Today Music SA and the Live Music Office release the findings of the 2016 Adelaide Live Music Census, which offers a snapshot of live music activity in May 2016 and compares it to the same study undertaken in May of 2015.

The findings revealed a 14.4 % increase in live music gigs and a 32.4% increase in venues offering live music between May 2015 and May 2016, which delighted Music SA, South Australia’s not for profit organisation that champions original contemporary South Australian music.

In both years the research has been a best effort exercise to capture as many gigs as possible, and provides an indication of the state of play, and the least of what happened during the month of May.

With more strategic policy delivery and regulatory reform on the horizon, including an announcement soon about the State Government’s 90 Day Change Project, Music SA and The Live Music Office hope to see the upward trend continue. Music SA General Manager Lisa Bishop said:

“With further planned improvements to live music regulation we foresee a sustainability that will demonstrate the importance of live music as an industry that drives South Australia’s economic transformation.”

The live music industry has been identified as an important part of South Australia’s economy, not just now but in the future. Arts Minister Jack Snelling noted that in 2014, the live music scene con- tributed $263.7 million to South Australia’s economy, while nationally the industry brought approxi- mately $15.7 billion to the economy and an estimated 65,000 full and part-time jobs.

On top of these changes to Liquor Licensing, The Live Music Office is currently advocating for De- velopment Regulations to be amended to exclude ‘low risk’ live music and performance from being considered development. As it stands, this has been identified as a major hurdle to small bars host- ing live music. Ms Bishop goes on to say:

“There’s never been a better time for audiences to enjoy live music and for the industry to get behind significant live music gig initiatives such as Umbrella Winter City Sounds, the ACC’s Live Music Ac- tion Plan, the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Guitars in Bars, and the SA Tourism Commission’s Live Music Events Fund. We are truly a UNESCO City of Music and we are open for business!”

Ian Horne, General Manager of the Australian Hotels Association (SA Branch) was delighted with the results of the latest survey, “With 82% of all live music gigs played in a hotel, South Australian hotels continue to be loud and proud supporters of live music and this of course is good for the music in- dustry, the hotel industry, jobs and the State.”

In May 2016 Music SA undertook a census of live music of licensed premises in greater Adelaide, to take a snapshot of the state of play. Compiled by Music SA staff, the data was gathered from venue websites and social media pages, and various gig guides online and in printed form. Further infor- mation was sourced through word of mouth, working the phones, as well as Music SA and industry contacts. The Live Music Office provided assistance for the project.

HIGHLIGHTS:
2016 2015

  • 1101 gigs were presented
  • 208 venues hosted live music
  • Hotels provided 899 gigs across 153 venues – (81.6% of gigs and 73.5% of venues)
  • There were 23 gigs across 6 Entertain- ment Venues, 47 gigs in 13 Clubs, and 36 gigs in 6 Restaurants
  • Only 2 small venue licences had live mu- sic, hosting 4 gigs across the month. This category of liquor licence was introduced in 2013 to support the development of the live music sector in South Australia
  • Gigs were 33% original and 67% covers
  • The suburb of Adelaide provided the most live music
  • 14 of the Special Circumstances Licences were HotelsDisclaimer:

• 962 gigs were presented

• 157 venues hosted live music

• Hotels provided 769 gigs across 108 venues – (79.9% of gigs and 68.7% of venues)

• There were 17 gigs across 3 Entertainment Venues, 39 gigs in 8 Clubs, and 17 gigs in 6 Restaurants

• Only 1 small venue licence had live music, host- ing 3 gigs across the month. (0.3% of gigs and 0.5% of venues). This category of liquor licence was introduced in 2013 to support the develop- ment of the live music sector in South Australia

• Gigs were 30% original and 70% covers
• Adelaide City provided the most live music

• 11 of the Special Circumstances Licences were Hotels.

The survey made no attempt to uncover reasons for the increase. It may be partially attributable to the removal of Entertainment Consent, an improvement in Music SA methodology that identified ad- ditional venues in additional suburbs, and/or increase in the number of venues advertising online and in gig guides. Even though there was one less Saturday in May 2016 compared to May 2015 these results are showing on overall increase in gigs and venues.

Organisations involved:

Music SA champions original contemporary music in South Australia. Music SA is a not for profit organisation who have, for the last 19 years, been helping to build a thriving, sustainable and global- ly-acknowledged music industry in our state.

Live Music Office works to increase opportunities for live music in Australia by identifying and ad- vocating for better policy, regulation and strategy. Established by the Federal Government, in part- nership with APRA AMCOS, the scope includes planning, licensing and regulatory policies, as well as cultural, audience and market development strategies.

Click here for Adelaide Live Music Census 2016>Adelaide Live Music Census 2016