Arabic version: ارتفاع التكاليف يضغط على الموسيقى الحية الإقليمية في ماونت غامبير

According to ABC News, venues and artists in Mount Gambier say rising costs, weaker alcohol sales and fewer touring opportunities are contributing to a decline in regional live music. Industry representatives say the pressures extend across regional Australia, while a national regional music summit is planned for Mount Gambier in October.

The Old Mount Gambier Gaol, which has become an events and accommodation venue since it was decommissioned in the 1990s, has hosted major acts including Hilltop Hoods, Missy Higgins and Jimmy Barnes during the 15 years James and Mel Stephenson have owned it. Mr Stephenson said large shows that once attracted up to 5,000 people had become harder to stage because expenses had risen sharply across artists, toilets, security, logistics, front-of-house services and staging.

Mr Stephenson said promoters increasingly decide that mounting regional shows is too difficult financially. He has also faced online criticism and personal attacks from locals disappointed that more gigs are not being secured. Across the road, Woolstore Brewery operator Kylie Ind said the move from smaller performances to the venue’s first festival this year brought costs that “grow astronomically”, making affordability and fair payment for performers a difficult balance.

Mount Gambier musician Liam Brown, who performs with Bradley Frost and Kyle Gleed in rock band Gernz, said opportunities were “sliding” as venues faced high event costs. MusicSA chief executive Christine Schloithe said transport, fuel and insurance costs, changing venue behaviour and the lingering effects of COVID had fragmented the regional scene. MusicSA says it has spent 12 to 18 months supporting venues and the touring corridor between Melbourne and Adelaide, with the upcoming summit intended to help identify further solutions.