Stadium Ticket Levy Could Deliver $3 Million for NSW Music Scene

A proposed levy on tickets for major concerts in NSW could raise more than $3 million annually for grassroots live music venues, according to submissions to a parliamentary inquiry into the state’s live music industry.

The Australian Music Venues Foundation (AMVF), which represents grassroots music venues, has proposed a $1 levy on tickets sold for concerts with capacities above 5000 people at major venues including Qudos Bank Arena, Accor Stadium and Sydney Opera House.

The proposal was included in submissions ahead of a NSW parliamentary inquiry hearing on Monday examining challenges facing the live music sector.

The AMVF said a similar model had been implemented in Britain through the Music Venue Trust and LIVE Trust, which distributed £500,000 earlier this year to programs supporting artists, venues and touring initiatives.

“Based on this, the AMVF estimates a $1 levy could generate between $3 million and $3.15 million each year from five major Sydney venues alone,” the submission stated.

“This figure is likely an underestimate, as it does not include data from all eligible venues across the state.

“A simple analysis confirms that a modest $1 levy on tickets at major venues represents a multimillion-dollar opportunity to create a sustainable funding stream for the grassroots venues, promoters and artists.”

NSW Greens arts and night-time economy spokesperson Cate Faehrmann said concert-goers already faced multiple ticketing fees and argued multinational corporations should contribute more funding to the local industry.

“There’s already multiple hidden fees and charges in every single concert ticket sold – booking fees, infrastructure fees, service fees,” Faehrmann said.

“I don’t think concert-goers should have to fork out any more fees when Ticketek and Moshtix are both owned by global music giant Live Nation and making gazillions from the fees they’re already charging.”

AMVF chief executive Tam Boakes said the organisation would prefer artists to absorb the contribution.

“[Pop singer] Olivia Dean is touring this year, and she’s donating to us, which is that exact thing and a ticket says that ‘This donation is included’,” Boakes said.

Music NSW managing director Joe Muller said the levy could help reinvest money generated by major international tours into the local music industry.

“As algorithmic recommendations have changed the way that Australian audiences are engaging with local artists, I think it’s essential that we look to ways of investing in our local music ecosystem,” Muller said.