Live Music Revival: Venue Numbers Quadruple

From Cooma to Coogee and Marrickville to Murwillumbah, clubs across the state have joined a record 564 venues accessing the live music incentives. This is quadruple the 133 venues accessing the scheme before the Minns Labor Government came to office in March 2023 and delivered three rounds of vibrancy reforms.

Some venues have seen a dramatic uptick in gigs, including Coledale RSL which has gone from 72 to 150 annual music events — a 208 per cent increase.

“We always wanted live music at the centre of the night-time economy revival and I’m very pleased to see that’s what is happening,” said NSW Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham.

“To see the number of venues quadruple is a great sign our vibrancy reforms are working, and that there’s a great appetite for venues and fans for live music.”

The live music incentives support eligible venues with an 80 per cent discount on liquor licensing fees to reduce costs for businesses looking to host more live music, and an additional two hours of trade on nights they host live music (subject to DA) and an hour on every other night for venues in a Special Entertainment Precinct.

Eligible venues in metropolitan areas, including Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong, must host at least 10 gigs per month, with more flexible requirements in regional communities.

“It’s great to see our vibrancy reforms are striking the right chord with venue operators to reinvigorate the live music scene across NSW,” said NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris.

“There’s nothing quite like a night out catching a gig at your local with friends, and people in NSW now have four times the opportunity to do just that thanks to the measures this government has put in place. 

“It’s pleasing to see the positive impacts for premises, patrons and performers alike, while boosting employment opportunities and the NSW economy.”

Of the 564 live music venues registered with Liquor & Gaming NSW, 158 are in regional NSW with recent updates to the Vibrancy Reforms providing even greater support for regional venues.

In addition to the live music incentives the Minns Labor Government have delivered the following benefits for live music venues:

• Removed the final elements of the lockout laws, including the last drinks requirement. 
• Reformed the noise complaint system so single serial noise complaints can no longer lead to the shutdown of a music venue.
• Allowed venues to offer live entertainment without needing development approval in a range of contexts, including outdoors. 
• Switched off development consent conditions restricting licensed venues to certain music genres, the type or number of instruments, the number of musicians, the playing of original music and “no entertainment” clauses. 
• Introduced the Music Bill 2026 to create a live venue accreditation scheme so music venues can be identified and supported in the most effective way, including with grants and dispute mediation services. 
• Delivered capacity-building grant programs, including Venue Upgrade Grants and the Live Performance Venue Program, which have supported 155 live performance venues to become more fit-for-purpose with upgraded sound equipment, soundproofing and marketing to attract new audiences.