Adelaide is moving forward with new live music laws which will cut red tape and allow businesses like cafés and book shops to host live music without needing approval, putting the city at the forefront of Australia’s live music policy.
In a move to help revitalise South Australia, Premier Jay Weatherill and Adelaide City Council Lord Mayor Martin Haese have announced a 90-day project to streamline live music regulation before the end of the year. The project will allow “low risk” live music to be performed in both licensed and unlicensed venues, and will remove restrictions on genre and the musical instruments involved.
While South Australia’s Music Development Office doesn’t specify exactly what is considered “low risk” live music, it says, “The precise definition of ‘low risk’ entertainment in this context will need to be carefully considered to achieve the intended benefits.”
Mr Weatherill says the streamlined laws are crucial to Adelaide’s future as a city of music. “A vibrant city needs a thriving live music scene, and these changes significantly cut red tape, making it cheaper and easier for venues to host live music,” he says.
The 90-day project will see Adelaide City Council help support venues that want to host gigs, with the creation of a grants program and other reforms also in the pipeline to help reduce costs for businesses when acoustic assessments are needed.
Australian Hotels Association General Manager Ian Horne says, “Anything that removes barriers for venues hosting live music and encourages opportunities for more live music is good for the venue, the band or artists, the audience and also benefits the South Australian economy.”
The recent Adelaide Live Music Census found a 14.4 per cent increase in live music gigs and a 32.4 per cent increase in venues offering live music in Adelaide between May 2015 and May 2016.
Adelaide’s live music reform project involved the State Government, Music Development Office, Australian Hotels Association, Local Government Association, Live Music Office, SA Police and the Environment Protection Authority, as well as venue owners and operators, community groups and the local music industry.
For more information about the streamlined live music regulations, head to the South Australia Music Development Office’s website.
