Aussie Live Sector Worth $1.63B

The Australian live music sector generated US$1.63 billion in revenue and contributed $955 million to the economy in 2008, according to a study compiled by Ernst & Young.

The “Size And Scope Of The Live Entertainment Industry 2010” report was commissioned by Live Performance Australia (LPA), the peak body for live entertainment and performing arts industry.

It covers ballet, opera, dance, classical music, theatre and festivals, which combined employ 13,800 full-time positions totaling $745 million in wages.

The $1.63 billion turnover means the live sector is larger than film/video production, sports, book publishing and horse and dog racing.

Contemporary music is the largest, generating 40 percent of the profits and wages, followed by musical theatre and classical music.
Most music and arts associations were pleased with the figures.

Save Live Australian Music said such figures confirmed its call for live music to be incorporated into the government’s cultural policy. But the Music Managers Forum was concerned that the figures were based on LPA’s recent “Ticket Attendance and Revenue Survey” and not verified with those of its own.

The MMF also expressed “concern” that the study did not differentiate between overseas and Australian performers. It insinuated that Australian artists made a lot of money from playing gigs, therefore not needing government funding.