Cafe owner welcomes live music survey
A Woy Woy cafe owner has welcomed a State Government survey of musicians, artists and venue providers in the live music scene, according to Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.
"The anonymous Live Music Survey forms part of a wider research project that will combine economic analysis, venue mapping data and audience research to inform the NSW Government's strategic policy for contemporary music - and creating a vision for a vibrant arts and cultural scene in NSW," she said.
Link and Pin proprietor Mr Adam Brzozowski described the survey as a pleasing development.
"This is a highly positive show of support as it gives us - as venue owners, operators and booking agents - the opportunity to provide constructive feedback to the government on the future of the live music scene in NSW."
He said he and his partner Milly purchased Link and Pin almost three years ago with the main intention of supporting live, original music.
In the three years since Adam and Milly took over the ownership of Link and Pin, the Woy Woy venue has played host to around 450 bands from a wide range of music genres, from Latin American to country and pub rock, as well as high school bands.
Mr Brzozowski said he would like to see greater co-ordination between liquor licensing authorities, Council and State government.
"The State laws for live music have never been better, but if Council is not onboard, it can create challenges for live music venues such as ours.
"We support the government's focus on new live music venues, but we also believe support needs to be given to existing venues.
"We are feeling confident about the future of our venue, and live music in general, and we know how much of a cultural impact our venue is making in our little region.
"Venues like ours - and the artists and musicians we support here at Link and Pin - are good for the town.
"We employ locals; locals attend the venue in support of local bands, and our venue attracts visitors to Woy Woy who end up staying the night and spending time here enjoying the Central Coast.
"We feel like we're a part of that."
Ms Tesch said that more than half of the live music venues in NSW have been lost in the past decade, with just 137 venues left.
"This survey will help shine a light on the roadblocks holding the industry back," she said.
"Their unique voices and perspectives - and that includes the good, the bad and the ugly - need to be heard, and their contributions to the vibrancy of our community acknowledged."
SOURCE:
Media release, 21 Nov 2023
Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford