Campaigning Premier John Brumby has announced that a $24.7 million headquarters for contemporary music will be established in Melbourne.
The organisation will host Australian Independent Records Labels Association and youth music organisations The Push and FreeZA. The Age reports that the new Australian Music HQ will be located in the city and feature live gigs. The proposed package also includes support for music venues including an offer to “match dollar-for-dollar investments such as sound-proofing, acoustic treatments and improving sound systems”.
It’s a long way from the protests to save live music that besieged Victorian Parliament back in February. Helen Marcou who helped organise the protests as part of SLAM (Save Live Australia’s Music) could see what a change this represents. She told the Age, ‘'Contemporary music has finally been acknowledged by our good mates in power.’'