Petition To Save Live Music
On Behalf of “Fair Go 4 Live Music”
The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that the current liquor licensing laws and regulations are destroying the vibrancy and viability of live music performed in licenced venues.
The “high risk conditions” should not be triggered by cultural practice (if live or amplified music is being played) but rather by high alcohol consumption patterns. The assessment and application of security, CCTV and other high cost conditions should be evidence based, and not based on the biased assumptions and opinions of bureaucrats.
The Petitioners therefore request that:
1. The Victorian Government institute a proper investigation into the causes of violence and drunkenness.
2. Until such investigation is undertaken and concluded, the Government remove all references to “live and amplified music” from the licence amenity clause on liquor licences.
3. The Government formulate a cultural policy that promotes and maintains Melbourne as Australia’s capital for live music.
Due to overwhelming demand this petition will stay open. This petition is on behalf of “Fair Go 4 Live Music”
104 comments ↓
[...] and is growing by the minute. Join this page to support the cause. Or you can sign the petition here. To rally the government on TAFE fee changes, visit [...]
[...] you think it’s gone too far as well, write a letter, call a talk show, or sign a petition. Or maybe even write a blog article about it, like me. But do something, before it’s too [...]
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Craig Anderson, John Mackay. John Mackay said: Online Petition up on ToneDeaf to save Live Music http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/petition … closing date is Jan 25th. [...]
[...] you’re as pissed off as we are and want to see change in Melbourne, please sign the petition. There’s also a Facebook group which is trying to get 1,000,000 members. As more things crop [...]
I've never been to the Tote. Please give me a chance to go and see bands at the Tote sometime.
If you want to have an Australian music scene at all,you need live venues!Punters that attend venues such as the Tote are there for the music unlike the bigger goverment backed venues ,such as those within Crown Casino..which are known troublespots for drug use and violence.Musicians need live venues to hone their craft and punters need music! Dont kill the live music scene by placing it out of reach of ordinary people.In my opinion that is criminal!
melbourne needs live music to continue to exist as the melbourne we know. Without venues like the Tote, the Espy, and the Arthouse, we're just another city with a big fucking casino
[...] in supporting the Tote then hit the venues Facebook or MySpace pages & get involved in petitions, voice your ideas & let your local council know what you think of these, ‘high-risk- [...]
You're supposed to be stopping bogans in the CBD glassing each other in the street.
No good is served by lumping all of these venues into the same basket. It is simplistic, narrow thinking. You are making yourselves look like a bureaucratic joke. Stop it!
[...] than me ranting all over the internet. What I will do though is ask you all to check out this petition to the state government urging them to pull their heads out of each others assess and change these [...]
[...] you don’t want Melbourne’s music scene to suffer, please go to http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/petition to sign the position on behalf of “Fair Go 4 Live [...]
I agree with Mick. I grew up with a thriving music scene and lots of places for young musicians to practice Thumpin' Tum, Berties, 54321, etc. Let's not lose these live venues forever by knee jerk reaction that doesn't deal with the real causes. Bettina
*** I CAN´T FIND CONTACT DETAILS FOR FG4LM, SO THIS WILL HAVE TO DO***
I´ve signed the petition. I´ve signed more petitions in my life than I care to think of, because very few of them ever result in anything concrete. This is so badly worded, buried in hyperbole and uses whinging language that can only alienate the very people we´re appealing to. FG4LM needs to rase some funds and hire a professional lobbyist (or get one to work pro bono) to ensure action is taken, because based on the worth of this petition the current lobbyists are not on par with professionals.
Suggestion – take donations however you can. I was in the UK when the Rage Against Simon Cowell movement started up, and more than half a million people paid 50cents each (for a single most of them already owned) just so that a Simon Cowel groomed Pop Idol winner wouldn´t take out the Christmas No1 again. And it worked because it was as simple as us getting a facebook message with a weblink asking us to spend a miniscule amount of money to change something. And it did work — a facebook movement actually worked. If you don´t think Australians would be willing to part with such a small amount of money to save our live music you underestimate us. Because most people are like me – lazy fucks who can´t be bothered to do anything, but if it´s easy and cheap, then of course I´d love to do it, because it means that I can say I made a difference. That´s why I sign petitions… but I´d also be willing to part with 50cents, simple as that.
I would like to hold a minutes silence…
RIP: The Tote (Melb)
RIP: The Hydey (Perth)
RIP: The Hopetown (Syd)
RIP: Arena (Bris)
Thankyou.
