Funding of $850k is being granted to twenty live music venues, a new live music venue opens, and a motion is to be introduced to a state parliament to strengthen heritage laws in the wake of the petition to save ‘the Cranker’.
The attention on the industry has come about as requests to the South Australian government calling for further support have increased.
The state government responded by extending the See It LIVE Music Activation Fund, as calls came from venues requesting support after the closure of six Adelaide nightclubs over November and December last year.
Aside from funding, the venues will be offered free business advisory services including one-on-one consultations to assess each individual need.
The venues are spread across the Adelaide CBD, Adelaide’s greater metropolitan area and in regional areas of South Australia.
Hugh Scobie, co-owner of Ancient World, was one successful applicant, and the venue will receive $60k in funding.
Mr Scobie said knowing the venue would not shut down over the coming months was a relief, and the funds would be used to pay performers.
“It’s an absolute lifeline,” he said, adding that it meant “certainty for all parties involved”.
Andrea Michaels, Arts Minister for South Australia said “Our live music venues play a vital role in supporting the careers of emerging artists and contribute significantly to the cultural life of our state – reflected through our designation as a UNESCO City of Music.”
Meanwhile, the Adelaide CBD has welcomed new venue Velvet Underground to the scene. The venue is located under the King William Hotel (formerly the Ambassador Hotel) and is set to be the hotel’s ‘sister venue and basement bar’.
Velvet Underground takes some of the vibes of its namesake’s era, supporting local artists in a gritty yet thriving dive bar atmosphere.
One of the four co-founders, Annie Medlen said, “Our goal with Velvet Underground is to provide a platform for artists to showcase their talent and for audiences to engage with and enjoy a diverse range of performances. Adelaide deserves more live entertainment spaces, and we’re proud to contribute to the city’s vibrant arts scene.”
The founders are keen to create a strong community for Adelaide artists, and in keeping with the ethos have chosen to showcase a variety of funky, small batch wines for the beverage list.
Another co-founder, Sam Brittain, said “This is a place for everyone to come together and be part of our growing community of artists, performers, and entertainment enthusiasts.”
As these venues begin to thrive, the ‘Save the Cranker’ petition has gained over 16k signatures as well as attention from Robert Simms, the Greens’ Heritage and Planning MLC.
Mr Simms will introduce a motion to parliament calling for a strengthening of heritage laws and for protection of the 171-year-old building, asking that the cultural and social value of The Crown & Anchor be reflected in the laws.
The heritage-listed pub has been a live music venue for decades, but the application for partial demolition and adaptive reuse by its current owners, Singapore-based developer Wee Hur Holdings Limited, could mean the venue is turned into student housing.
“It’s clear that our state heritage laws don’t go far enough in terms of recognising the cultural and social value of heritage sites like the Cranker,” Mr Simms said.
Nick Champion, Planning Minister said “the built form is protected… you can’t really protect the culture that surrounds a particular building.”
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Venues awarded funding under the See It LIVE Music Activation Fund are:
- Wheatsheaf Hotel (Thebarton)
- Ancient World (CBD)
- Grace Emily Hotel (CBD)
- Jive (CBD)
- Semaphore Workers Club (Semaphore)
- Rhino Room and Lowlife Bar (CBD)
- Murray Delta Juke Joint (Goolwa)
- The Three Brothers Arms (Macclesfield)
- Exeter Hotel (CBD)
- Big Easy Radio (Aldinga Beach)
- Lion Arts Factory (CBD)
- Unibar ADL (CBD)
- The Gov (Hindmarsh)
- Arthur (CBD)
- Woodshed (Royal Park)
- Nexus Arts (CBD)
- My Lover Cindi (CBD)
- Confession (Port Adelaide)
- Prompt Creative Centre (CBD)
- Broadcast Bar (CBD)
