NSW Government expands Live And Local scheme to eight regional towns

The NSW Government is spending $150,000 to expand its Live And Local scheme to the bush for the first time. 

Regional towns Orange, Newcastle, Tenterfield, Tweed Shire, Wagga Wagga, Kempsey, Armidale and Mudgee will use their share of the funding pool to stage shows in 2017 and 2018 in streets, parks, and businesses, including a bike store and a butcher’s shop. 

The Government says the scheme will forge closer relationships between local musicians and businesses, benefit local retailers and find new audiences for local bands.

Minister for the Arts Don Harwin hailed this as another example of the Government’s commitment to develop arts and culture across regional NSW.

“It’s fantastic that we are able to take this program to the bush to improve opportunities for the promotion of live music across our state,” he said. 

“This is a great initiative where councils can offer local artists a platform to be heard. 

"From school bands to rock bands, locals will be entertained by locals for free.

“After our events in Parramatta, Camden and Wollondilly dating back to last year, I’m delighted that we are able to widen the net to help grow live music in regional NSW.”

The funding of up to $20,000 each is administered by the Sydney-based Live Music Office (LMO) on behalf of Create NSW and is used to cover the cost of fees for musicians, curators and technicians.

The various Regional NSW councils worked with the LMO on setting up an advisory committee or nominating local government staff to create a music event using the Live and Local model.

Councils were also asked to offer any associated audience engagement and music industry development strategies to support musicians in their region. 

Live Music Office Director John Wardle said these funding rounds build collaborations and capacity across the industry and government, as a range of sector organisations are now working closely together to coordinate support for these councils and events.

“To see such a fantastic mix of councils across NSW now preparing to activate their streetscapes and businesses with diverse artists and celebrate the music made in their towns is genuinely exciting,” Wardle said.

“Everyone involved in putting this together is so enthusiastic about what we are going to see as these events take place and beyond.”

A further five Western Sydney councils will be supported with $100,000 through the second year of funding. Liverpool, Cumberland, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Campbelltown will all host micro music festivals following last year’s inaugural success. 

Two events, to be held at Blacktown and Fairfield, are still come from the first year of funding.