Gudinski Finds ‘Live Solution’

One of Australian promoter Michael Gudinski’s companies, Mushroom Marketing, has set up an initiative to oppose alcohol-fueled violence.

The message put out through this new “Live Solution” campaign, says Gudinski, is that, “Live music is a positive shared experience and while there is lots of energy in these crowds, alcohol-fueled violence is rarely a part of this scene.”

He believes that solutions for tackling violence must come from the music community.

Live Solution is putting on a consciousness-raising concert April 26 at live music venue The Corner Hotel in Melbourne. Similar events will roll out nationally through the year.

Tensions still simmer over moves by the state of Victoria’s government to address club violence by increasing licensing and security fees for venues.

A group of venue owners have begun a campaign to unseat Victoria’s premier, John Brumby, at the November state elections.
A group of musicians marched to the steps of Parliament April 7 to hand over a petition signed by 22,000 people urging the government to stick to its promise of removing high-risk conditions on venues.

The group included Spiderbait’s, Mondo Rock’s Ross Wilson and singer-songwriters Clare Bowditch and Angie Hart.

Meanwhile, The Tote –the live music venue whose closure from $75,000 debts due to the increased fees caused the grassroots tide of protest – has been bought by venue operator Seventh Tipple.

Seventh Tipple already runs Bar Open, Pony and Yah Yah’s.

The plan is to refurbish the club, buy the name from the former licensee, and reopen by early June with a nighttime street festival.