The closure of integral live music venues epidemic is Australia wide. I feel very lucky to have grown up in a time where I've had the opportunity to experience and love both up and coming and old favourite bands. By closing down these venues (I believe) we will up the anti of anxious youth, no longer will you be able to see a live performance and feel part of something bigger and share something in common with a group of like strangers and friends.
Please! Please! Please! Australian governments: do not presume why violence is happening on the streets and put in place these quick-fix solutions; investigate the causes and find more long term solutions which don't put out the majority of us who are looking to just have fun.
Miles
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by Johnny1P5: Online Petition up on ToneDeaf to save Live Music http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/petition … closing date is Jan 25th….
[...] your favourite live music venues and show your support, along with signing the petition – http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/petition . We may not be able to save The Tote, but we have to save what makes this city great. This [...]
the research on whitch the minister has based legislation is clearly flawed and based maximum capacity and time for all venues ,when this is not the case for the over 60s inner city group.i suggest a local survey by an independent auditor .
Please don’t ruin Melbournes live music scene!
To think that there will not be venues to cater for live music is one of the most abhorrent thoughts I have had in my near 50 years of enjoying live music! You cannot seriously be considering such an act. Have the bureaucracy really forgotten the enjoyment of going to see your mates, daughters, sons, friends bands strut their stuff. The magic of watching live music develop, as the musicians mix, not artificially as pre taped music but only in a way that live music can. My taste ranges from hardcore to metal to acoustic – with a bit of jazz thrown in for good measure. I have enjoyed live shows since the late 60s through to last week from such venues as The Tote, the Ferntree Gully hotel to Sirius, and the Arthouse! Please let good sense prevail.
[...] and is growing by the minute. Join this page to support the cause. Or you can sign the petition here. To rally the government on TAFE fee changes, visit [...]
touche!!!NM
Give us our TOTE back ! Has always been our heartbeat for live acts. Well run venue with alot of history and culture as well as a safe enviroment with great patrons unlike other pubs around ………………..SAD & SORRY.
I have played at the tote many times in my rock days and rubbed shoulders with some greats. I was lucky enough to appear on the Wally's wild weekend album that was recorded live there many moons ago. I have watched some great new bands flourish in that place and wanted my sons to play there as well when they get a little older. In all the time spent at the tote I have never witnessed a fight or trouble…just great ( and occasionally just weird!) music.
MISGUIDED LEGISLATION IS AN AFFRONT TO THE MUSICAL CULTURE IN VICTORIA AND WILL KILL LIVE MUSIC HERE…WAKE UP!
[...] the meantime, HERE is the link to SAVE LIVE MUSIC IN MELBOURNE. Add your name!!! [...]
I'd like to make point that whilst I have signed this petition this is not about Melbourne. It is about the live music culture nationally.
A small cafe, with a baby-boomer clientiele… wanting the likes of Julia Messenger (caberet singer) cruising along on a Friday night…. this demographic is not likely to be rolling drunk on their Cab-Savs and Shiraz's or much less becoming violent…. give us a breask MISTER Brumby!!
How about closing down all of those pathetic mafia venues on King Street First!
Stand up and save live music venues nationally! This is deplorable, save The Tote, Arthouse and other live music venues! Support local music
I spent a year a Melbourne in 08 and I saw some amazing gigs at the TOTE, saddened that it has closed. I met some incredible people there and had hoped to meet up with them again in the future. I love this City and send lots of love from San Fran!
Whilst focus in this forum appears to be pretty much centred on the Tote, as an iconic Melbourne venue, the laws are impacting far more widely. I have just had a gig cancelled as the venue closed own as a direct result of a huge additional cost burden brought about by the change in licensing classification. When has there ever been a problem with violence at small live music venues? It is the enormous "Dance" and nightclub venues that attract the Tingitanian rock apes who beat their chests in a pathetic attempt to "pick up chicks mate". People who appreciate music don't enter into that cretinous behaviour. Why is it that every "solution" to social problems appears to result in increased revenue for government? The goo dnews is that it's an election year so hopefully the opposition will offer us some hope.
The Tote is the most peaceful Hotel in the Collingwood area.
By placing it in the same category as the most violent is unjust!
What are they thinking?
yeah, save live music, that means get rid of backing tracks too if yer serious, or at least have a disclaimer on evry tixket and poster
I'm not sure how anyone can think licensing changes imposing unnecessary security costs at small venues catering to supporters of local original music will have any impact on levels of violence in and around completely unrelated venues in other parts of town. The psychology of the patrons of the venues being forced out of business by these changes is entirely opposite to that of the people who cause trouble at nightclubs.
