Premier Mark McGowan has announced new measures from the State Government to assist live music events in Western Australia.
“We’ve expanded our support for the live music industry – giving organisers more certainty to put on shows in the current environment,” he announced on his Facebook page today.
“These changes to the Getting the Show Back on the Road+ program will reduce risks for organisers by enabling them to access financial support when shows need to be rescheduled.”
“Event organisers have confirmed this will mean a range of upcoming gigs which would have been cancelled will now go ahead, including: Midnight Oil; Crowded House; Hoodoo Gurus; Hunters and Collectors with James Reyne; Jimmy Barnes, Mondo Rock, Ian Moss; and Missy Higgins, Birds of Tokyo, and the Waifs.”
Mark McGowan thanked Live Events WA for their feedback which helped with the expansion of the program, saying it was “a great result for our local live events industry and all WA music fans.”
It follows on from Mark McGowan’s announcement of a $77 million Safe Transition Industry Support Package in February to help industries most impacted by the delayed border reopening and COVID-19 measures, including $13 million in targeted support for WA’s events sector.
The news will be welcomed by an industry where cancellations and postponements have persistently disrupted live events over the past two years. However many promoters, venues and ticket holders alike remain frustrated with the government, claiming the sector has been disproportionately disadvantaged by the delay in the border opening and Phase 2 restrictions such as capacity limits.
National festival By The C have responded to the news saying they were thrilled to announce they are now continuing with their Perth event, which was originally meant to happen this weekend, but is now rescheduled to Saturday, April 30 at Hillarys Beach Park.
“By The C Perth is rescheduled and ready rock,” the statement read. “We are thrilled to announce that By The C will be back on in Perth featuring Jimmy Barnes, Mondo Rock, Ian Moss, Vanessa Amorosi, 1927, and special guest Jon Stevens.”
Unfortunately the news will have less impact on planned international tours where it is more difficult to make scheduling changes. Highly anticipated tours from UK group London Grammar and New Zealand pop star Benee are just a couple of recently cancelled shows that are unlikely to return to Western Australia for some time.
Premier Mark McGowan has announced expanded support for live music and events in Western Australia. To find out more head to www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au
