The coronavirus crisis has brought Launceston's live music scene to its knees.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And there are fears that without further support, it may not return to its former glory for many years.
Adrian Barrett owns Eight Oh Eight, an events company specialising in music and live entertainment.
IN OTHER NEWS:
- Coronavirus survivor Naida Jillett, 73, donates plasma for national treatment trial
- Tasmania delays decision on borders reopening until July 31
- Tasmanian elective surgery waiting lists at 'all time high' pre-COVID restrictions
- Unfair dismissal case against Senator Jacqui Lambie to recommence in September
Originally from Hobart, Mr Barrett moved to Launceston in 2017 and said he'd seen the music scene thrive since then, comparing it to when the Hobart scene began to pick up in the late 2000s.
"In the last three years, Launceston has gone from a few touring shows, to being part of the touring events circuit again," he said.
Mr Barrett said Launceston was once synonymous with live music, especially when Clint Pease's Opcon was organising MS Fest and the Breath of Life festival.
Before COVID-19, the industry was finally starting to pick up again after a prolonged down period.
"You have MONA FOMA and Vibes Town up here, as well as us. We are all trying to grow and rebuild parts of the [industry] in the North of the state" Mr Barrett said.
The hit to the entertainment sector during the COVID-19 crisis has been well-documented and Mr Barrett says the recently announced federal support package is too little, too late.
The state government launched an arts stimulus package in March, for which applications have since closed. An element of the package was a contemporary music fund, which offered grants of up to $15,000 to musicians who had lost work to record music and music videos for distribution and promotion on digital platforms.
Then there was the small business hardship grant program, which also offered payments of up to $15,000 to eligible small businesses.
Mr Barrett was disappointed to discover Eight Oh Eight had only received one of the government's $2500 small business emergency grants.
But what incensed him most were the reasons given for the refusal of the $15,000 grant, all of which he disputes.
In a letter to Mr Barrett, State Growth Department deputy secretary Bob Rutherford said his application had not met the threshold to receive funding under several criteria, including "economic growth and social benefit to the community".
"We are involved in over $1 million dollars' worth of ticketed events in the state a year," Mr Barrett said.
"If that's the letter the government is going to send out and that's their attitude to this industry ... it has the potential to derail the working event and entertainment industry in Tasmania for years to come."
Sarah Triffitt, vocalist in alternative rock band Paper Souls, said venues needed to book more artists to perform original material instead of relying on cover bands.
"Launceston, generally, has always been a bit light on in support from pubs and venues," she said.
"Nobody's really willing to pay - it feels like a bit of an inconvenience at times."
Ms Triffitt said she was excited by the opportunities live-streaming presented for artists, something that's happening more and more as a result of COVID restrictions.
Arts Minister Elise Archer acknowledged the "significant impact" the pandemic was having on the state's cultural and creative industries but said Tasmania's arts stimulus package had been recognised as the best state package on a per capita basis.
"In addition to this funding, cultural and creative industries businesses have accessed $4.3 million through the business loans and grants stimulus support program," she said.
"Our government will continue to look at more ways to support the arts."
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor: