Australasia News: Australia Govt. Supports Live; Milk & Honey Opens Sydney Office; NZ: Christchurch Stadium Promo

AUSTRALIA

Australia Government Supports Live

With the summer festival season starting Oct. 1 and isolation conditions still in place for COVID patients, the Australian government brought in the Live Performance Support Scheme.

Lasting through Feb.23, it gives a defined percentage of expected revenue cover losses for concerts and festivals affected by isolation requirements for creatives and crew testing positive for COVID-19.

Arts minister Tony Burke said, “Organisers still face enormous financial risks putting on events that cannot be commercially insured against COVID-19.”

Live Performance Australia chief executive Evelyn Richardson noted the screen industry already had a similar net since 2020, “and the live sector faces the same issues.”

Milk and Honey Opens Sydney Office

Sydney became the sixth office for management company Milk and Honey, after Los Angeles, London, New York, Nashville and Dallas.

It is headed by Milly Petriella who spent 27 years as director of member relations of rights management company APRA AMCOS.

It made her “one of the most beloved executives in Australia and New Zealand by songwriters and artists,” said president and founder Lucas Keller, adding, “We want to be the pre-eminent management company in the territory for songwriter and producer management.”

Petriella will sign acts with a focus on women.
Aside from being Australasia’s managing director, she also has a global role within Milk and Honey as director of cultural and social responsibility.

Strong Start For Summer Raves

Sydney’s summer raves season returned to a strong sellout start, some returning after two years, and with international headliners.
The first weekend in October had 64,000 at two events with 30 more set before autumn.

HSU (Harder Styles United)’s Knockout Outdoors drew 44,000 to Sydney Olympic Park and Fuzzy’s Listen Out had 20,000 at Centennial Park. HSU already sold 50,000 tix for Epik on Dec. 10 at Sydney Showgrounds.

Fuzzy celebrates its 10th Hot Dub on the Harbour Nov. 18, Festival X is set to draw 44,000 Dec. 3 at the Showground, and Hardware is on Dec. 9 at the Hordern Pavilion.

NEW ZEALAND

New Website To Promote Christchurch Venue

Christchurch venue management organisation Venues Ōtautahi launched a new website to promote its NZ$683 million (US$382.6 million)Te Kaha venue, to open mid-2026.

With 30,000 seats (25,000 permanent), and a 36,000 capacity for large concerts ,it will also host sports, exhibitions and business events.

The website hospitality offerings and commercial partnership opportunities with 23 corporate suites, a large function lounge, terraces, 32 food and beverage outlets.