VENUE AND TOURING NEWS
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Melbourne’s 2 am lockout: some get reprieve
Victoria’s state government has furiously vowed to overturn a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) temporary ruling that allowed 53 bar and club owners to ignore its 2 am lockout until they could launch a legal challenge. The lockout was to start this week as a three month trial in the Melbourne, Port Phillip, Yarra and Stonnington council areas.. But the venue operators took court action. VCAT agreed on the condition they doubled the amount of security they hired, and not do advertising or promotion that their venues are open after 2 am. More of the 469 venues affected could also get a reprieve as mediation returned to VCAT this week, according to Association of Liquor Licensees Melbourne president Carlo Colosimo. News of the original VCAT win last Friday came just as the Melbourne Locked Out rally met at Treasury Gardens and marched to the steps of Parliament. Various speakers emphasized to the large enthusiastic crowd (police estimated it at 3,000, organizers said 5,000) that the lockout would make Melbourne nightlife culture a laughing stock, and cause chaos as punters tried to get home before 2 am and after 5 am. They all emphasized a lockout was a “band aid” solution to a serious problem. Source: www.themusic.com.au
NSW pubs/clubs make money
Despite the moaning about loss of money after smoke bans, NSW’s pubs and clubs are making money, reports the “Sydney Morning Herald”. It says that figures released this week by the Bureau of Statistics showed that turnover reached $742 million in April, 15 per cent more than a year ago. The figures showed monthly turnover at NSW cafes and restaurants dropped 12 per cent in a year while takeaway food sales like McDonald's and KFC and small fish and chip shops - have risen 9 per cent in the past year. National retail sales fell 0.2 per cent in April, the third monthly fall in the year.
Source: www.themusic.com.au Splendour and Tooheys
In its second year, Tooheys Extra Dry's uncharTED gives the winner the chance to play at Splendour In The Grass festival - and is voted for by music fans. The unsigned act also recieves a 'do it yourself' indie music package including studio time, management mentoring and legal consultancy worth $20 000. Bands have already registered at www.uncharted.com.au
Source: www.themusic.com.au The Essential Guide To Touring the USA
Learn from key US players in this introductory masterclass. Participate in and interactive discussion and Q&A with some of the key people in music touring in the USA. This is an introductory course designed to cover the fundamentals of touring in the USA Why you should attend: - Hear from some of the key influencers in the touring space to help develop your strategy. - Gain a knowledge of how to maximise your income streams while on tour, while also learning about the costs and deals involved. - Understand who the key decision-makers in the live music sector are and how to reach them. - Receive direct advice, tips, do's and don'ts about getting tours organised in the US. - Get an idea of where the sector is going to you can prepare for the future. - Take part in detailed discussions of case studies relevant to your needs. - Get comprehensive take home notes to help you take the next step in planning a tour. - Network with others in the local music industry. Joining us live from LA: - The Troubadours Brian Smith, who is the main talent buyer/booker at this legendary Los Angeles venue. - The Agency Group International's Donovan Hebard, is a booking agent at this full service company's Los Angeles office. TAG represents such artists as Bloc Party, Nickelback, The Lemonheads, Feist and Blue King Brown. - BK Management's Brian Klein, a management and touring veteran who has worked with acts such as Stone Temple Pilots, Screaming Trees and Joe Purdy. - Warner Bros Records's Brandt Weil, is a tour marketing rep, overseeing promotions around the label's myriad of artists. Warner Bros artists include Linkin Park, Green Day and The White Stripes. - Austrade Los Angeles' Peter Cohen is best known from his work as an A&R rep with Sony Music, in management roles with a number of artists, and has extensive experience touring bands in North America. Date: 28th June 2008 Cost: Attendance Costs $50 Limited places - register now Register online today at www.australianmusicoffice.com, or call Austrade on 13 28 78 Locations and times - Adelaide 11:30am - 1:30pm - Brisbane 12:00pm - 2:00pm - Darwin 11:30am - 1:30pm - Melbourne 12:00pm - 2:00pm - Perth 10:00am - 12:00pm - Sydney 12:00pm - 2:00pm Who should attend? - Artists
- Managers
- Record labels
- Music publishers Brought to you by
