The Greens Propose $200 Music Vouchers To Youths Each Year To Help Revive Live Music

The NSW Greens are proposing a vouchers scheme that will see NSW youths receive $200 in vouchers to see live music in a bid to revive the state’s ailing live music scene.

 In a move that could inject some much-needed excitement into the local scene following the pandemic essentially decimating the industry for several years, those aged 15-24 would receive four lots of $50 vouchers - a total of $200 - to head to their live music venue of choice.

That includes festivals, DJ sets, small acoustic performances or those by international artists - pretty much the whole shebang.

Basically, the program would not be unlike the government's popular Dine and Discover program that we saw post-COVID.

Greens MP and spokesperson for arts and music, Cate Faehrmann said, “Our plan will give all 15 to 24 yr olds 4 x $50 vouchers each year to spend on any live music of their choice, whether it be a music festival, small acoustic set by one of our many home-grown singer song-writers, or a night dancing to their favourite DJ.

“Under our plan, we can make NSW the premier state again for music, arts, culture and nightlife and reclaim the title of the cultural capital of Australia. 

“Decades of chronic underfunding, a pandemic and more extreme weather have left our arts and cultural sector in NSW struggling to survive.”

She continued, “Music, arts and culture are a major driver of economic activity across NSW and for years these sectors have been treated with contempt by this government. 

Sydney-based producers and musos are rightfully stoked over the proposed move, saying it could provide a huge boost to the ailing industry.

"The younger age group would have gone through COVID-19 and therefore wouldn't have had an ability to see live music," Dale Harrison, bassist in hip hop group The Herd, told AAP.

“You want a venue to be filled with young people because they're going to be the people that continue on the path of your career," he added.