In Sydney, the challenge publicans face in regard to pokies and liquor licensing laws invariably affects any music lover. Up until very recently, establishments needed a liquor license to stage live music, and these licenses invariably cost upwards of $15,000. Naturally, this has restricted the type of establishments being set up to predominantly low-risk, unimaginative pubs.
The final episode in ABC TV’s Not Quite Art series (which aired on 30/10/2007) explored drinking establishments in neighbouring city Melbourne, where artists find a considerably more favourable environment to connect with audiences and one another (an environment which though aided by Melbourne’s networked physical layout, is largely facilitated by supportive liquor licensing laws). If Sydney were to move to a similar licensing system it could breathe fresh air into its recently sparse and stifled live music landscape.
NSW Premier Morris Iemma hinted toward such a change as far back as January last year when he said, speaking from the Tamworth Country Music Festival, he supported proposed changes to the laws so small venues would not have to gain a liquor license to stage live music. And therein lays the aspect of the bill perhaps most likely to shake-up Sydney’s live music scene – the breaking of the formerly exclusive partnership between live music and the alcohol industry.
Drinking and musical performance as a ‘get one you get the other’ kind of deal is so ingrained into the psyche of Sydney’s so-called ‘alternative’ subculture that the threat of staleness often presents itself. Such a homogenous platform for musical performance can be restricting to both audience and artist – as Ian MacKaye (formerly of Minor Threat and Fugazi, respectively) pointed out on the eve of his band The Evens’ tour of Australia:
“I don’t understand why music has been consigned to that particular arena. If you look at The Evens itinerary you’ll see we don’t play a single bar .” But this prevailing view may soon begin to evolve, and in the future those who continue frequenting joints like Gloria Jeans may miss the next Margaret Roadknight strumming away at that little coffeehouse around the corner.
So after significant grassroots support, which was mainly focused through the community organisation Raise The Bar (www.raisethebar.org.au), a bill updating NSW liquor laws was passed by State MPs. The revised Liquor Act will cut license fees to as little as $500 for a small bar and $2000 for a hotel. Premises will also be given the option of serving food, regardless of whether or not they sell alcohol.
The Premier announced the changes late last year (06/10/07) saying, “If we get those applications for live music – who knows, we might go back to the glory days of the Oils and the Four Fay Riders and the Mighty Reapers playing at our pubs.” Whilst indicating that he hasn’t been to a live gig for 20 years, Morris’s positivity is a boon for local artists hoping not to be left by the wayside. Maybe I won’t have to move to Melbourne after all.
