Bellarine live music gets a tune-up

THE Victorian government has announced an almost $4 million boost for the state’s live music industry, with funding going to venues, musicians and festivals across the region.

Bellarine MP Alison Marchant last Friday announced the local recipients of three state government grant programs, each aimed at bolstering Victoria’s live music sector and supporting its creative workforce.

Afterwards, she stopped by Queenscliff’s The Blues Train – a rolling music festival on a heritage steam train and one of more than 140 live music venues across the state to secure funding in the first round of the Victorian Gig Fund.

The Blues Train, which launched for the season earlier this month, will receive $10,000 through the program, which will be put toward artist fees and providing the region’s emerging talent with opportunities to perform live.

Other music venues awarded grants include Barwon Heads Hotel, Ocean Grove Hotel, Queenscliff Brewhouse and Queenscliff Town Hall.

More than 20 Victorian music festivals are also set to receive funding of up to 50,000 to help them stage new or existing events through the Live Music Festivals Fund.

Local recipients include the coming Queenscliff Music Festival, which is set to take place between November 22 and 24.

“This vital investment is a testament to the incredible musical talent in the Bellarine, ensuring local artists and venues continue to thrive and share their passion for music with audiences across Victoria,” Ms Marchant said.

As part of the package, the GRID Series artist development program will return for a second year to provide the next cohort of up-and-comers with a range of resources and access to industry experts to help build and empower their craft.

Former GRID series participant Wild Gloriosa is also one of 600 music industry professionals to receive support in the latest round of the Music Works grant program, which aims to give emerging and established artists the opportunity to take the next step in their careers.

Wild Gloriosa will receive $5,000 to record a new EP.

Over the past nine years, the Music Works grant program has invested almost $13 million into more than 800 projects, with previous recipients including The Teskey Brothers and 2019 ARIA award winners Amyl and the Sniffers.

Minster for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said the investment will help strengthen Victoria’s vital live music sector during a time when the industry continues to face challenges.

“We’re continuing to back our state’s live music industry at all levels, with funding for festivals and venues to stage great events and live performances, support for established artists and industry workers, and to help emerging musicians get their start in the industry,” he said.

The first-round grants from the Live Music Festivals Fund and the Victorian Gig Fund will be delivered by Music Victoria.

These grants are part of a more than $35 million package delivered in the last financial year’s state budget to support Victoria’s live music industry at all levels.

“It’s great to see the Victorian government continuing to champion local musical talent, showcasing original contemporary music from Victoria in live music venues across the state, alongside international acts at festivals, and supporting Victorian artists as they tour nationally and internationally,” Music Victoria chief executive officer Simone Schinkel said.

“It will be hard to be in Victoria and not experience the direct benefits of such an investment.”