Punters, musicians and venues stand to benefit from grants

Crucial funding for the live music industry has been announced to keep costs down for venue owners and ticket prices down for punters.

Cherry and Rusty Nyman at The Presynct

Cost of living measures to help more people enjoy live music have been announced by the state government today.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants aim to tackle the challenges to the public, musicians and venue owners by reducing costs for all.

LNP Member for Nicklin Marty Hunt said he was excited to announce that applications for round two of the Live Music Venue Business Grants and the Growing Gigs Fund were open.

Funding for venue upgrades and hiring bands will help keep ticket prices down in small venues for punters in a cost of living crisis.

This time, venues can access up to $100,000 to upgrade facilities, gear and more out of a $993,000 total pool.

The state government said boosting business viability for venues and opportunities for artists would allow more people to enjoy a night out without breaking their wallet, while also supporting the struggling arts scene.

MP Martin Hunt with Rusty Nyman at The Presynct

Rusty and Cherry Nyman are the mother and daughter duo and co-owners of independent live music venue The Presynct in Nambour.

Their venue, which they have built themselves as a haven for grassroots music, was a round one recipient of the grant and used the $18,750 to fit out the seating and stage to create an immersive experience.

“Entertainment options are the first thing to go out the window when cost of living bites,” Rusty said.

Funding like this allows them to keep ticket prices low without bankrupting themselves.

The grant allowed them to “put a lot more love” into their passion project driven by their love of “seeing people happy”.

Rusty said she loved seeing people connected by music and coming together as a community to enjoy a night out after increasingly rough weeks, especially in Nambour after the recent flooding.

Cherry and Rusty Nyman at The Presynct

Mr Hunt said that the live music sector was invaluable to Queensland’s economy.

“We want to grow our live music scene, especially here in Nambour’s special entertainment precinct,” he said.

The Presynct is the first venue within the precinct that has relaxed sound restrictions, one of only two in Queensland, the other being Fortitude Valley.

As a former live musician who had a second job as a police officer to make ends meet, Mr Hunt knows how tough it is for musicians at the best of times.

“Venues like the Presynct are absolutely vital for cultivating the next generation of emerging talent,” he said.

“I want people to be provided with a great night out that also supports the arts for generations to come.”

Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek said live music was crucial to boost the economy and connect communities across the state.

MP Martin Hunt with Cherry and Rusty Nyman at The Presynct

“We’re responding to the industry’s current challenges, including increased operating costs, and changing audience trends,” he said.

Night-Life Economy Commissioner John “JC” Collins AM said a thriving night-life economy was a crucial part of the state’s social and economic fabric.

“We know the damage the Covid epidemic and now the cost-of-living crisis have done to the live music scene, and despite the best efforts of the whole sector, it is still a struggle for many venues,” Mr Collins said.

“These grants will be the difference between the sound of music or the sound of silence for them.”

Applications for round two of the Live Music Venue Business Grants and the Growing Gigs Fund are now open to eligible venues until May 6.

Originally published as Punters, musicians and venues stand to benefit from grants