Australia’s live music industry is receiving a much-needed boost, particularly in regional NSW, with targeted funding to help festivals and venues thrive amid ongoing challenges.
Through the Revive Live program, the Australian Government is providing $7.7 million in grants to support 110 organisations, including 61 festivals and 49 live music venues. This initiative will strengthen the local music industry, enabling festivals and venues to continue delivering unforgettable experiences, despite current market pressures.
The grants will empower recipients to improve their operations, adapt to evolving challenges, and bolster long-term sustainability. This support is particularly vital for regional communities, where live music not only contributes to the cultural fabric but also supports local economies and tourism.
In regional NSW, the funding is set to make a significant impact on the ground. Here are a few of the key recipients:
– West Best Bloc Fest 2025 (Dubbo): This festival will benefit from support for artist fees and technical upgrades, helping to bring live music to the heart of Central Western NSW.
– Warangesda Festival 2025 (Darlington Point): A First Nations festival in southern NSW, this event will celebrate Indigenous culture while receiving critical funding for artist fees and production costs.
– Nellijam Music Festival 2025 (Nelligen): Located on the South Coast, this festival will use the grant to cover artist fees, marketing, and production costs, providing much-needed support for local music.
– Girrakool Blues Festival 2026 (Central Coast): With funding for artist fees and staging costs, this festival will continue bringing the best in blues music to the region.
– Cobargo Folk Festival 2025 (Cobargo): As a major folk music event in southern NSW, this festival will benefit from funding for artist fees and accessibility upgrades, ensuring inclusivity and sustainability.
– River Sounds Festival 2025 (Bellingen): This festival, supported with funding for original Australian artist fees, is a vital contributor to the music scene on the Mid North Coast.
– Yours & Owls Festival 2025 (Wollongong): A long-standing festival in the Illawarra, the funding will cover artist fees, production, and accessibility improvements, ensuring it remains a major player in the region’s music calendar.
These festivals, along with many other venues and events across the country, will receive support to ensure they can continue operating and adapting to the challenging environment. A key focus of the Revive Live program is enhancing accessibility at venues, allowing more people with disabilities to participate as performers, arts workers, and audience members.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, emphasised the importance of this funding.
*”It’s no secret that the live music industry has been facing many challenges. Revive Live will alleviate some of the additional costs that festivals and venues are facing right now, ensuring artists are paid, venues stay open, and audiences can continue to enjoy live music into the future.”
Find out more about the Revive Live program and its recipients.
