17/02/2022
They are lifting all capacity restrictions in Victoria again, from 6pm tomorrow.
We are both relieved and shattered.
These density limits and ban on dance floors - six weeks with no financial support and no communication from Government - was the worst yet for our sector.
Gigs were cancelled, audiences simply did not turn up to shows, ticket sales for future shows stopped dead. But the rent and the bills didn’t stop - not for venues, not for our staff, not for musicians.
Watching major events like the tennis and Live at The Bowl go ahead when a 150 capacity Bandroom or a 500 capacity club couldn’t trade was a huge kick in the teeth.
How did they expect us to survive?
And how do we recover, knowing it will happen again?
This pandemic is not over. With every new wave or surge, our sector is hit hardest. The first to close and the last to reopen, now impacted by long-term industry confidence and resilience problems.
Save Our Scene has previously engaged in constructive consultation with the Government, but has not had a formal consultation since October 2021. Our industry is being forgotten. We need a regular music industry forum with the Government - including the Health Department, that holds our fate in their hands - to navigate this ongoing pandemic.
We are calling on the Victorian Government to establish a Live Music Forum now, so that Victoria’s vibrant music scenes does not die a death of a thousand cuts.
It’s a rough road ahead.
Let’s keep the music alive.
