Time to get serious Sydney. support the reform of the regulation of Live Music....I worked in a cafe in Surry Hills earlier in the year. They had to pay thousands of dollars for their licence, just so they could have a piano player sing and play some acoustic songs!Meanwhile, next door was a bottle shop who didn't need a live music licence, yet blared out disco music all night at a much higher volume than the volume of the cafe. Is there any logic in this at all?
The current laws in Nsw/Sydney are anethma to development of a sustainable cultural landscape of Sydney. Liberalised laws have seen rapid change in both Melbourne and Brisbane - bring Sydney up to speed now!
I support this petition and I believe this reform is long overdue. It is vitally important for the future of live music in NSW, and Sydney in particular! Other states run their licencing effectively without discriminating against those establishments that wish to put on live music and employ musicians. In NSW it's ridiculous that a pub with 100 patrons watching State of Origin football is not required to have an entertainment permit, while another with 10 people listening to a pianist - must! Sydney's jazz musicians need to be 'showcased' - from the smallest cafe to the largest pub - they need to be 'seen and heard'! The current laws are outdated in what should be a vibrant city! It's not just a cultural disaster - tourist dollars are being lost too!
Sydney culture is slowly dying out. If we do not take drastic action now, then the bands and musicians that we love will be no more. We will become a shallow community that finds satisfaction in losing money in poker machines and gambling. Music is a source of cultural and social unity. Boosting the oppurtunities for live music will in turn boost culture, and enhance the Sydney lifestyle.
At first the melodic chime of the poker machine was pleasent, refreshing even, but no it has gone on long enough! either install live bands within the poker machine or rid sydney's bars of these insidious devices!
Sydney can do better than this. Its time to emphasise culture, art and community rather than the greed and soullessness expressed through cronie operated monopolies on bars. It is really sickening, when communities experience pokies not music. This system is wrong
Please change the entertainment laws to enable some culture to infiltrate this supposedly "international" city called Sydney. Visit New York (or even Melbourne for that matter) and you will find culture, arts and entertainment, the likes of which should be found in any large city, especially such a tourist mecca as Sydney. In the words of the intelligent and talented musician, Tim Freedman, "It's time Sydney grew up. Anything that gets people off the couch has got to be good, these days.....We need audio diversity." smh 21/04/06
At 56 live music is my energy source. It's my refuge from reality and the stolid existence of my peers. Tolerance is the key. If we could only show tolerance for each other's choices in life. Live music keeps me alive!
I think Paul Griffith hit it on the head when he says: 'Venues thought they would save(make)money by cutting out musicians (and replacing them with dodgy backing tracks)and perhaps they did so! But at the expense of their reputation for great LIVE music & entertainment...'
This is probably why I've heard many people say they'd rather go to see a DJ than a LIVE band. They may never have even SEEN a good band live!
It's going to take some time but with more support from the government and more opportunities for musicians to perform the overall standard of music making should increase and more people will start wanting to see LIVE music. (Not just U2 or the latest Idol winner!)
Why does Cuba have such an incredible reputation for live music and musical culture? Because music is seen as a very important part of their culture by their Government, and musicians and music education are heavily backed!
If we want to be seen as having a vibrant arts culture the government must support the arts! It's quite simple in theory... Hopefully the Government does not want Australia to be seen as a nation of thoughtless TV watchers and Sportspeople.
Worksafety legislation is always being pushed regarding insurance and tagging, which is Ok of you are a builder, but not if you work once an month as a muso and earn $100. Be more user friendly.