This new legislation is an all round disaster. Thousands of people come to Melbourne (and Victoria in general) for its year-round vibrant culture, not just the Grand Prix and the Tennis. Melbourne is known internationally for its lively music scene, and I don't mean those barns in King Street.
The Brumby Nanny State has ham-fistedly brought us to the stage where venues have to pay exhorbitant licence fees and hire two security staff so that someone can sit in the corner and sing folk songs to 50-year-olds.
In country Victoria the situation is even worse. Little country pubs and restaurants will be forced to cease hiring musicians, close earlier and lay off staff. The result? More unemployment, less tourism, and less cultural life in our community. Rural Victoria has far higher unemployment than Melbourne – we need every job we can create. We also need our important meeting places to remain open – they provide the social glue that keeps our rural society from disintegrating. Instead of planning to make Melbourne even bigger, the Brumby Nanny State should be doing everything it can to encourage people out of Melbourne and into the regions. Part of that is to ensure that small places remain viable, and culturally lively.
They can't seem to stop the fights in King Street, but they have figured out exactly how to shut down the little places where there is never any trouble.
Further, the little General Stores that sell beer and few local wines have been clobbered as well. This could cause many small communities to lose their only local shop: more unemployment, local wineries lose an outlet, etc. etc.
They just have not thought it through.
ive seen BLACKLEVEL EMBASSY,NATION BLUE,LATE ARVO SONS,SHOOTING AT UNARMED MEN, DR IVISABLO, BASEBALL all melbourne bands playing in melbourne plus overseas bands PIXIES, BREEDERS THROWING MUSES,SONIC YOUTH and others plus many interstate bands playing in melbourne-will the closure of smaller venues have a knock on effect on bigger bands coming here? i hope not please lets not let it,as an englishman now living in melbourne i dont want to miss out on not seeing the next BASEBALL OR NATION BLUE,i only go to one or two gigs a month but have not seen trouble or felt in danger but would not fancy walking around the cbd at midnight , HAPPY GIGGING
An open letter to the premier, he can be contacted at john.brumby@parliament.vic.gov.au
Everyone should be doing this, after all, remember that he works for us,
To the Honourable John Mansfield Brumby, Premier of Victoria,
Firstly, how do you do? I hope all is well at any rate, I imagine that being the chief public servant of a state with some five million inhabitants would come with a significant workload. My name is Shaun Michael Thatcher, I am a resident in Flemington, Victoria and I'm writing to you today to voice concerns that I, as a voting member of this fine democracy, have with certain issues recently brought forward into the public mind. Now, I appreciate that the inner workings of these sort of things, in such a large government, are more like a freight train than a zippy little motorcycle, in that they take a very long time to get going and are unlikely to come screeching to an immediate halt, all cataclysms and unforeseen precipices aside. I am speaking of course, and hopefully I am not the first, of the recent changes to liquor licensing with the introduction of the alcohol action plan. Firstly, I applaud what actually appears to be a well constructed, comprehensive plan to reduce harm associated with alcohol consumption. However, with the first casualty being the Tote hotel, it appears that Damacles' sword now hangs over the head of every late night venue in Melbourne, and in a town that has such a powerful music and bar culture this is completely unacceptable. I have worked in hospitality for six years as a chef and a bartender. Every bartender I've known has horror stories about patrons who've had a few too many. A requirement of most bars is for their staff to hold an RSA certificate, and a large part of this is knowing when to cut someone off. If the bartender is serving someone who is clearly drunk, then they can take the fine that is clearly advertised a few feet behind them, with the rest of the information on those placards that licensed venues are required to display. If I'm at a bar with an obnoxious drunk talking far too loudly it annoys me to no end. There is nothing worse than having some idiot at a gig spill his drink on me. Bartenders make a living serving people drinks and like most people they like it when their jobs are made easier. The fine staff at the Tote hotel knew exactly when to say that someone had had enough. A great bar is one where everyone can enjoy themselves and the Tote was among the upper pantheon. The King street numbers and the Crown complex are where the problems begin. You must know this. Everyone knows this. You have a stretch of road filled to bursting with large capacity venues, where young bucks from all over Victoria can go and get their fill of alcohol and women. While human beings are a higher order of creature with our capacity to reason, when you put young men, who have had their higher brain functions suppressed by alcohol, into an environment where women will ignite their every sexual desire, do you know what happens? Exactly the same thing as when you put a female ape in heat amongst the males of the group. They start posturing. They eye each other up as competition for a prize, and they fight. It is basic, documented animal behavior, Darwinian selection happening right before our eyes as the strongest vie for selection and frustrated young men head out into the night. How many friendships have ended over a member of the opposite sex? How many people the victim of an illogical jealous rage? Think about the difference between that example, and