Watching them walk out taller than they walked in: Sydney's venues in 2106. (20th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cloonan, Martin
• Is Part Of: Perfect beat. Volume 17:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 104
• Page End: 123
• Publication Date: 2017-01-20
• Subjects: regulation -- venues -- industry -- lockouts -- live music; Popular music -- Periodicals; Popular culture -- Periodicals; Popular music -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Popular culture -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; 781.63
• DOI: 10.1558/prbt.v17i2.31301
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1038-2909

Abstract

Abstract : This article develops recent research in to the live music industry by examining the attitudes of Sydney venues towards the industry in which they work. Based on empirical research conducted on behalf of the City of Sydney Council, the article suggests that venues primarily see themselves as sites of cultural activity, rather than sites of commercial exploitation. The tension between artistic endeavour and commercial reality is evidenced throughout the article. In addition it is also shown that venues feel that politicians and the public have little understanding of this reality. It is further suggested that the notion of a live music ecology provides a useful means via which to understand the workings of the contemporary live music industry in Sydney.