The live music industry is changing tune in the wake of the pandemic shake-up, giving venues more opportunity than ever to prosper from the drawcard of live entertainment.
Alongside pubs and all licensed venues, the live music industry has been hit hard by COVID-19, closures and the restricted trade of the past 10 months.
The pandemic amplified the increasing reduction the music industry has already been feeling in recent years, even beyond the detrimental effects of the lockout laws in Sydney.
Since the shutdowns, venues have had reduced capacity to engage the kind of ticketed acts that have traditionally rocked pubs, and patron restrictions have forced many to downsize performances to solo, duo or trio-sized acts.
But the bands that love to raise the roof are fighting back, finding innovative ways to garner gigs, including offering free performance to venues willing to put up suitable spaces, and organising promotion, ticketing and gate collection themselves.
Live music promoters Launch Squad have put together a showcase night of classic rock n’ roll, featuring Lies N’ Destruction, Australia’s ultimate Guns N’ Roses tribute act, bringing to life the “world’s most dangerous Rock N Roll band”, alongside KISStory, drawing on over five decades of music by one of the world’s most famous and enduring bands – Kiss, with support from theatrical glam rockers Crosson, pumping out hard-driving, stadium rock anthems.
The acts play a four-hour show, harking back to a day where rock was hard and flamboyant, re-creating the bands at the peak of their careers through the likes of everything from Sweet Child of Mine to I Was Made For Lovin’ You.
The “Giants of Rock” tour will span August to October, targeting venues in regional and coastal NSW, north to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
Giants of Rock precedes the actual Australian tours by the real Guns N’ Roses and Kiss, in November.
The tribute bands show gives venues outside the capitals the opportunity to capitalise on the upcoming hype.
Launch Squad director James Dawson says they are in the planning stages, offering flexible show deals and open to more destination suggestions “if we can make it work”.
“We’re working hard on this at the moment and speaking with venues with capacity for the show.”
Dawson says they are looking for pubs with a reasonable-sized stage and designated band room (with mirrors), and one point of entry. They can supply their own production.
Pubs interested in becoming a stop on the tour should contact Launch Squad.