one where people with a common interest come together from all over for a night of music and dancing, say at a certain Collingwood hotel? Once again, there is documented instances of this behaviour, only not in animals, but in humans. African celebrations, the Aboriginal Corroboree, the god damn Macarena. These tribal celebrations brought people together in celebration and song. I'm not suggesting that these pubs and venues are perfect, but we cannot afford to lose our live music scene that is so vital to our wonderful city. People from other places tell me all the time about how much they wish they could go and see bands every night of the week for $10 or less. It is an enviable position to be in, and rightly so, and myself and my friends and every other like minded person in this town will not see it slip away. I strongly urge that an immediate review of the classification of venues, with complete transparency and consultancy with the operators of venues and musicians, those who will be hardest hit by the additional cost, because in these times of pressing economic difficulty we can't afford to take away the livelihoods of honest, hard working people of Victoria. I urge you to undertake independent consultations on each license, to send people in plain clothes into venues on their busiest nights and to take away first hand information on the risk factor of each establishment. It is a lot to ask, but when so much is at stake it must be done. I will be staying in regular contact as the year unfolds, and hope to correspond with you on the matter. I have nothing that makes me an expert, only that I am a constituent of your voting demographic, I believe in what makes this city great, and I am going to continue to write to you as long as I see problems and room for improvement.
Kind Regards,
Shaun M. Thatcher
Don't turn Melbourne into Sydney – no live music venues! It's a crime – I don't want to live in a world without bars with sticky carpet…..
I was just approached byMaja Grahaml who is running a project called GIRLS ON AIR 2010. its a radio training course that has places for 5 young women between the ages of 13 and 19 living around city of Yarra (carlton fitzroy collingwood and heaps more suburbs abbotsford cant remember them all right now) the project will provide 15 hours of radio training as well as support and resourcing to produce a radio feature to be broadcasst and podcast on International Womens Day March 8th.. the course begins next week on wed, thurs and fri as well as production during feb.. it sounds like itll be not only a lot of fun but also its empowering and a great way to get your foot in the door to broadcast young womens ideas opinions etc.. do you know anyone who would be interested? its during holidays, i think lunch will be provided and its hands on which is always satisfying..contact Maja on 0406351798
Politicians and Government needs to realise that making obscene laws and passing biased legislation does not address a problem, it merely serves to act as a fractured barrier. If you want people to stop behaving in a particular "high risk" manner regarding alcohol then the education system needs to be revised to address issues facing the consumption of liquor and teach individuals how to respect it and properly control their emotions once they've come under its influence. It doesn't take a genius to realise that stupid people do stupid things and while this is the case it seems the rest of us have to pay the price. The Government needs to wake up and realise that they are destroying an important and viable part of Melbourne's cultural hub. No more of this media played facade of increased violent nightlife and police state affairs!!
Hello,
To sign this, do i need to be an australian citizen for it to count?
My heart breaks. I have sung at The Tote, The Corner Hotel, Central, Espy, when I was young.. how old am I now, very… grandma status, still old enough to vote, but young enough to remember the fun I had whether I was singing or just dancing with mates. I have friends who own small venues who have simply had to close because of the new legislation and like the owner of The Tote, surrender a life time commitment. And yet the government continues to allow new super sized, super violent venues i.e. Docklands, to fester. We weren’t violent. We were stupid, young, innocent, silly all of those things, but the worse people did then was throw up in the gutter, insult someone’s girlfriend, throw a punch and usually miss, get outrageously hungry or crash on some strangers floor… I still want to listen to those bands, oh yes, and I am still a grandma.. Weren’t we so lucky to hear the fantastic bands live that we did then, ACDC, Chisel, Phantom Band and hundreds more. People who can’t have fun have to find an outlet somehow, and we see the results daily. Who is making all the money from Crown Casino (just to name one) and the likes. We all know where that revenue goes. Happy birthday Michael Hutchence. Maureen
[...] Sign the petition to save live music here. [...]
maybe what needs to be done is to approach the greens and see if they support whatwe're talking about here. because if they do and we can organise support for them on this basis in the upcoming election, then brumby is gonna pay attention, coz they are shit scared that the greens could snatch 2 or 3 lower house seats
What a tremendous idea; give a quarter of a million dollars to Rage Against the Machine and their record company just to spite Simon Cowell. /facepalm /shakehead
i've been playing gigs in the melbourne live music scene for about 20yrs now & played the tote so many times, i can't believe it's gone.
i remember in the late 80's/early 90's, we lost so many great live band venues to those infernal poker machines & now it looks like we're losing what was left. really can't believe it.
