Live music: It is time to speak up and show up. At gigs.

According to a report in today’s Sydney Morning Herald, declining attendance at live music events in Sydney will soon have significant economic implications - unless the government makes preserving live music a priority.

The revelation comes as submissions to a parliamentary enquiry into the state of live music in NSW start to be reviewed.

Unfortunately, this situation is something all too familiar in Newcastle, as exponential residential development, noise restrictions, and lock-out laws continue to adversely impact our night-time economy - in particular live music.

As an organisation dedicated to the hotel industry, the Australian Hotels Association wants to see a resurgence of live music in Newcastle, and as such, will be working alongside Newcastle City Council and other government and industry bodies to act before our city’s vibrant soundtrack becomes nothing more a whisper of background music.

But while we will do all we can to preserve and support our local live music industry, we also need your help.

As an audience, for decades we have been given the luxury of being able to head out pretty much anywhere in Newcastle to hear incredible bands.

In our city, singers standing up on stage and ready to entertain us has been a given for so long, that I wonder if we too are guilty of not supporting what we claim to love?

In our city, singers standing up on stage and ready to entertain us has been a given for so long, that I wonder if we too are guilty of not supporting what we claim to love?

It is easy to cast blame on the government, on politicians, and on regulators, but we too need to play a part if we are to save our city’s live music industry.

Local singers have been lending their voice to our night-time economy for as long as I can remember, and now it is time to repay what they have given us.

Now it is they, who need to hear our voice.

It is time to speak up, but most importantly, it is also time to show up. At gigs.

It is time to speak up, but most importantly, it is also time to show up. At gigs.

There are so many incredible bands and musicians ready to make Newcastle’s live music scene great again – but they need an audience.

They need you.

For every time you have gone out after a shitty day and lost yourself on the dance floor…

For every time you have laughed with your friends and sung along…

For every time you have shouted out 'Horses' and the band gave in and played it (you know who you are)…

It is time to return the favour.

Live music matters. Let’s protect what we love.

Nikki Taylor is Australian Hotels Association, Newcastle Hotels Representative

Images by Swamp House Photography