The music community is firing back full force against NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and the state government, following what some festivals have called a “war on festivals”, and now there’s a rally being held so you can demand change if you feel like it too.
Don’t Kill Live Music is an initiative that has tons of support from Aussie musicians, festivals and more. Just some of the signatories include Amy Shark, The Amity Affliction, Courtney Barnett, The Presets, Vance Joy, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Ruby Fields and basically anyone who is anyone in Australian music.
The organisation has scheduled a rally to take place in Sydney’s Hyde Park on Thursday, 21st February from 6pm – 8pm.
In an open letter to “music and culture lovers of Australia”, the organisation explained why they’re putting on this rally.
“Overbearing regulation, exorbitant police bills, a lack of respect for NSW businesses, and very little recognition of the significant positive impacts of music on our communities is forcing music out of NSW,” the letter reads. “The State Government have declared a war on music and culture in NSW, proclaiming that music, and music festivals are high risk activities.”
“The NSW State Government is vilifying live music with knee-jerk regulation. Instead of consulting with festival experts, the NSW Government imposed punitive regulation that specifically targets music festivals, and music fans. Festivals are being used as a scapegoat for years of failed drug and alcohol policy.”
“We want our music culture to be safe and inclusive. Onerous and ill-considered regulation will not save lives. And the State Government is decimating our music culture in the process.”
On top of the rally, a petition has also been started to demand change and has over 13,000 signatures already.
This comes after the cancellation of NSW’s Mountain Sounds Festival, which caused outrage by many bodies including EDM duo Peking Duk, who wrote a scathing statement calling for fans to vote Gladys Berejiklian and the NSW government out this upcoming election.
Find more info about the rally here.