I second Danny's remarks, particularly concerning the petition. This sentence – "The assessment and application of security, CCTV and other high cost conditions should be evidence based, and not based on the biased assumptions and opinions of bureaucrats" – is great if everyone just wants to sit around and be righteous in their anger and slap each other on the back, but it completely destroys any possibility of genuine practical consideration being given to the document. "Dear bureaucrats, please change this law and, by the way, f**k your biased assumptions and opinions." Virtually guarantees compliance, doesn't it!
[...] Facebook has been inundated with multiple groups forming to protest the closure of the Tote. The Facebook group ‘Save the Tote’ has now hit 13, 500 members, and is still growing. Alas, it does not look like the Tote will be saved at this point in time, but until the 25th of January you can still sign the petition to save live music at http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/petition [...]
[...] a Fair Go 4 Live Music before Australia Day and sign the petition [...]
the Tote is not the first venue to suffer.
however, it is the first of the large small venues, or the first of the high-profile small venues to be affected. This has been going on for some time now.
I've never been to the Tote but live music is important. Creative expression in all its forms is important to the quality of life of all human beings as it is imperative for our mental and physical well being. If we lose this venue, how many others will follow?
Hey politicians, it's ok to change your minds and admit you made a mistake and were being hasty; it's a sign of good character, not weakness. So, don't be embarrassed and just fix the liquor licensing laws like a good PUBLIC SERVANT and keep arts alive in Victoria.
the government are obviously a bunch of deaf, worthless human beings. i hate them for closing the Tote! wasn't warrented! They should open it up again and go close Chasers or Odeon or any other of those crap clubs stella's go to!
Living in a small American city where a new live music venue (Roots Music Hall) just opened to feature local and regional bands, where local musicians have just formed a Music Guild to promote live local music, and where our premier pizza parlour hosts live music, I can understand why The Tote must be saved. We cant be upset that young folks are seemingly at loose ends and then lock them out of safe and sane entertainment.
Save yonder Tote, mates.
Hello Monique, it's not only Australia either; it's a global thing. I'm in France, where things are worse (and worsening still) : so much so that we had to come to Australia (played there 3 times) to find our musical "home". Closing the Tote (and similar venues) is a hit to all of us. Great venues means future great bands & artists. Where will the next Drones or New Christs or Spoils "grow up" and learn their trade now ?
So go for it guys, the whole world needs Totes.
This Petition is great but people must show their support by getting down to their local and taking a punt on some band they’ve never heard of. I guarantee you’ll be happy at least 90% of the time!
Don’t go the way of the sydney music scene!
Do we want Melbourne's music scene to go the way of Sydney's? Where high-priced liquor licenses meant there were woefully few venues for live music. I know – I lived there for 6 years and it's got nothing on Melbourne.
Ironically it's now going the other way – I hear Sydney is about to radically reduce the cost of its liquor licenses which will make small venues far more viable. While Melbourne is caught up in serving the fearful outcry of the conservative middle-class from a few hundred disenfranchised young people getting drunk and acting up (which, of course, their generation never did).
I've played gigs in Melbourne's inner city venue's for over 10 years. I can't remember any gig where there has been serious drunken violence. Night clubs on the other hand are a different story. People are there to party, pick up and get drunk. Why don't the government get it right and target seedy clubs around Melbourne??! Punters go to venues like the Arty or Tote to see artists playing their music. No one there want's to fight or become obnoxious. And if they do, they've walked into the wrong place. Years of my life are full of great memories from venues like these. Don't ruin Melbourne's culture Mr Brumby.
Georgina Aralica
Victoria government should be ashamed off themself shameshameshame
i played at the tote 25 plus years ago and this was a great starting point for up and coming bands. i went to school next door and this pub has been there since then, don't think it was called the tote then, but i'm 47 now and this pub has always been there for live music. really disappointed with this. it really is the big clubs with the uncontrollable voilence that has cause the little pub to close. shut down these big clubs and bring back the smaller non pokie live music pubs. how this doesn't happen and the tote is saved at the eleventh hour.
Spud Wilson
The Espy has been getting rather hip-hop oriented lately. If the Arthouse closes, thats another decent venue gone. If the Ding-Dong Lounge closes after that, I'm leaving the fucking country.
