I've just moved back to Syd after 8 yrs in Melb where I played live music in a myriad of small licensed venues - where people drank *responsibly*. I am ready to explore opening of small 'hole-in-the-wall' music venues here in Syd as soon as the NSW liq licensing laws awaken from the draconian AHA-quashed dark ages. Small, sometimes quirky, acts will play to niche audiences and our culture will breathe again. You will dig it. No 'pack them to the rafters' pub mentality; no big-screen static; no need for aggressive bouncers. Watch a lane-way in Syd near you.
I'VE BEEN A PASSIONATE SUPPORTER OF LIVE MUSIC SINCE 1974& I'VE SEEN MANY UPS & DOWNS BUT NOT LIKE THIS,NOT WHEN WE SHOULD BE FOSTERING LOCAL TALENT -WE HAVE SUPERB ARTISTS NOW ,BUT WITH LITTLE SUPPORT, - WE LET THEM WITHER ON THE VINE -IT'S A REAL SHAME
I've come to live in Australia not only because I love my wife,but because I first came here for a tour in 1995 and returned in 2001 to find a burgeoning music scene that is exciting for the future of music here.A lot of talented singers,writers,players and beatmakers need the support and an outlet for their creativity.PLEASE DON'T STIFLE THIS WITH NITPICKING. TAKE MORE OF AN INTEREST IN CULTURE.What? You say you can't make money from these bums? How much tax did you take from ummm let's say Jet last year for example? Should I rest my case?
Music is the food of love, the symbol of culture of expression of vulnerability, of celebration, of what it is to be human. Don't let gambling pokies/horse races dominate this space.
Live music makes the local a better place to be. There is nothing more sad than to walk into a bar, only to hear the sound of pokies and the distorted call of the next horse race. Never do you see the face of a happy person in this senario.
There is a better alternative!
As an ex-melburian, I find NSW's liquor licensing baffling at the best of times. I'm kind of used to not being able to buy a glass of wine without a meal now, but the ongoing persecution of live music and bolstering of gaming machine/culture is crazy. Politicians obviously don't frequent the places I do to think this is not an issue.
From an economic perspective the government should be supporting the positive aspects of the breed ing ground for a competitive Australian music industry rather than once again using short term rationalisation and seeing no link between todays gambling profits and tomorrows social costs (huge).
