The second Melbourne Live Music Census was taken on Saturday November 25 to assess the health of the live sector. It was pulled together by Music Victoria, City of Melbourne, City of Yarra, City of Port Phillip and students from COLLARTS and RMIT. 350 venues out of 460 were recorded. Project manager Dobe Newton tells us, “The amount of venues remained the same as in the first census in 2012, a healthy sign.”
These figures are essential, to provide the health card that will motivate government and councils to support the industry. These will also be presented at the international Music Cities Convention in Melbourne on Thursday April 19 and Friday April 20, to discuss and provide a global spotlight on Melbourne’s scene.
The Census needs more input from musicians, venue operators and audience members on their activities. There’ll be a prize pool for those who fill out the online survey at www.musicvictoria.com.au/mlmc.
The University of Edinburgh in Scotland did its own music census – and admits it took the idea from Melbourne. Additionally, last week the Scottish Government agreed to introduce the Agent of Change to protect its music venues from developers. This too was inspired by Victoria.
Brunswick is the Australian suburb where most songwriters live. So with all these songs written and set to be performed, where do you go? Music Victoria’s seminar Got Music? What Next? has six movers and shakers based in Brunswick to provide tips on how to get airplay, pitch for support slots, book gigs in local venues, get your records pressed and more.
They are The Spotted Mallard’s venue booker Justin Rudge, The Push’s creative director Kate Duncan, Zenith Records Pressing Plant director Paul Rigby, Triple R music coordinator Simon Winkler, HopeStreet Recordings label director Tristan Ludowyk and Howler venue booker Vanessa Bassili. It’s on Monday March 5 from 6.30 – 8pm at Brunswick Mechanics Institute. It’s free but you must register at www.musicvictoria.com.au.
A Belfast dude decided to buy two Red Hot Chili Peppers tickets for Valentine’s Day. Alas, he accidentally forked out $100 for the bagpipe tribute band Red Hot Chili Pipers. “A nightmare,” he said. We’re already salivating for the next Muse tour. Matt Bellamy says, “We’re going to do the biggest tour and blow people’s minds with stuff they’ve never seen before.” Will the Smashing Pumpkins reunion tour, their first since 2000 – kicking off in America in mid-July – make its way here?
Venues: The Retreat Hotel in Abbotsford on Nicholson Street is up for auction on Friday March 2 for $2.5 million. A decision is to be made this week on whether concert-hosting Sutton Grange Winery’s bid to increase capacity from 6000 to 15,000 to attract international acts is successful. Launching on Friday February 23 is the Albion Rooftop (172 York St), with a state-of-the-art sound system and a rare 5am weekend licence every Friday, courtesy Rocksteady Entertainment.