It's a small part of Melbourne's culture. Stupid Brumby, another one for the list, Does anyone remember voting for this clown. I guess not. Nobody voted for you before, and nobody will vote for you in November because your doing a pathetic job.
Welcome Ted, first stop, SECURE THE TOTE!
[...] you haven’t done it yet, please sign the petition to keep live music alive in Melbourne and [...]
The government needs to wake up and smell the roses….seriously! It has to be said that when people go to a LIVE! event they are going with the intention of enjoying a good performance and for the most part are satisfied to do just that …. enjoy themselves….. At a full metal gig …. admittedly an all ages one that I had the pleasure of helping put together at our local PCYC a senior member of the police service attended for the purpose of observation of the crowds behaviour. This member remarked at the end of the night after the crowd had gone home that upon arrival he was extremely concerned by the look and the dress of the individuals in the crowd…. so much so that he authorised extra officers for the night…. (judging books by covers) perceived anguish, no other reason. However by the end of the night he had changed his mind big time and said he would gladly have a metal night with loud, live angry music like that every week as opposed to the blue light disco's they currently now sponsor at the venue as the crowd was found to be polite and extremely well ordered. I tell you this as an example and to suggest that maybe doing a breakdown on all the violent incidents that are occuring wouldn't be a bad idea and see if they are happening at or around the LIVE venues or are they happening at or around the clubbing venues??? The statistical data needs to be corrolated it really does!!!
[...] Go forth, sign the petition, no harm can come from it. [...]
[...] SLAM S.L.A.M (Save Live Australian Music) – Don't Kill Live Music Home Join SLAM SLAM NETWORK Links Media Downloads Videos SIgn the Petition [...]
Ha! Mister Brumby, an unelected Premier.
He really is a blue suited fascist. He failed in his attempts to become Premier in the past and now that he's inherited it he has vindicated all the people that rejected him. What a maroon, what an idiot and a turn coat. This is the party of the Arts, he makes me pine for Beazley! Jesus wept I had Beazley pegged all wrong, he was the man to save the heart of this bigoted country, to bring out the good in us all and help us reach some state of Nirvana in our miserable, corporate lives.
I tell ya, if this bastard in his Italian suits gets this wrong I for one will ONLY vote Green, no matter what the preferences say. I will vote for Bob and his Brown Brigade and no other, in fact I will JOIN the Bob Brown Borthers! As musos and/or a lovers of live music, if this fellow wants to condemn us to a Sydney-like music scene, we should all sit on the steps of Parliament House in Spring street with as many placards as we can muster. It's worth it. Many things are worth picketing for but for me this is the most important. Who wants to organise it?…….. oh, and this IS about Melbourne. I'm not interested in wasting my time for any other state. I would love to see this expand across the board, but I would rather succeed in one state at least first rather than come close but failing in every state, and this fight will be won or lost in a matter of weeks and a fight back is either never going to happen or nigh on impossible to mobilise.
My housemate recently lost a job he had mentoring troubled youth. He lost it cos the police no longer have the resources to staff their part of it cos of the new station opened in the city to 'fight alcohol fueled violence' and as a result the program can not go ahead – the police's role was central to it. Very shortsighted and dumb.
The Greens’ four simple steps can save live music.
Target violence, not talent: Make the trigger/s for special licence conditions a history of violence, levels of alcohol consumption, late night operations or patron numbers, NOT the presence of live or amplified music.
Strike the right balance: Liquor licensing policies and laws should support the aims of a state Live Music Policy, which . should make it clear that changes to licence conditions MUST be assessed for their impact on the viability of live music venues as well as reducing alcohol related violence.
Give live music the attention it deserves: As a major feature of Melbourne’s culture, protecting and promoting live music should be a key job for the Arts and Tourism Ministers. They should create a forum where all parts of the Live Music community can be a sounding board for proposed changes to licence conditions.
Abandon the 2am lockout: The state government has a law before the parliament to introduce a 2am lockout. The Greens oppose this because the trial simply didn’t work, leaving people wandering the streets and making everyone less safe.
http://www.kathleenmaltzahn.com/
Raking longstanding iconic and still vital live music venues, in both the city and the suburbs, in with those disgraceful grain-alcohol emitting cesspits you've promulgated all along (for the money it makes for the state) makes you look like you wouldn't know the first thing about the heart of capital city of the state you supposedly oversee. It makes you look more of a jackbooted moron than Kennet with the pokies, because it's keener and more personal. It's art. It's a part of Melbourne that's very highly prized. Hands off. Think about it.
