Australasia News: Petition To Save Bluesfest; Execs Back Booking Platform; NZ: Meow Nui Delayed

AUSTRALIA

NSW MP Petition To Save Bluesfest

Weeks after Byron Bay Bluesfest director Peter Noble suddenly announced that next year’s event would be the last after 35 years, New South Wales member of
parliament Tamara Smith launched an e-petition for the NSW government to offer it a rescue package.

“Bluesfest is not just a festival; it’s a crucial part of our community, our economy, and our cultural identity,” asserted Smith, a local member for Byron Bay. “We cannot afford to lose Bluesfest.”

She pointed out Bluesfest generated A$775 million ($524.2 million) for Byron Shire and over A$1 billion ($676.4 million) for NSW over the last decade – and supported 20,000 local jobs and tourism. If the petition reaches 20,000 signatures, parliament must debate the topic.

The first round of 19 acts for its April 17 to 20 edition included Crowded House, Gary Clark Jr, Rag’n’Bone Man, Vance Joy and Tones & I.

Dainty, Bohm, Stivala Back Booking Platform

TEG Dainty President Paul Dainty, Premier Artists managing director Frank Stivala, Seb and Adrian Bohm of Bohm Presents and Profile Talent Management chair Shaun Levin were among those spruiking the virtues of new online booking platform acta.

Set up by entertainment solicitor and artist manager Harris Meitanis, it distributes the entire fee to artists and their management reps. It charges talent bookers a fee per booking that is “separate to and above the talent fee.”

The platform launched with 2,500 singers, actors, comedians, athletes and others. In its two-year beta program it claimed support from over 90% of talent agencies and management companies, with over 2,000 clients generating A$4.7 million ($3.17 million) in direct talent payments from 725 booking contracts.

NEW ZEALAND

Wellington’s Meow Nui Opening Delayed

The much anticipated Aug. 30 opening of the 1,000-seat Meow Nui club in Wellington was delayed a few days out, forcing acts such as Drax Project and the Beths to reschedule.

Owner Damian Jones cited “commercial sensitivities” for lack of explanation. He and his wife have been running another club Meow for 15 years. The new sibling is a converted Salvation Army abandoned 1990 citadel church.

Auckland’s Double Whammy! just managed its Aug. 16 opening.

After announcing in May to break down the wall between Whammy Backroom and Wine Cellar to create a larger, 500-capacity room, the new co-owners had prior commitments. Lucy Macrae’s band Dick Move had a tour of Europe in June, and Tom Anderson was getting married in Italy.