www.australianmusicoffice.com Budget Helps New Acts Music Associations such as the Music Managers Forum have been lobbying the government both for tax rebates, which will increase corporate and private investment in acts and businesses, and to provide more tax breaks for musicians on welfare. Neither of these requests were addressed in the Government’s budget this week - the first by the ALP, which came into office late last year with Peter Garrett as Arts Minister. However, it allocated $1.7 million over four years to amend immigration regulationws which compel concert promoters to have at least one Australian support act on the bill during an international tour. The budget provided $2.4 million over the four years for the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (AMRAP), whose mail-out service independent labels and acts use to get their CDs to college radio stations. Since its setup in 2000, it has distributed 100,000 CDs. AMRAP’s funding was cut in 2005 by the Howard regime. The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia called it “a mixed bag for community broadcasters.” It also applauded the government for including community broadcasters in the first stage of the digital radio rollout, with funding of $11.2 million provided over three years, commencing in the 2009/10 financial year. But this causes a hole in the 2008/9 year when planning has to be done, and the CBAA plans to meet the appropriate ministers to see if some kind of “bridge” funding can be worked out. The Australia Council’s chief executive, Kathy Keele, says the Budget has “some very significant wins for the arts.” She cites two initiatives worth $11.8 million over four years which the Council will administer - to include an artist-in-residence program in schools and colleges, and to encourage arts companies to provide musicians and artists with showcase opportunities Source: www.themusic.com.au Sartor to OverhaulThe minister for planning, Frank Sartor, has tabled a bill to overhaul the Environmental Planning And Asssessment Act.It will abolish the POPE (place of public entertainment) process, which means venues wont have to spend thousands of dollars to modify their premises to fit in with tough rules to stage live acts. It would lead to a big increase in clubs and bars showcasing live music. Source: www.themusic.com.au Melbourne Nightclubs Challenge Lock-outAbout 300 nightclub owners and promoters have to work out how to battle the state government’s plan to bring in a trial 2am lockout from June 3. It was decided to set up an association of bar owners and licensees, and a fighting fund to fund a challenge in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. However, there seemed a split about how to achieve their goals. Some suggested the clubs should show responsibility by banning energy drinks, which are potent when mixed with spirits. Others called for a meeting with the government to explain that a 2am lockout would cause turmoil and that the $35 million to be used on the trial could be better used elsewhere to curb violence. Others aimed for a confrontational approach. Up in Geelong, club operators say if a late night lockout is introduced there, they’d stop using D scanners at the door and the two-way radio communication between clubs to stop troublemakers. Geelong Nightlife Association president Darren Holroyd said his association too would launch a VCAT appeal. Source: www.themusic.com.au In Sydney, however........
The NSW government is getting tough on the 23 roughest pubs/clubs in the state, demanding they explain why they should not lose their licences.This has been applauded by the state opposition, police and the hotel industry (sort of), reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell thinks the 3am lockout is the answer. Gaming and Racing Minister Graham West told Fairfax Radio the government was working with the venues to find solutions, like more security and security teams roaming the streets outside the clubs. The Australian Hotels Association (AHA)’s position is that a club curfew should be imposed case by case, and always in association with other strategies. Source: www.themusic.com.au Hexham Bowling Club Has A New Look
The Hexham Bowling Club near Newcastle is about to return to action after its $2 million renovation, which includes a new auditorium. It holds a concert on June 14th with Catherine Britt and Newcastle singer-songwriter Troy Kemp.
Source: www.themusic.com.au
Perth also to introduce lockout
The WA state government has indicated it will support police calls to introduce changes to liquor licensing law to introduce a lockout to Perth pubs and nightclubs after a 12 month trial. They will close two hours before their allotted hours. Smokers who step out of the venues to have a puff will not be allowed back in. Police, nightclub owners and council reps will meet next month to discuss.
