6 in 10 Aussies will boycott venues who let unvaccinated patrons in + all the biggest industry headlines from the week
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29.09.2021

6 in 10 Aussies will boycott venues who let unvaccinated patrons in + all the biggest industry headlines from the week

covid vaccine parking sign
Words by Christie Eliezer

Plus Australia ranks low in streaming, Global Citizen raises $1.1 billion for charity + more!

Been out of the loop with everything that’s been going on in the music industry recently? We don’t blame you. Here’s a wrap-up of all the biggest Aussie music industry news stories from the past fortnight.

The top headlines:

  • 58% of studied Australians will not enter a venue that allows unvaccinated people inside.
  • Hospo Owners Collective of Adelaide push government to allow businesses to operate at increased capacity.
  • Sony Music Publishing awards $100 million to seven indigenous and first nations organisations.

Keep your eyes peeled on our Industry News page to stay updated on all the latest headlines.

Report: Six Out Of Ten Will Boycott Venues Which Let The Unvaccinated In

A survey by research company Glow of 1,200 Australians found that over half (58%) will not enter a venue or business that allows in unvaccinated people. Only 20% don’t have a problem, while 14% had no strong opinion.

Men are more likely than women (62% versus 54%) to make a stand on the issue.

Support for a vaccine passport (vac on, vac off?) is divided along age groups.

Up to 79% of Baby Boomers (+ 55s) want mandatory vaccinations for indoor concerts and theatre. It’s 77% for sporting events and 71% for cafes, restaurants and pubs.

In contrast, 35% of Generation Z believe you don’t have to be jabbed to be allowed into an indoor concert or theatre. They were more casual about other places: 45% don’t believe you need to be fully vaccinated to enter a café, restaurant or pub; and 36% to a sporting event.

Those who run entertainment venues are fiercely divided on moral or practical grounds. But in some sectors the decision has already been made. 

All the major promoters have agreed only double vaxed can come to their shows. Sydney musicals Hamilton and Come From Away reopen in October only for double jabbed. 

Both the Adelaide Festival and the Adelaide Fringe are considering it for their March events because some of performers had called for it.

A group of Adelaide nightclub owners sent a proposal to the SA government to open up their dance floors in return for allowing only vaxed patrons. One said there’d be no risk of a patron backlash: “our crowd would do anything to be able to dance!”

Finally, the Victorian chapter of the Australian Hotels Association is holding talks with the Andrews government about setting up a legal framework to protect member venues from lawsuits from patrons and staff.

Global Citizen Live Raises $1.1B To Fight Poverty

Global Citizen Live, the 24-hour concert last weekend raised over US$1.1 billion (A$151.8 billion) in commitments and pledges from governments and corporations to fight extreme poverty. It was organised by Australian-born Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen.

It broadcasted here on Nine and 9Now from six continents, with Delta Goodrem, Keith Urban, 5 Seconds of Summer and Kylie Minogue joining Coldplay, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Duran Duran, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Green Day, Jennifer Lopez, Lorde, Metallica and Stevie Wonder.

France, Croatia and Ireland pledged millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses to developing countries. This followed numerous pleas, including from Prince Harry and Meghan, onstage at New York’s Central Park.

“This year, the world is expected to produce enough doses to meet the target of vaccinating 70% of people in every single country,” said Meghan. “But it is wrong that so much of the vaccine supply has only gone to just 10 wealthy nations so far, and not everyone else.” The crowd cheered. The toxic Murdoch media called their appearance “vacuous” and self-serving.

The Kid Laroi Splits From Scooter Braun

Nothing like a billion streams and charting in 17 countries to put you in the driver’s seat. Two months after The Kid Laroi and Scooter Braun—the Mr.10 Per Cent of Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber and Demi Lovato—did a management deal, The Kid moved on to Adam Leber whose roster has Lil Nas X and before, Miley Cyrus.

