On The Music Scene
Make a decision that means something... Please
When Premier Dominic Perrottet announced in early January that we were once again living in the tiny town from Footloose; no singing and no dancing, along with other restrictions, the whole live music industry collectively screamed WHAT THE ACTUAL......!
This was followed by an announcement that funding is available for events that have had to postpone or cancel because
of public health orders. It's a seemingly iniquitous phrase with a big impact. As much as it sounds like a lifeline for an industry that has kept on fighting for two years but is on its knees, it's not really. Most of the events that have had to be cancelled have made the decision themselves for the safety of the punters and their staff. This means they cannot meet the criteria and are not eligible for anything.
As a promoter, it would be an impossible choice. Do you go ahead with the show you have spent months planning, that is supplying work for a whole range of people who have had their entire livelihood balancing on a knife's edge and risk not only people's health but your brand being named a super spreader event all over the national news.
There is no government order explicitly telling you not to put on the show. Instead, you need to tell your staff to run around asking people not to sing or dance at a live music event, and you need to put measures in place that cost time and money and limit numbers. All of which cuts into any chance of you being able to make a profit on the show.
The other option is to cancel with the weight of those things on your shoulders. But with no specific health orders in place,
there is no relief for you or the hundreds of people hoping that this show would finally be the one to go ahead.
Thanks for the lifeline, I guess.