Source: www.themusic.com.au
Melbourne's club community protests
A group of nightclub owners, djs, hospitality workers, event promoters, security companies and music fans have teamed up under the name Melbourne Locked Out (melbournelockedout.com) to protest against the state government’s trial of a 2am curfew. They claim it will ruin Melbourne’s vibrant nightlife. A peaceful protest rally is to be held on the steps of Parliament at 5 pm on May 30. They’re broadcasting the protest arguments over the radio waves, so you’re asked to bring with you a large battery powered radio boom-box so everyone can hear their voice and so they cannot shut the PA system down. Also wear all-white. According to Melbourne Locked Out, it has 100,000 members and its website had 30,000 hits over three days late last week.
Source: www.themusic.com.au
APRA deadline
If you’re not an APRA member, you have until June 30 to join to be eligible to claim your Live Performance Returns for the 07/08 year.
www.apra.com.au.
Protest over Byron hall closure
Byron Bay’s music community protested the decision by Coorabell Hall to turn off amplified bands after noise protests from a recently arrived resident. The Move, whose Friday night gig had been cancelled, turned up to play anyway and put their performance on YouTube, musicians have been camping on a makeshift bed inside the hall, and 80 held a drum circle outside the place and then staged a sit-in. Police were called but the sit-in finished by the time they arrived. A petition is also at Bay FM studios.
Source: www.themusic.com.au
Queensbridge opens up in Melbourne
Queensbridge is a new 1600-capacity room in Melbourne with a near-amphitheatre look. It was a dance-style room for ages when it was QBH’s mezzanine level. It’s got four bars and set up for live concerts.
Long time booker Owen Orford is looking after it and contacted at owen@superiorit.net.au
Source: www.themusic.com.au
The British Council's Realise Your Dream competition
The Realise Your Dream Competition is a professional development award open to all Australians aged
under-30 who are involved in creative industries.
Winning candidates will be flown to the UK to work with a mentor, and
even get $8,000 to help live the dream.
To go into the running,applicants need to demonstrate their creative potential, and tell us how
they'll benefit by connecting with Britain's best. If they're a winner,
we'll help organise a personally tailored work experience programme with
a leader in their field, such as an independant record label.
For more information visit our website at www.realiseyourdream.org.au or
email realiseyourdream@britishcouncil.org.au with any questions.
Applications close 31 July 2008
Source: http://www.indent.net.au/news/?id=241
TAKE A SEAT AT THE GAELIC
The Gaelic in Surry Hills has bought 200 seats, and can now do theatre style events. The club's mezzanine level will be turned into a Cocktail Bar for these nights. It means the Gaelic can introduce jazz & blues, roots and acoustic shows.
Source: http://www.themusic.com.au/
MELBOURNE TRIALS LATE NIGHT LOCKOUT
In an attempt to cut down alcohol-fueled violence, venues in Melbourne will be trialing a 2am lockout. Over 500 late night licence holders will stop new patrons from entering after 2am. Once patrons leave the club, they cannot get back in, even if it is just for a cigarette. The lockout will last for five hours, by which time the drunks have either sobered up or have gone home. The state government also will have a 12-month clamp on new late night club licenses being granted in three council areas.
The reason behind this? It is estimated that 47% of people who start brawls are drunk….. and 43% of their victims are also drunk.
Source: http://www.themusic.com.au/
CONRAD JUPITERS GOES THEATRE
Conrad Jupiters is giving up in-house entertainment and turning itself into a venue for music theatre. The first production at the 1,000-capacity Jupiters Theatre will be "The Merchant of Bollywood" from Mumbai, India, July 1 to October 19.
Source: http://www.themusic.com.au/
DADA OPENS FOR LIVE BANDSDada Records in Perth has opened its doors to live bands for the first time in ten years. Joe Bludge and Mink Mussel Creek played there on the weekend.
Source: http://www.themusic.com.au/
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