Live Music Scene

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (14:16): My question is to the Premier. How is Adelaide gaining recognition around the world for its vibrant live music scene?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Minister for the Arts) (14:17): I thank the honourable member for his question. He is an avid consumer of live music, and I am sure that back in the day you would have found him at the stage door at the back of the Shandon Hotel listening—

Mr Duluk: That's 16 years of highlights wrapped up in one question.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: That's right. When this man had hair, he would have been down there bopping to the tunes of—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: He is a great member of parliament and an avid consumer of live music. The live music scene in Adelaide is going from strength to strength. Just this week—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —this is good news, I know they all want to hear it, it's good news—travel publication Lonely Planet has recognised Adelaide as Australia's live music city—a massive statement. This is in their newly released Culture Trails publication, which presents cultural highlights from cities around the globe. They have highlighted some of our great live music venues, including the Exeter and Wheatsheaf hotels as drawcards for music lovers. All of this hard work that has gone into developing our live music sector is now paying off.

The state government has driven a number of regulatory reforms to support the live music industry. The streamlining of regulations has made it easier for music venues and musicians to access audiences in a range of different settings, all adding to the vibrant music scene that Adelaide is well-known for. Recent reports have shown that the music industry in South Australia now employs 6,300 people, including part-time and contract jobs. Meanwhile, there has been a 34 per cent increase in the number of venues hosting live music and a 15 per cent increase in the number of gigs being held over the past two years. As the state's Minister for the Arts, I am delighted to highlight this fantastic recognition of Adelaide.

Our ability to collaborate between local government, the private sector and performers has seen live music thrive in a way that sets us apart from other cities in Australia and around the world. In fact, it even led to our designation as a UNESCO City of Music, a title we wear with pride. It's not just good news for industry, but for South Australia generally. Live music and festivals bring visitors to the state. Visitors buy food, stay in hotels and visit our cities and our beautiful regions.

They also create a fantastic vibe and sense of fun in the community, whether it is during Mad March in Adelaide or in winter during the Umbrella: Winter City Sounds festival. We are hearing the sound of music not just in our hills—we are also hearing the sound of Xenophon in the hills, but that is a different matter; that is the thing that really agitates them—but in every pub, every club and every bar. Of course, it is the people who make the industry buzz and we have amazing individuals receiving their own recognition.

Just last night, two of our finest South Australian artists were honoured on the national stage at the ARIA Awards: pop phenomenon Sia as Best Female Artist and hip-hop duo AB Original, one of whom hails from South Australia, for Best Urban Album. Even our music educators were recognised, with Renee McCarthy from Woodcroft College taking out the first ARIA Music Teacher of the Year Award.

This recognition comes on top of Lonely Planet's best travel places, Lonely Planet's coolest neighbourhoods and, of course, the top 10 cities to visit since 2014. This is a city which is growing in excitement and I think the people of South Australia are beginning to find that it is an even better place to live.

Ms Cook: And Paul Kelly.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: And Paul Kelly.

The SPEAKER: I call to order the member for Fisher and the Minister for Agriculture for that mirth, and I call to order the members for Adelaide, Davenport and Stuart. I warn the members for Davenport, Finniss, Morialta and Chaffey, and I warn for the second and final time the members for Finniss, Davenport, Morialta and Chaffey. The deputy leader.