The Illawarra has seen a rise in live music and funding, but its affects are still to be seen.
NSW generated almost $700,000,000 worth of revenue from live contemporary music in 2024, as recorded by the 2024 Live Performance Australian Attendance and Revenue Report. This was more than any other state or territory.
Under the Revive Live Program, which is a federal scheme introduced in the 2024-25 budget, multiple venues and festivals have received funding with parts of the Illawarra benefiting greatly.
According to Revive Live Program (2025-26)
The Revive Live program is not the only funding afforded to the arts.
About $400,000 dollars has been injected into venues in the Illawarra in order to boost the live music scene.
According to the Live Performance Attendance and Revenue Report (2024)
The Importance of live music as an expanding industry and revenue source is clear, according to the 2024 report by Live Performance Australia.
NSW Head of Sound Emily Collins said that the program was an important step in supporting local live music.
“Our Local Audience Development Grants are supporting a broad range of organisations and events to help artists connect with communities and ensure music businesses and industry professionals can continue presenting and supporting accessible grassroots live music,” Ms Collins told Region Illawarra
One of the most prominent examples was the Port Kembla festival.
Festival director, Harrison Hall said that grant money is given to venues to boost attendance.
“The grant is quite specific; the funding will provide outside stages and activations in new spaces so it’s targeted at providing growth which means we can attract new audiences to the event,” Mr Hall told Region Illawarra.
Lead singer and guitarist of Monkey’s Uncle Gerard McDonnel, who has played in the Illawarra for 25 years, believes that there is sometimes a disconnect between the money that reaches venues as opposed to individual artists.
“I haven’t seen that impact. Overall, I would say that the funding of the arts in Australia is really poor,” he said.
Mr McDonnel acknowledges that while the funding is good, to call it ‘wonderful’ was overstepping.
“The amount of grants that are being offered to all kinds of artists I think is really wanting,” he said.
However, he maintains that the music scene in the Illawarra is strong with points for improvements and consistent challenges.
“I think the challenge is getting people out to venues and generating the hype for, not just the big gigs…I would certainly like to see more and more gigs just for the sake driving live music,” Mr McDonnel said.
“It’s a lot healthier than it was some years ago but I think we’ve still got a long way to go.
“There’s lots of little venues popping up where there is a bit of a scene but I would like to see it to continue develop and grow.”
The next large music festival in the Illawarra will be the Yours and Owls festival held in October.
Additional Reporting: Koda Way
