As if the draconian 1.30am lockouts, 3am last drinks, and alcohol curfews currently imposed on Sydney’s live music venues wasn’t enough, NSW’s bars, clubs, and small venues are set to be slugged with hikes in new annual “risk” fees of up to $24,500.

The rising costs will vary for each venue’s operating costs, but have been implemented by the NSW State Government in a further effort to crackdown on the wave of alcohol-related violence affecting Sydney’s nightlife, as The Music Network reports

On top of paying fees (ranging from a base of $10 to $2,000), bars and clubs will be imposed with a “trading risk” fee for trading past midnight, and rises to an annual rate of $5,000 for operating past 1.30am.

A list of venues that have been named by the Liberal Government as the ‘State’s Most Violent Venues‘ will face a “compliance risk” fee of between $3,000 to $9,000. That includes venues that have broached the imposed ‘three strikes’ ruling, with a mark against their name for selling alcohol to already intoxicated patrons, to minors, or outside the regulated trading hours.

Venues with a capacity of over 301 punters will also be facing a new “patron capacity risk” fee of up to $8,000, and if that venue happens to be in Kings Cross? Another $2,000 based on “location risk”. The new series of “risk” fees will be implemented across two phases, first in March 15, 2015 for the changes to base and trading risk fees, while the rest will be hiked starting from March 15th, 2016.

The news arrives against a much-needed positive turn for Sydney’s music culture, with City council endorsing the 57-point action plan to revive the state’s ailing live music scene as a string of new music venues open their doors, including The Roller Den, The Lewisham Hotel, and the Newtown Social Club christening its 300-cap bandroom.

This Week’s New Tracks On Triple J


Adds:
Allday – Right Now [One Two]
The Amity Affliction – Pittsburgh [Roadrunner/Warner]
Eagle & The Worm – Automatic [Warner]
Elliphant – Revolusion [Sony]
Lana Del Rey – West Coast [Universal]
Peace – Money [Sony]
PUP – Guilt Trip [SideOneDummy/Shock]
Velociraptor – Ramona [Dot Dash/Remote Control]

Spots:
Golden Features – Tell Me {Ft. Nicole Millar} [Warner]
I Know Leopard – Daisy Eyes [triplejunearthed.com]
Lunatics On Pogosticks – Less Than Sober [triplejunearthed.com]
Ratking – So Sick Stories {Ft. King Krule} [XL/Remote Control]

Industry News


Demand For Rolling Stones Scalped Tickets Rises 341%
Following the announcement of The Rolling Stones rescheduled Australian Tour with two extra shows, demand for tickets to the Stones’ October/November dates has “Aussies jumpin’ like Jack Flash” on ticket re-sale platform viagogo, according to a statement from spokesperson Alex Levenson. “Australians are clamouring to get tickets to what might be the Stones last ever shows in Australia – we saw a huge 341% rise in demand for tickets overnight, with further demand expected when the two new shows go on sale.” Mr Levenson also urged punters looking for scalped tickets to “never buy from a site that doesn’t offer a 100% guarantee” such as what viagogo offers.

WA Government To Take Back Music Venues
A number of music spaces, concert halls, and live music venues will see their management going back to the West Australian Government as of January 1st, 2015. His Majesty’s Theatre, State Theatre Centre, Perth Concert Hall, and Subiaco Arts Centre have been managed by AEG Ogden for the last 15 years, but following an independent review last year the venues will now be run under the Perth Theatre Trust with around $1 million of WA’s $9 million annual venue subsidy going towards the hiring of 60 more staff to handle the management of the venues. (via The Music Network)

The Gum Ball Festival Taking A Break For 2015
Following the completion of The Gum Ball’s 10th Anniversary edition last weekend, festival organiser Matt Johnston says that the annual boutique event will be skipping 2015. “I think everybody deserves a bit of a break,” Mr Johnston says. “We’ve been going for 10 years and we love what we do and what we’re building and we’re not giving up or going away, but I think everyone deserves a rest.” Around 2,000 punters attended last weekend’s event, featuring Hoodoo Gurus, King Gizzard, and Ngaiire among a bill of 30 local and international acts at the regular Dashville site in Lower Belford. (via The Newcastle Herald)

Win Entry To A Songwriting Masterclass With Illy
Groovin The Moo and Heaps Decent have partnered with MusicNSW to create a special songwriting masterclass with Aussie hip hop star Illy, offering budding MCs and producers the chance to enter to win tickets to the exclusive backstage workshop. There’s 10 spots up for grabs for entry to the hour-long class on Saturday 26th April, where Illy will share his experience and expertise on a blossoming music career. Full entry details and cut-off dates available here. (via MusicNSW)

Decibels Records Artist Applications Now Open
Decibels Records, Darebin City Council’s youth-led record label, is looking for two up-and-coming Aussie bands or solo artists aged 12-25 to sign for 2014. Artist applications are now open, offering the opportunity to work with the label and industry professionals to produce, record, and promote a release as well as launch the record at a showcase as part of the 2014 Darebin Music Feast. Applicants must live, work or study within Darebin. For more information, check out www.facebook.com/decibelsrecords

Social Family Records Join Ambition Music Group For Distribution
Ambition Music Group’s Managing Director, Robert Rgiby, has announced a new distribution alliance with independent record label, Social Family Records. A subsidiary of the Social Family Group (which includes Jaden Social, George Said management, and GiggedIn) and noted for its successes with Baby Animals, Electric Empire, Steve Balbi, Damien Lieth, and latest signing ARIA-winner David Campbell. All Social Family Records releases will be available for order via EMI as of April 2014.

Artist Signings


Jezzabell Doran Signs With Young & Vicious and Sony
Australian singer-songwriter Jezzabell Doran, noted for her collaboration with Flume on ‘Sleepless’, has signed with Sony Music Entertainment Australia via the Young & Vicious label for the release of her debut single ‘Blank Page’ on 9th May.

Beaty Heart Sign Global Deal With Caroline
South London tropical-infused-pop-makers Beaty Heart has inked a worldwide deal with Caroline for the release of their debut album Mixed Blessings, out in Australia and New Zealand on 30th May, featuring new single ‘Kanute’s Comin’ Round‘. Hailing from South London, Beaty Heart has been creating waves around the globe following a BBC Recommends showcase  and supporting Jungle on their European tour.

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