Live music workers in Australia received unexpected news last week about the ‘2024 Splendour in the Grass’ music festival.
The North Byron Parklands based festival was cancelled two weeks after the official line-up was posted. The reason was due to unexpected events.
Auxiliary worker, Grace Farthing, who is also an avid festival-goer was devastated to hear the news but not surprised.
“After a few major music festivals dropped like Groovin The Moo, I was hoping that Splendour in the Grass would be able to be the last one standing in the festival arena,” Ms Farthing said.
“I believe the line-up didn’t help; I mean who would want to see Kylie Minogue as a main act instead of Dom Dolla?”
In March 2023, an occupation-based analysis report by the Bureau of Communication, Arts and Regional Research showed how festivals provide jobs for live music workers in Australia.
Source: BCARR 2023
Types of workers such as primary (musicians and technicians), supporting (security and ticketing staff) and auxiliary (hospitality) make up the Australian live music industry.
A total of 41,000 people were employed in 2019-20.
The data shows that by having festivals cancelled in Australia, the average income of each occupation would drop significantly due to the cancellation of music festivals.
Source: BCARR 2023
Ms Farthing is one of many live music workers who have been affected financially due to the Australian live music crisis.
“I don’t know how this industry can keep going when we decide we don’t want to work at these festivals anymore,” she said.
“I enjoy working at these music events, but I am struggling as this is my additional income to keep me living instead of surviving.”
The CO-CEOs of Secret Sounds, Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco said in a statement that they are “devastated” that the festival has been cancelled.
“We are heartbroken to be missing a year especially after more than two decades in operation. This festival has always been a huge community effort, and we would like to thank everyone for their support and overall faith. We hope to be back in the future.”