Premier's Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council Consultation submission by music Tasmania 2020 Music Tasmania is the peak industry body representing Tasmania’s contemporary, popular music industries. We represent over 500 Tasmanian artists, bands, and small music businesses, who we develop, connect, and promote through our services, while operating nationally as part of the Music is our Australian Music Industry Network. Music Tasmania's strength lies in our capacity to be relevant, engaged, collaborative, and responsive to soundtrack industry need. We invest in our relationships - with musicians, with industry, with Governments, and with partners. As the only organisation in Tasmania that represents the entire music ecosystem, we look at the industry holistically to effectively identify opportunities for intervention. Tasmania has the potential to be Tasmania has a proud history of punching above its weight in contemporary music, with many recognised globally as a music- homegrown artists recognised for the significant cultural and economic contributions they make to making destination, a rehearsal society both locally and abroad. Artists based in Tasmania with successful global careers, including The Wolfe Brothers, Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes / Mona Foma), Monique Brumby, Asta, Luca Brasi, Tim state, and regional recording hub. Carroll (Holy Holy / A festival called panama), and Fiora Cutler, enhance our reputation on the world stage and build the capacity of our local industry. Music is the soundtrack to Tasmania and we have the potential to be recognised as a music-making destination, a rehearsal state, and regional recording hub - if we harness the power of music to enhance our brand, visitor experience, and sense of community. 2 Music Tasmania PESRAC Submission 2020 The impact of COVID-19 We have a music economy in Tasmania that is tourism dependent and reliant on live performance and touring through venues, festivals, and events, as drivers of employment, and revenue through ticket sales. I Lost My Gig Australia The music industry is the original gig economy and for the last year all gigs and employment have registered lost income of ceased due to COVID-19 - directly impacting employment for musicians, promoters, production from Tasmanian gig workers crews, contract and casual workers. of over $5.5m from from cancelled performances, I Lost My Gig Australia (ILMG) registered lost income of from Tasmanian gig workers of over $5.5m tours, festivals, and jobs. over a three-month period from cancelled performances, tours, festivals, and job opportunities. Key impacts on the music sector include: Job losses and opportunities; Cancellation of festivals and events; Increased regulation and compliance for venues and events; Less touring opportunities and high travel barriers/costs; Increased online activity and digital creative output; Young people at-risk of unemployment and social isolation; Mental health. 3 Music Tasmania PESRAC Submission 2020 Three focus areas to support a music-led recovery 1. Industry Development 2. Pathways to Export 3. Regulation and the Night-Time Economy 4 Music Tasmania PESRAC Submission 2020 While there has been an increase in demand for live music, stimulated by festivals and events prior to COVID-19, there needs to be more investment in INDUSTRY developing skills and stimulating small business services that enables the supply of music in the DEVELOPMENT state. The pathways to/from education, industry, and Issue: A lack of professional skills market/s need to be better understood, and gaps in and local music services. the value chain addressed to increase capacity and Intervention: Invest in developing the professionalism of our music industry. music industry skills and subsidising innovative music start- Music businesses play a vital role in supporting up businesses. musicians through management; marketing and promotion, live music production, and distribution – Impact: The Tasmanian music these businesses bring the music on a journey from industry has the skills and creation to the audience. opportunities to sustain careers and businesses. Stimulating and subsidising music businesses at the start-up phase of development would increase 5 capacity and address gaps in the value chain. Music Tasmania PESRAC Submission 2020 The music sector operates in a global environment, offering new growth opportunities for isolated regions such as Tasmania through the export of our Pathways to Export music products, content, networks, and experiences. Digital platforms are providing new business models for artists to reach global Issue: How to diversify revenue audiences. streams for the music industry beyond live performance? We can’t rely only on live music and events to Intervention: Invest in a music sustain our music economy, as this crisis has ‘export’ development office to demonstrated - there is a need to diversify revenue increase trade, touring, and digital streams for musicians. Developing export pathways capability. and digital capability, will support music businesses to build an audience remotely from the island and Impact: Our musicians gain global keep the economic benefits in Tasmania. success, generating economic benefits for Tasmania, and enhancing our reputation on the Export of creative content, products, and services, world stage. is vital for building market demand and enhancing the value of our music and regional reputation as a music-making destination. 6 . Music Tasmania PESRAC Submission 2020 Lessons from Reykjavik Icelandic Music reports: 1000+ GIGS ABROAD EVERY YEAR: Like Hobart, Reykjavík is a port city, which faces logistical challenges due to its geographic The small size of Iceland’s isolation, however Icelandic musicians have made a name for themselves the world over. population is deceiving; Icelandic With a population of less than half a million, Iceland has the highest ratio of musicians to artists play well over 1000 inhabitants anywhere in the world and music has a significant impact on exports and the international performances every contribution to Iceland’s GDP. Iceland Music Export reports: year. • 1000+ GIGS ABROAD EVERY YEAR: The small size of Iceland’s population is deceiving; 350+ ARTISTS Icelandic artists play well over 1000 international performances every year. Icelandic artists span all genres and • 350+ ARTISTS: Icelandic artists span all genres and styles. The DIY culture of Iceland’s styles. The DIY culture of Iceland’s musical scene means many artists are their own producers. musical scene means many artists • 90+ BUSINESSES: With a wealth of management companies, promoters, festivals and are their own producers. labels, Icelandic businesses have never been more connected If Tasmania wants to take our place alongside the90+ BUSINESSESworld’s great music Hobart has a growing population of more than 229,000 however our music market is largely cities,Withwe aneed wealthto thinkof management“global” and import-based rather than export-based and there needs to be greater focus on nurturing the findcompanies,ways of promoters,making the Tasmania festivals aand talent pipeline to support, maintain, and attract music talent. more attractive placelabels.for musicians to 7 locate, create, and run businesses. Music Tasmania PESRAC Submission 2020 Issue: Tasmania’s outdated live music regulations impede small BETTER Regulation businesses, venues, events, and and the Night Time night-time economy growth. Economy Intervention: Reforms to reduce the regulatory burden for live music to Live music makes an important economic, social and cultural ensure Tasmania is competitive with contribution to Tasmania. best-practice in other States. However, the commercial viability of live music is subject to a range of influences, particularly in relation to Impact: Streamlined live music regulatory developments, which regulations would stimulate have increased in response to COVID-19. Tasmania’s night-time economy, support small businesses, and drive economic recovery across the state. 8 . Music Tasmania PESRAC Submission 2020 NSW recently made big regulation changes to support live music… CUT THE RED TAPE AND NSW have just passed the biggest overhaul of regulations around live music and cultural activity with coordinated changes to the Liquor Act, Planning Act, Local Government Act, the Building Code as well LET OUR MUSIC PLAY as emergency COVID-19 placemaking for food, drink and entertainment activation. The changes support small businesses, live music and cultural venues to get back up on their feet once . COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Crucially, the objective of the liquor act will now include the need to Tasmania is lagging behind the rest of consider employment opportunities for live music, arts and cultural activity. Australia in regard to best practice policy and regulation for the music sector, which is impeding investment, Similar reforms have been overseen by states and territories around the country including the making the operation of existing development of entertainment precincts in Queensland, Western Australia and the Australian Capital venues difficult, alongside creating Territory, live music licensing incentives in the Northern Territory, and planning controls in South barriers to the establishment of new Australia and Victoria. venues, and the viability of live music events. Research shows that live music provides $16 billion worth of economic, cultural and social benefit to the nation, with every dollar spent on live music providing three