“King Street is going gangbusters...": Mayor Darcy Byrne on plans to expand live music in Sydney’s inner west

In recent times, Sydney’s inner west has started to thrive creatively, with high profile venue operator Matt Rule recently telling TMN that the scene has never been stronger in the last 20 years - despite the fact that local venues like Newtown Social Club are failing to survive.

Now comes a plan that could see an explosion of live music venues in the area that already boasts a diversity of music spaces that matches the diversity of its inhabitants.

It will test the waters on the King Street precinct in the suburb of Newtown, before expanding the idea.

Inner West Council this week unanimously voted to “investigate legalising arts and music in all cafes, restaurants, retail shops and main street premises on King Street in Newtown”, according to posting of Mayor Darcy Byrne, a longtime live music supporter. 

“King Street is going gangbusters but I want to cement its place as one of Australia’s premier arts and cultural hubs,” Byrne

But to make the plan more effective, Byrne will be asking Clover Moore and the City of Sydney to work alongside as part of Newtown’s King Street also falls under its jurisdiction. 

The idea is to make it easier for businesses to start and thrive by working under one set of regulations, rather than two, as is often the case. 

He explains, “By allowing businesses there to host small-scale live music, theatre, and exhibitions without the need for a development application we can breathe new life into the arts sector in our city… King Street first, next, the whole of the Inner West.

“We will also be partnering with the City of Sydney to investigate allowing late retail trading for businesses there.”