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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-11-30 Daily Xml
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South Australian Music Industry

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (16:09): It has been a successful year building the South Australian music industry thanks in no small part to the hardworking team at MusicSA and the Music Development Office. The 2016 Live Music Census released by MusicSA showed a significant year-on-year growth with approximately a 14 per cent increase in gigs and a 32 per cent increase in venues hosting live music in metropolitan Adelaide.

Music.com.au, a leading national publication posted an article in June this year titled 'How Adelaide is becoming the most vibrant city in Australia' with St Paul's Creative Centre, the MDO and MusicSA acknowledged as a great example of industry support systems. The South Australian government is getting increased recognition nationally for best practice support in the music sector. Anne Wiberg, Lisa Bishop and the MusicSA team hosted an outstanding music awards night along with a big year of workshops, education and training programs, advice and consultancy services for South Australian artists and practitioners, events, seminars and live music showcases.

Karen Marsh, Becc Bates and Elizabeth Reid from the Music Development Office have had another outstanding year with the MDO going from strength to strength. The Robert Stigwood Fellowship Program continues to demonstrate the significant contribution it makes to the growth of the local industry, and is drawing interest from around the country. It will be used as a best practice case study for artist development in the national contemporary music plan currently being developed by Music Australia.

A number of Stigwood fellows have found success further afield with Horror My Friend landing a record deal and support slots for major international artists; and the Grenadiers are fronting a national headline tour and have been nominated in the prestigious Australian Music Prize awards. Timberwolf has an international publishing deal in negotiation and has achieved one million plays for his latest EP on Spotify. SKIES won SA Voice of the Year at The AU Review awards and best new artist at the South Australian Music Awards. Speaking of awards, I must mention the deserved award to the Hilltop Hoods, who recently won best live act at the ARIAs.

The MDO was successful in their bid to secure new funding for live music development in the northern Adelaide region. Their live music action plan includes $70,000 funding for the Northern Sound System to allow them to employ a project officer and to activate live music events including a celebration of the regions heritage. Another $30,000 will be used for a small grant program administered by Arts SA and curated by Northern Sound System and local councils to directly assist musicians from the northern area. The Music Development Office has had a very busy year supporting DVC with regulatory reform, the results of which have been cited by John Wardle, Director of the National Live Music Office as setting 'a new benchmark for better regulation of Australian live music venues.'

Ian Horne and Wendy Bevan from the Hotels Association have been solid supporters of the live music industry. Hotels were the most significant venue type providing 80 per cent of gigs in 69 per cent of venues. Their support played no small part in generating the $263.7 million of economic value that live music brings to the state. The hotel and club sector employs approximately 50,000 workers.

I would like to wish David Pearson from the Premier's office all the very best for his new appointment to the Dunstan Foundation. He was a key player in making things happen for live music and really understood the value it brings the state. Adviser Simone O'Donnell has provided great support, as has Cathy Parker and Belinda Wolstencroft. John Wardle, Policy Director, Live Music Office, has provided expert guidance and research to assist us in developing a coherent legislative framework. Nick O'Connor and crew at the Northern Sound System continue to deliver programs, training and mentoring with enthusiasm and obvious passion for music and commitment to their community and should be commended.

Through his international and national experience, Jon Lemon has given great support, advice and time to our industry. His contribution to the Sia Furler Institute and his expertise in setting up the song spaces, collaborative song writing rooms at St Paul's will be greatly appreciated by clients and artists for many years to come. Thank you, Jon. I would also like to thank Peter Louca of Arts SA and Paul Goiak, Director, Industry Development, for their continued support and collaboration.

The only sour note this year was the decision to dismantle the instrumental music service. I would like to apologise to, but thank all music teachers in both the private and public sector. I hope that the disputes will be settled before term one commences to give teachers, parents and students some security and certainty.

Thanks to my staff—Narrah, Tiff and Felicity—for their support and encouragement over the year, and big shouts and acknowledgment to all involved in the hospitality, entertainment, and creative industries. I wish them and their supporters a happy and safe Christmas and a creative and prosperous New Year.

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