Election Eve, and pubs, bars and clubs across Sydney are protesting via a bout of silence, as a reminder to revellers what nightlife looks like without live music and entertainment.
The ‘Turn it Down, To Turn it Up’ initiative is a product of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and Independent Bars Association, which has been championing regulations to encourage the revival and growth of Sydney’s night-time economy and venues since before the devastating lockout laws were repealed.
Venues joining the protest and shutting the music off include Stitch Bar on York St, Earl’s Juke Joint on King St in Newtown, and Solotel’s The Marly in Newtown, and newly reopened The Abercrombie in Chippendale.
Friday, 24 March, at 9.30pm, the venues will go quiet for a time to amplify the cause.
NTIA CEO Mick Gibb warns Sydney needs more than scenery to attract people, and without cultural offerings and the night economy the city’s buzz could “totally disappear”.
“There’s been great progress to improve Sydney’s nightlife, but we can’t throw our hands in the air and say, ‘job done’,” he says.
“If we don’t have a world-class nightlife offering we won’t be a world-class city where skilled workers want to come and live.
“This initiative isn’t about telling people who to vote for. It’s about making a clear statement that the night matters and that live music matters by supporting the Vote Music campaign.”
For more information, see votemusic.com.au
