A mass protest is being organised for Sydney’s streets next week in response to the recent round of music festival regulation implemented by the New South Wales state government.
In a statement, Don’t Kill Live Music Australia, the organisers of the rally, say the new regulation is “ill-considered”, won’t save lives and is “decimating our music culture in the process”.
“Overbearing regulation, exorbitant police bills, a lack of respect for NSW businesses, and very little recognition of the significant positive impacts of music on our communities is forcing music out of NSW,“ the statement read.
“The State Government have declared a war on music and culture in NSW, proclaiming that music, and music festivals are high risk activities.”
The new regulation requires music festivals to apply for a new special liquor license in order to continue operating. NSW music festivals Mountain Sounds and Psyfari recently had to cancel their upcoming events as a result of unexpected costs stemming from the new regulation. Both festivals are signatories to an associated petition calling on the NSW state government to reconsider the policy. Other high-profile names including Amy Shark, Music Victoria, Beyond the Valley, Courtney Barnett, Frontier Touring Unified Music Group and Triple R radio have backed the petition.
At the time of publication, the Facebook event for the protest has more than 3,700 people attending.
For more information, head to the protest Facebook event.
