The State Government in New South Wales has imposed punitive regulation that specifically targets music festivals and gatherings of music fans. Declaring a war on music and culture in NSW, the new laws proclaim that music festivals are high risk activities.
This is devastating news for NSW, not only are music festivals ‘a key part of NSW’s entertainment scene and economy’, (as the NSW government
website admits), but they are essential places for ideas to be exchanged, for people to come together, and for communities to grow. The new regulations will severely impact this.
Don’t Kill Live Music, have written an overview of the new Festival license, which you can read
here.
NSW music festivals Mountain Sounds and Psyfari
recently had to cancel their upcoming events as a result of unexpected costs stemming from the new regulation. Both festivals are signatories to an associated
petition calling on the NSW state government to reconsider the policy.
A mass
protest is being organised for Sydney’s streets next week in response to the recent round of music festival regulation implemented. Here is the Facebook link to the rally, where 18,000 people are currently interested in attending:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1358886940918547/
In a statement, Don’t Kill Live Music Australia, the organisers of the rally, state that the new regulations are “ill-considered”, will not save lives and are “decimating our music culture in the process”.
“Overbearing regulation, exorbitant police bills, a lack of respect for NSW businesses, and very little recognition of the significant positive impacts of music on our communities is forcing music out of NSW,” the statement read.
We urge you to share and sign and share the
petition, so it gains international recognition. After the
Lock Out Laws, this would be the second blow to our music culture and it effects all artists, musicians, promoters and fans, across the world.
International recognition for this campaign is essential in order to show support for music communities across the world.
No matter where you are in the world, by sharing content, signing petitions, voting and protesting you can make a difference and help to create and maintain sustainable, diverse nightlife and music scenes.