Government funding should prioritize existing community festivals like Port Fairy Folk Festival over new events to support Australia's live music industry.

Government funding should prioritise existing, community festivals over new events to save Australia's live music industry, an inquiry has heard. Port Fairy Folk Festival director Justin Rudge warned that government backing for for-profit concerts has increased competition for established events like the Victorian folk festival. The Port Fairy event has been running for 48 years and contributed $3.4m to the local economy in 2024, but costs like insurance, artist fees, and liquor licence application fees have skyrocketed.

July 04, 2024
13 Articles