Live Music Revival: Venue Numbers Quadruple

After near decimation during the lockout era, the NSW live music scene is experiencing a surge in venues offering live music and accessing vibrancy incentives including extended trading hours.

Pubs and clubs from Newcastle have joined a record 564 venues accessing live music incentives. This is quadruple the 133 venues accessing the scheme before the Minns Labor Government came to office in March 2023 and delivered three rounds of vibrancy reforms.

Member for Newcastle, Tim Crakanthorp said, “Newcastle has always been a place where live music thrives.”

Some venues have seen a dramatic uptick in gigs with Method Brewing in Islington increasing their annual number of gigs from 12 to 120, a 1000% increase.

The live music incentives support eligible venues with an 80% discount on liquor licensing fees to reduce costs for businesses looking to host more live music, and an additional two hours of trade on nights they host live music (subject to DA) and an hour on every other night for venues in a Special Entertainment Precinct.

Eligible venues in metropolitan areas, including Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong, must host at least 10 gigs per month, with more flexible requirements in regional communities.

“There are 25 Newcastle venues reaping the benefits of the NSW Government’s live music incentives. We are seeing more stages for artists to perform on and more shows for audiences to enjoy," claimed Tim Crakanthorp.

In addition to the live music incentives the Minns Labor Government have delivered the following benefits for live music venues:

• Removed the final elements of the lockout laws, including the last drinks requirement.

• Reformed noise complaint system so single serial noise complaints can no longer lead to the shutdown of a music venue.

• Allowed venues to offer live entertainment without needing development approval in a range of contexts, including outdoors.

• Switched off development consent conditions restricting licensed venues to certain music genres, the type or number of instruments, the number of musicians, the playing of original music and “no entertainment” clauses.

• Introduced the Music Bill 2026 to create a live venue accreditation scheme so music venues can be identified and supported in the most effective way, including with grants and dispute mediation services.

Delivered capacity-building grant programs, including Venue Upgrade Grants and the Live Performance Venue Program, which have supported 155 live performance venues to become more fit-for-purpose with upgraded sound equipment, soundproofing and marketing to attract new audiences.

NEWCASTLE VENUES ACCESSING LIVE MUSIC INCENTIVES

• Adamstown Bowling Club

• Beauford Hotel

• Bernie’s Bar

• Civic Theatre

• Customs House

• George Darby Hotel

• Grand Hotel

• Hamilton Station Hotel

• Honeysuckle Hotel

• Jam’s Karaoke

• Kent Hotel

• King Street

• Lass O’Gowrie Hotel

• Northern Star Hotel

• Oceane Hotel

• Oriental Hotel

• Prince of Wales Hotel

• Queens Wharf Brewery Hotel

• Royal Oak Hotel

• Seven Seas Hotel

• Stag & Hunter Hotel

• Stockton Bowling Club

• The Exchange Hotel

• The Rogue Scholar

• Wickham Park Hotel