of Australia’s cultural life, rather than an add-on.

As part of its policy, the government has established Music Australia within Creative Australia, with more than $69 million in new funding to support contemporary Australian music and increase its visibility. This initiative will help local artists reach new audiences and markets worldwide.

“We understand the challenges contributing to cancellations and closures among the live music scene, that’s why the Albanese Labor Government established Revive Live, to provide targeted support,” said Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke.

Metro Theatre, Moshpit Bar, and the Vanguard are financially insured to keep their stage lights on

The Metro Theatre, which has hosted local and international artists, is expected to receive about $143,000, with the money going towards artist fees and equipment upgrades, enabling the venue to continue booking their audience-engaging performances.

In Erskineville, Moshpit Bar, a dive bar known for its local bands and loyal regulars, has been granted around $64,000. The funding will go towards new gear, establishment improvements, and accessibility additions.

“We feel very lucky to have been allocated any funding at all. Smaller venues like the Moshpit, you know, we’re only a 100-person capacity. We wouldn’t survive without these sorts of grants,” said co-owner and director of Moshpit Bar, Patrick Jones.

“There’s an incredible high turnover of things that break down. Whether it be air conditioners or ice machines, or stage equipment…We had a grant quite recently, the Sound New South Wales one, where we were able to replace our tap beer cooling system that had broken down, and we just couldn’t afford to buy one. This funding is essential for venues like ours,” said Jones.

The $64,340 worth of funding will go towards Moshpit’s new gear, establishment improvements, and accessibility additions.

The Vanguard in Newtown has performed a variety of music genres, from jazz to rock, with full-band shows held on King Street. The venue will receive just under $70,000. That support is set to cover fees for Australian original artists as well as equipment, marketing, production, and accessibility costs, allowing the Vanguard to keep giving a stage to performers.

“Venue and festival owners across Australia have told me that Revive Live has provided the support they need to continue hosting and promoting live music,” said Burke.

“Whether they’re more established venues like the Metro Theatre or the Vanguard or relative newcomers like the Moshpit Bar, their survival is crucial for our local artists and for our wider community,” said Plibersek. “This funding… also supports hundreds of jobs and nearby businesses.”