This Is Why All Your Favourite Music Festivals Have Changed Their Profile Pictures Today
Festivals from around Australia have come together against the NSW Government's policies.
You might have noticed that earlier today, a stack of festivals and music organisations around the country simultaneously changed their Facebook profile pictures to a square of white noise.
The reason is that major events such as Splendour, Falls, and Laneway — alongside boutique festivals like Output and This That — and industry bodies such as ARIA and APRA AMCOS, have united to oppose the draconian new NSW Government regulations that have been rushed through by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
The new regulations have classified 14 NSW festivals into a “higher risk” category — a classification that is based on seemingly ambiguous criteria that even the government isn’t across. It has put several festivals’ futures in jeopardy, including Laneway, prompting a coalition of promoters and organisers to take the NSW Government to court. Even Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea got stuck into the government about it.
With the NSW election coming up on March 23, the campaign — under the banner of #VoteMusic — is urging all fans of music in state to vote to save their favourite events.
“Right now, live music in NSW is under threat through poorly-designed and heavy-handed new regulations for music festivals,” the #VoteMusic alliance said in a statement today.
“The music industry was willing to work constructively with government before it introduced these regulations. That failed so we’re now making sure our voices will be heard during the election campaign.”
The alliance writes that the live music industry is worth $1 billion in Australia — with a third of that being generated in New South Wales. Last year, more than 3.2 million people attended a live music event in NSW.
“This is an issue for candidates in both country and city electorates,” the alliance stated. “Live music events support local artists, local business and local economies.”Our simple message is this: If you care about live music in NSW, #VOTEMUSIC on March 23 (and make sure you preference every box).”
Watch the campaign video below, and don’t forget to vote on March 23.