Live music
Live music is a vital part of the cultural fabric and identity of Sydney's Inner West. It is a part of our creative expression, encouraging social and economic benefits and generating opportunities for the local community to connect and celebrate.
Council is supporting existing and new live music venues with a range of programs.
How are we supporting live music?
Following the release of the City of Sydney's Live Music and Performance Action Plan (2014), Council undertook a range of actions to support local live music and night-time economies. Related cultural planning/ regulatory investigations have been incorporated. Key local initiatives include:
- Working to improve regulatory conditions for small scale live music and cultural activities. For further information contact Jarrad Sheather on 9392 5210 or jarrad.sheather@innerwest.nsw.gov.au
- Providing the Live Music Planning Liaison Service for independent planning assistance with planning issues related to live music and other creative activities in the Inner West.
- Participating in the Live Music Taskforce, including collaborating with the City of Sydney, Newcastle Council, Wollongong Council and City of Parramatta
- Initiating the Off Broadway plan to activate Parramatta Road by encouraging live music and arts activity
- Collaboration with the City of Sydney on a pilot program with Music NSW and the Live Music Office, Amplify, to give local venues targeted support with music programming
- The Live Music Marrickville Action Plan (2015) included: a $50,000 grants program (for audience development, all ages gigs and noise abatement); identifying an arts planning representative; and, the Sydenham Creative Hub initiative to activate live music and creative industries in Sydenham/East Marrickville
- Council is teaming up with FBi Radio to launch its new online gig guide, The Lineup, showcasing a feast of local talent and venues. FBi brings their knowledge to help source local gigs, news and reviews and Council plays host to The Lineup’s online calendar.
Featuring local artists on Council’s phone lines
Inner West Council is replacing its standard phone line music with tracks made by local artists.
From December 2023 Council is featuring the following four local artists and their tracks. AJ Stanton, Smalls and Coast were featured at the 2023 Marrickville Music Festival and Stiff Gins and SistaNative were supported by an Inner West Council Arts Grant:
'Kissed', by AJ Stanton
'Tail Lights', by SMALLS
'Of The River', by Coast
'One Voice', by Stiff Gins and SistaNative
Inner West Live Music and Performance Census 2019
The Inner West Live Music Census 2019 project mapped mapped live music and performance across art-forms and comedy through September and October 2019.
This research was undertaken through monitoring available programs, gig guides, social media, connecting with industry participants across the music and hospitality industry, as well as events programmers and Council.
The Inner West Live Music Census 2019 was produced independently by John Wardle, supported by an Inner West Council Independent Artists Grant. The project was undertaken by the Live Music Office in partnership with The Sydney Fringe Festival, and supported by an Inner West Council Independent Artists Grant.