Dane Swan adds voice to fight for Melbourne’s live music scene

AFL champion Dane Swan says Melbourne has the best live music scene in the country and he’s pushing to save it by calling for crowds to return to venues.

Dane Swan with Luke Udorovic and Matt O’Gorman. Picture: Alex Coppel

AFL champion Dane Swan has joined the fight to save Melbourne’s live music venues.

The former Magpie and Brownlow Medallist, pictured with 170 Russell co-owner Luke Udorovic and British India drummer Matt O’Gorman, said: “It’s livelihood and jobs at stake, not just the artists, but people who run the venues.

“We don’t want to see venues closing down, because live music is one of the strongest things about Melbourne culture. Hands down, we have the best night-life and music scene in the country.

“You can argue weather and beaches in other cities, fair enough, but our food, night-life, live music and sport scenes are the best. Live music is the lifeblood of Melbourne. We need to get people back into venues.”

His comments follow an open letter, signed by 130 live music venues, calling for crowd caps to be increased at indoor non-seated venues. Venues are also worried about keeping people in jobs after JobKeeper ends on Sunday.

Mr Udorovic said: “It’s dire. The live music scene has been decimated for the last 12 to 18 months. With all the (post-COVID) reforms, nothing is improving for us.

“Our numbers haven’t increased, and it’s just impossible to trade.”

Footy legends and music fans Matthew Richardson and Bob Murphy are also set to join the Save Our Scene movement alongside Swan, venue owners and musicians.

Swan said his first-ever gig was Silverchair at Festival Hall. He said: “It was pretty hectic as a 15-year-old.”

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