It's not just about Melbourne, or about live music nationally.. or even just about curbing alcohol-fuelled violence.
There is no excuse for a government to impose restrictions on the freedom of expression and the religion of creativity that Melbourne is made of, except to implant us in a time and place where such basic freedom and human rights are to be routinely trampled upon by governments financially influenced by everything BUT personal and national sovereignty. What they're trying to say is: "Your drunk mates are easy targets. Get used to being rounded up like sheep".
It's all a part of the plan to make you fear, and reach for the protection of arcane legislation.
Now, who feels like making their pornographic debut through an airport body scanner?
vICTORIA GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE SHAME SHAME SHAME OFF YOURSELF
Wake the fuck up Brumby!
Melbourne is one of the last cities in the world to have a reasonably thriving music scene! it's what melbourne is known for!
Publicans and muso's alike are struggling enough already without you fucking things up!
here's a simple answer.. perhaps you could take some of our hard earnt billions you get (read WASTE) each year from the Casino, alchohol and cigarette TAXES, and actually put a lot more cops on the beat, and stop the voilence that way instead of penalizing pubs and muso's….
Or perhaps you could spend more on educating the bogans from the outer suburbs that seem keen on coming to the city and knifing or beating the living fuck out of people for kicks… get the cause of the problem.
IT'S NOT THE PUB'S FAULT….
I too have signed the petition, despite the detail being ill conceived. Bad Bad Bad! You will probably find that you have supporters capable of communicating a policy response and you should harness them. Beurecrats in your midst! Not all are the enemy and your supporters aren't a homogenous mass!
Rage donated the money raised..
Australia is now one of the most regulated and legislated countries in the world. Try and do anything in this country, and there will be a regulation or fine waiting for you. And if the goverment dont like the rules, we just make new ones. Excuse me sir !! do you have a permit to take a dump in your toilet after 10pm?
Kevin Rudd wants to regulate the internet but hands off our music Brumby !!!
I live in NSW these days, but if they manage to effectively shut down or futher regulate the music scene in Victoria, it will have serious repercussions for all musicians and lovers of live music Australia wide.
Dear Melbourne
I met you in the 70's and fell in love with your music, restaurants and vibrancy. In those days you wore emboidered flares and bright colours and I could go anywhere with you in safety and comfort. What has happened to the lovely face that I knew….. I went away and you stayed …… I came back and we can no longer listen to the music and dance in the night. So Sad.
Let’s get to Tuesday’s SLAM rally and push our case!!
I’ve already made a noose out of a spare guitar lead!
Hey Brumby……….and your dopey, lazy, number crunching policy makers – FUCK YOU!
………..see you at the election!
Small, inner city bar just forced to cancel a regular, low key, mid week audio visual night, attracting those interested in being entertained by local talent not getting smashed. Have they all gone mad?
What do we value? The arts have always been the bastion that has stimulated and cultivated the richness of our lives, our experience – our communities. Without the ability to express, explore, or experiment – what are we left with? No much. Stagnation? That's what a fucking DJ is – reliving the same identical moment/sounds over and over. Within the safety of a corporate culture, there is little more than repetition and routine. And if you ever listened to the Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols, Pink Floyd (which I'll wager the majority of the decision makers here gratefully did) – then you KNOW shutting down live music is bullshit. Throw open the doors of the Tote – crank up the amps – and give 'em hell. Art + Live = Alive.
We've had pokies in pubs and now this. Dont close it down, anyone who supports live music I support. I will go and eat at the Rainbow hotel because I am grateful to any venue that keeps the tradition going….from England and Ireland to indigenous cultures etc. We must appreciate music, because its a part of our culture.
Regulators should look at live music venues with low histories of violence as models, not as dangerous places
Rock on Melbourne!
yeah right . so they are saying . violence and drunkardness are the result of live venues and gig's .
dont they think for a sec that maybe , just maybe it has something to do with Grog. and then there's the TV's in heaps of pubs with Cage fighting ,MMA and the rest.. Ask any ER worker if they have ever had to treat a Victim of live music.
Melbourne is a city rich with creative talent and budding artists like myself!!!!!!! I love Melbourne for its supportive crowds and most importantly gig venues that welcome un-established artists to perform their music to the public. If our gig venues close down then it will simply ruin the careers of many Melbourne artists. Everyone needs a place to either listen, dance, perform or just hang out with friends at a music venue!
