Ipswich music venue Banshees Bar & Artspace will benefit as a recipient of the latest round of the Australian Government’s Live Music Australia program.
Banshees Bar will receive $7,150 toward an upgrade to the venue’s PA system, one of 74 live music venues to receive a share in $2.5 million under the latest round of the program.
Over the past four years, the program has delivered $20 million to live music venues, festivals and organisations in metro, regional and remote Australia – bringing more quality original Australian live music to eager audiences.
The funding will support venues across the breadth of Australia’s live music sector, from capital city stalwarts like The Tote (Melbourne), The Townie (Sydney), The Brightside (Brisbane) and The Rosemount (Perth); to outer regional locales including the Twyford Theatre and Hall (Merimbula, NSW), Darwin Community Arts and Valentino Safe Co (Lilydale, Tasmania).
The grants will go towards a range of activities, including sound and lighting equipment upgrades, artists fees, staff training, marketing and production costs – setting the stage for bigger and better events that showcase the best of original Australian music.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the pressures on the live music sector had been felt in Ipswich with the closure of Goleby’s Basement in June last year and in Brisbane this week with The Zoo holding its final show on Sunday and the latest round of the Live Music Australia program would provide a timely boost for the local music scene.
“The dedication and passion shown by the owners of Banshees Bar Tim Bray and Al Wheeler to nurture the local music scene has to be applauded and this grant is just one way the Government is helping to keep live music going strong and promoting Australian artists,” Mr Neumann said.
“Ipswich has a promising music scene with venues like Banshees championing local musicians. Our city has produced some amazing musicians from Colin “Smiley” Petersen of the Bee Gees to beatboxer Tom Thum and our initiatives like the Live Music Australia program are exactly what venues like Banshees need to keep fostering local talent.”
Banshees Bar & Artspace co-owner Tim Bray said the Live Music Australia program grant would bring Banshees Bar & Artspace one step closer to securing the venue’s future and the future of live, original music in Ipswich.
“The live music industry is in crisis right now, with many of our sister venues struggling and closing, leading to less opportunities for musicians to hone their craft and develop their careers,” he said.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the Albanese Labor Government recognised the importance of our live music scene.
“It’s no secret the live music sector is facing real challenges right now, and more investment is needed,” Minister Burke said.
“That’s why we recently announced $8.6 million in 2024-25 for the Revive Live program in the Federal Budget, to provide essential support to live music venues and festivals that showcase talented Australian bands and artists.
“Importantly, we’re also looking at ways to support the long-term sustainability of the sector, so more Australians get along to gigs and experience our world-class live music scene first hand, well into the future.”
Through Revive, the National Cultural Policy, the Government established Music Australia to support and promote the Australian contemporary music industry. It will invest to stimulate a vibrant and sustainable music industry ecosystem in which artists can thrive.
To view all grant recipients, visit www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/live-music-australia.
Live Music Australia program – key statistics
- Total funding delivered: $20 million
- Number of projects funded: 534
- Number of live music festivals supported in two targeted rounds: 73
- Projects staged in approx. 664 venues and locations across all states and territories.
