Amy Shark: Gold Coast musician pleads with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk for music industry support

Gold Coast superstar Amy Shark is taking on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, issuing a plea for help to save one of the nation’s biggest industries.

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GOLD Coast superstar musician Amy Shark is taking on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, issuing a plea for help to save one of the nation’s biggest industries.

The singer, who currently holds the No. 1 spot on the ARIA charts with new single Cry Forever, made a late-night call for greater support for the music industry, which has been on its knees since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down live performances last year.

I wish you’d support the music industry like this @AnnastaciaMP we need help x https://t.co/XINspL5tCv

— Amy Shark (@amyshark) May 8, 2021

“I wish you’d support the music industry like this @AnnastaciaMP we need help x,” she tweeted on Saturday night.

The tweet was in response to Ms Palaszczuk and Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe posing up for a photo at Suncorp Stadium where the Queensland Reds won the Super Rugby title.

Amy Shark. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Queensland are the comeback kings! What a win @Reds_Rugby in front of 41,637 fans at Suncorp Stadium,” Ms Palaszczuk tweeted.

A spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk said the government had this week committed $1.3 million in funding to 21 live music venues across the state to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch made the announcement at the annual Queensland Music Awards.

“We recognise the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the arts and culture sector, and on indoor live music venues,” she said.

“That is why we have committed to supporting the industry with $22.5 million in funding through the Arts and Cultural Recovery Package.”

It comes weeks after some of Australia’s leading musicians called for greater support for the industry and an end to the “double standard” between restrictions for live music.

The Play Fair petition, launched by The Triffid’s John Collins and The Frotitude’s Brett Gibson has been backed by everyone from Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to former Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning.

It has already been signed by nearly 19,000 people since launching in April.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Tara Croser.

It asks Ms Palaszczuk to alleviate restrictions on live music venues, similar to what was done at Suncorp Stadium and The Gabba, saying Queensland’s live music scene wouldn’t survive 2021 under the current crowd restrictions.

The petition highlights the “unfair double standard” that saw large crowds attend the State of Origin at Suncorp Stadium while live music venues continue to operate at reduced capacity, meaning the venues struggle to cover costs for artists and staff.

Owner of social hub Miami Marketta and Play Fair campaign supporter Emma Milikins said the inconsistencies between music and sports events were frustrating them the most.

“The campaign focuses on the inconsistences between music events and sporting events,” Ms Milikins said.

“Our industry can not understand the difference between the two.

“Health officials say one is standing and one is seated, which makes no difference, as seated events are at full capacity with no 1.5m apart,” she said.

“Health officials say it is okay to dance but you have to do it at 1.5 metres,” she shrugged.

Ms Milikins said they have asked the government for help if they insist to restrict them.

“Grants have been very helpful but small private businesses like Miami Marketta are up against local government entities like The Arts Centre all vying for the same funding.

“We dont want handouts, we want to trade and make our own money to pay our bills but we can’t when we are 30 to 50 per cent capacity for music events,” she said.

Bulletin readers supported Ms Shark’s tweet with many insisting the restrictions be removed.

“Remove capacity limits for venues so we can support our musicians,” @lastnighton—earth said.

“Removing the one person per two metres capacity limit would be a good start.

“Small venues under 100m2 can not survive with 50 person capacities,” they said.

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