for one simple reason... at the end of the night, when I finish a show, I often have people come over to tell me how much they enjoyed the music and what a great time they had. They have been dancing and they are happy, smiling, uplifted, energetic. I have never seen anyone behave like this after a night of losing money on the pokies or watching a big-screen TV.
The availability of performance space in a commercial environment is essential to the organic development of artists and performers. Any regulation inhibiting such development, especislly when in stark disproportion to commercial interests of another kind, must be mitigated. Where opposition is put forth, especially from neighbouring residents, the decision making process must take into consideration the chronology of developments, and must not be skewed owing to financial or political interests.
As a foreigner living in Sydney it is quite apparent how Sydney fails to deliver a diverse mix of live music to it's residents and visitors. Maybe less 'after hours' hardcore clubs and more live music venues would be good for the city?
Its a crime in our society when poker machines are more valuable then our musicians who entertain and support the community, unlike poker machines that ruin the vulnerable.(Vulnerable people have families too). The gambling curse on an addicted person does untold damage to innocent children. Venues and the government should be held accountable for correcting the problem. Fund research into why people become addicted etc etc then provide support for the affected instead of the government and the clubs pocketing the profits only to build bigger and bigger club houses filled with more disgusting machines. The tobacco industry is bad for individuals but everyday poker machine poverty does untold psychological damage to families whose only crime is to have a poker machine addict vulnerable mum or dad.
Whereby music is by real people who have emotions and care, they build and strengthen communities not exploit them and suck them dry.
I am one of those working musicians that has seen a steady decline in live venues for a number of reasons. Too much red tape just gives venue operators another excuse to can live music.
It is not just the live scene suffering as a result of this. I am a live performing musician and have been for well over 15 years, I also own a recording studio and music school, they are suffering as well as younger musicians are less inspired as there is no way they feel they can get their music out there to be heard.
I am enraged at the state of the live scene and the fact that the government knows it is in crisis and have done very very little to even attempt to save it.
I definitely support this petition. Sydney, while lovely, has a lacklustre culture when it comes to music and the variety of live entertainment is minimal. So long now I have been waiting to go to a place where its cool to chill and enjoy time with friends while listening to great music on a regular basis. Quit stifling creativity with useless bureaucracy!
Becuase the NSW state goverment has sold out and neglected Live Music Entertainment driven by its lust and greed for Poker Machine Money. The result, a NSW criminal court system flooded with Poker Machine and Gambling related fruad and crime and a generation of clubs with limited entertainment and no soul....
Music is an art and a language that generally promotes wellbeing. If more people see it being made, then they may be inspired to do the same thing. We all have a favourite song ;-)
because music is a vital means of expression and communication . Our government should be supporting and encouraging activites which help us to grow and foster as individuals and a community. A life without music and culture is a dead life...
Good lifestyle and extra choice, creates a more positive population which helps improve productivity. Much better for the economy and our general health.
It's as if live music is the devil and the government doesn't want to let it out of hell. Live music rules, devil, angel or whatever - let it reign supreme.
. The current live music situation in NSW does not make sense. It's great we can support Australian sports in our pubs...wouldn't it be great if we could support Australian music too?
