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Collection society APRA AMCOS is pleading with the government to implement a live music tax offset to support struggling venues
By James Hanley on 17 Oct 2024
Australian collection society APRA AMCOS warns the country’s local live music scene remains “under serious threat”, despite the organisation reporting its highest group revenue to date.
Days after Live Performance Australia revealed live music attendance and revenue reached record highs last year, APRA AMCOS posted record annual takings of A$740 million (€456m) – up 7.2% from the previous financial year (1 July-30 June).
According to the body’s newly released 2023-24 Year in Review report, major concerts and festivals grew 8.4% to $37.4m (€23m), buoyed by tours by major global acts such as Taylor Swift and P!nk (digital was the biggest driver overall, accounting for almost 50% of the total). International revenue also reached an all-time high of $86.1m, up 22.5% year-on-year.
And a year after revealing that more than 1,300 venues had closed permanently since the start of the pandemic, there was positive news in a 19% increase in licensed live music venues, as new types of spaces entered the scene including small bars and breweries. However, numbers are still not back to pre-Covid levels and average licence fees are down 25%.
“We’re deeply concerned that an entire generation may miss out on seeing new and emerging acts perform live”
Furthermore, live music revenue is still below pre-pandemic levels, with artists losing out on an estimated A$600 million (€370m) in live earnings since 2019.
“This year, we’ve delivered strong revenue growth, investment in technology and the services that matter most to our members, together with our clear focus on advocacy,” says Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS. “We cannot, however, overlook the ongoing challenges facing the local live music sector at home. We’re deeply concerned that an entire generation may miss out on seeing new and emerging acts perform live, and that those acts may lose the chance to launch their careers if the decline in live music continues.
“That’s why we’re renewing our call on the Australian government to urgently implement a live music tax offset – a national catalyst to support existing and new live music venues. This will ensure we have stages for artists to play on and venues for audiences to see and hear their favourite artists and rising superstars.”
Elsewhere, concert revenue in New Zealand increased 9.6%, contributing to NZ Group revenue of nearly $70m.
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