Blow For Adelaide Biz Despite Lobbying

Before South Australia’s Transition Committee met in Adelaide on September 21, the biz ran a campaign led by the 130-member Hospo Owner’s Collective (HOC) with rallies at the Arkaba and Kings Head, an open letter to the Committee, and a video My Wish For The SA Hospitality Industry on the urgency of lifting restrictions.

Their call was for venues to return to 75 % capacity, drinks to be consumed while standing up, and for dance floors to be reopened.

The HOC said since the start of the pandemic, there have 48 days of 25% capacity, 263 days of 50% and 71 days of zero capacity

Simone Douglas, co-founder of the HOC and owner of the Duke of Brunswick, suggested 40% of venues won’t make it to Christmas.

The ban on dancing and singing will stay until an 80% vaccination rate, to be reached in December, which is when 40% of annual trade for venues takes place. The sector is nervous that the state missing the deadline will forfeit lucrative Christmas corporate function bookings.

So what really changed when the Transition Committee met? It allowed dancing for 50 but only at weddings and private functions, not nightclubs and music venues. Standing up while drinking was OK’d but only if outside. Venue capacities remain financially unfeasible.

“545 days and 545 ways of myself and all of you trying to survive,” Jason Makarenko, HOC, co-owner La Sing told the gathering. 

“We’re up against it. The difficulty for us is … that everyone is expecting us to be here when this is all over. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starting to not see the light at the end of the tunnel”

Musician and promoter Rob Pippan added, “It’s far cheaper to get us working than handing out grants. The solution is in front of us… We (also) should have a representative consulting to the transition committee to hear our voices and situation.” 

Sony Publishing Chooses Seven For Social Justice Fund

Sony Music Publishing Australia chose the first seven Aussie beneficiaries from Sony Music Group’s $100 million Global Social Justice Fund to address the preservation of culture, criminal justice reform, education and fight racism.

They are Barpirdhila Foundation which supports First Nations creative excellence with spaces and programs; Deadly Connections which disrupts disadvantage, grief, loss and trauma with interventions; Sydney Swans legends Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin’s GO Foundation which provides scholarships to Indigenous students from kindergarten to university; the Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation which focuses on remote creatives; the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence which builds opportunities for ATSI peoples with dorm-style living, conference facilities, an indigenous catering service, gymnasium and co-working spaces; the elders-initiated Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation; and Weave Youth & Community Services which provides services as housing referral, counselling, mental health services, drug and alcohol support, and access to education and employment.  

Australia Ranks Low In Global Streaming

The good news is that global song streams are up 25.9% this year, to 1.7 trillion compared to 1.4 trillion during the first eight months of 2020.

But Australia ranked low, according to analysis by US-based MRC and Billboard.

The fastest growing streaming markets were (1) Japan (2) Turkey (3) Russia (4) Poland (5) UK (6) Mexico (7) Brazil (8) Spain (9) Philippines and (10) Chile.

Of the 1,300 songs by 800 artists that made Billboard global charts, US acts dominated with 51%. Following were the UK (10.9%), Puerto Rico (9.6%), Canada (7.5%), Colombia (4.2%) and South Korea (2.0%).

Australia scraped in with 1.9% with Sia, the Kid Laroi, Tones and I and The Masked Wolf. But it fared better than Brazil, Argentina, Germany and France with 1% each.

Time Running Out For Falls Tasmania Return

The Tasmanian government attempted to kickstart the post-COVID economy with bringing back various high profile events through an $8 million Events Support and Attraction Fund.

One of them was Falls Festival in Marion Bay, which traditionally draws 12,500 (almost 60% from the mainland) and injects $15 million into the Tassie economy.

The government started pow-wowing with Falls promoter Secret Sounds. It’s still in talks, a government spokesperson told the Hobart Mercury this week.

But we doubt it’ll happen. Secret Sounds isn’t going to go forward in December 2021. It’d be a nightmare to pull together in just a few months (unless they plan to hold the festival in a telephone booth) especially with the ever-lingering snap lockdowns and border closures.

Contribute to or take action towards it on the Global Citizen website.