Please dont close down Melbourne music venues or our music will be homeless…… and our passion needs a home!!!!!
if you want to know what happens to a city's live scene when rules and laws get out of control, go to Sydney anytime in the last 20 years. dead as a door nail. apparently they're onto it though. they're attempting to get live music going again. they know how dead they have been. brumby and co. want to swap places. trouble is, they wouldn't know the difference and that's why we have to tell them. bloody genius's!
Listen up Mr Brumby. We all probably all dislike the LIberals but the actions recently undertaken by your Government start make it look incredibly similar to that bunch; has anyone voted for the Greens and given preferences to the LIberals before ( a nasty taste, yes)? Is it going to take a protest of this type to get you to really listen?
If the venue was there first, the venue has right to be there. Anyone that moves into an area with music venues should stop bitching & put up or get the F@#K out of the area!!
It seems to me that politicians enjoy the kudos of their capital city being a great hub of live music but they are unwilling to foster and protect this part of the culture.
One of the Dept of justice's strategic priorities for 2009-10 is "minimising social harm from alcohol misuse". The policy in place is totally counterproductive towards this aim.
I'm in France too Vinz – and its true that this problem of lack of musical venues (for up and coming bands) has been going on here for a while; while I wouldnt say its "worse" – its certainly "en par". At least in the "pays des baguettes" we have fairly open "festivals" here in France (which are relatively 'open' for young talents); and which seem to be strictly "controlled" in Australia…. but still, essentially you are right.
I hope it worked out for you still – do you play in France anywhere nowadays? let us know!
) I'm always up for new tunes!
Get to the root of the problem…Half the reason for growing violence is because of LACK of entertainment. Everyone needs an outlet and slowly but surely, parks pubs , live music venues or what have you are being taken away. I am with a band, we play every weekend, we have 200 or more people of different ages and cultures, and not one bit of agro. EVER . Everyone dances, laughs and gets along. We promote this. Then they go home feeling good, got the week out of their system…with a smile on their face…ready for the next day. LIVE music is part of the cure.
The Live Music Scene in Victoria has suffered a few severe blows in the past twenty years. Remember when the Pokie's became legal? totally wiped out the suburban live music scene and had a big impact on the Melb' scene.
Now they want to implement some bylaw that has more grey areas than Cheech & Chongs brains!
Really guys, you need to sit down and brainstorm this one again and think of the implications it will have on the
live venues.
The way it is only the big guys will survive and maybe thats what they want.
KEEP MUSIC LIVE!!!!!!
Live music is dying because Polititians can’t and never will be able to an honest days work for an honest days pay and thier only interest is screwing as much money out of the working man as they can. Bob Marley sang “Never make a politician, grant you a favour. They will always want to control you forever” from the song “Revolution” is an example that ALL POLITICIANS ARE CORRUPT! be it Peter Garratt (what a sell out (read
wanker/hypocrite) he has become Brumby our “UNELECTED” Premier> Bracks and Thwaites where did they go were they under the microscope??
awesome! well said Alexander and Maz!
Lets not forget the HUGE impact on live music in Victoria, with the introduction of Tabaret pokies, by former Labor Premier Joan Kirner. This led to the conversion of our favorite band venues (must mention Cross Keys Hotel & the mighty Bell St Rock!) to pokie palaces.. & the addiction to pokies tax revenue continues obscenely with Premier Brumby.. The increase in licence fees now seems to be the final death knell. So much for the previously much-touted labor government "support" of the arts and music, by the one-eyed lefties..
[...] to demand more than the token accord, download, sign and return the petition – they need at least 20,000 paper petitions for it to [...]
are americans allowed to sign this petition
green square years ago also? (please correct me) I've been there MANY times to see bands, although from melbourne… still
Don't people from all over the world come to experience our live music culture here in Melbourne? Think about what you're doing for tourism also!
Music is a UNIVERSAL language, people LIVE to see live acts, people LIVE to play to punters.
so they take away live music and then all people have to do is drink and look at each other and of course the violence is going to miraculously subside!!!!
The violence is not at the live venues – it is at the nightclubs that have music until 3 am and continuing to serv alcohol to people who are clearly intoxicated. Removing all live entertainment is not going to solve any of the problem.
People who go and see bands often regularly go and see those bands and tend to know each other. The violence is on the streets after being in a club drinking.
Don't close live venues, increase the police presence on the streets, and close nightclubs at 1am as a start.
This is absolutely ludicrous! Wake up government! Your rationale does not make any sense to the general community, in fact I am not sure that there is any rationale in your planning. Take time out, listen to the music …. or at the very least the public who clearly have not been listened to until now!.
not just vic that is seeing this perth is having the same problems, if you arent a dj no stage time for you
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