Feature: Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has responded to calls from the City’s music community – who asked for more support for musicians and music venues – saying “live music has been part of our city’s DNA for more than 60 years”.

Gold Coast musicians recently took to social media to plead to Gold Coast Council asking for more back-up when it came to supporting local home-grown music.

When YELO editor Penny Brand did a quick survey on the city’s Facebook music groups asking users where they wanted to see the most change, she was overwhelmed with responses.

But the consensus was clear: Gold Coast musicians wanted more live music venues which could support louder music, and establishments which could host original local acts with a “captive audience”.

They also said musos were grossly underpaid and that the city was full of cover/tribute bands.

Cr Tate has been Mayor of the Gold Coast since 2012 and has always pushed for three key outcomes: keeping rates low, delivering value-for-money services, and reducing council debt.

But where does the Gold Coast live music scene fit into all that?

Cr Tate – who apparently loves sushi and The Beatles – told YELO that Council had not given up on the local music industry and was investing in venues, parklands, outdoor stages and support services, making it “core business of this Council”. 

“The 2021 Live Music Action Plan underscores how serious we are about this industry,” Cr Tate said.

“The plan was written by stakeholders, with a (music advisory) committee guiding its development.”

Cr Tate said Council’s latest “evolution” was the establishment of a Music Office in Southport, with plans already for that office to open soon.

“Broadly speaking, we are reviewing current programs and undertaking stakeholder engagement in relation to how we can support venues.

“Council has undertaken a long-term project whereby establishing the third, Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP), in Australia (based on Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley model) to separate noise management from the Office of Liquor and Gaming in order for this to be managed by Council.

“Three live music venues have signed licenses with the City and a campaign is being developed to encourage more applications. This is the first project in this space which has taken many years to complete. Other proposals will be considered as the need and demand from stakeholders arise.”

Cr Tate said other ventures such as Songhubs (song writing programs) with APRA/AMCO, had been a major success, with the most recent program curated by Gold Coast-born and LA-based producer M-Phazes.

As a result of the Coast’s Songhubs 2023 program, he said several artists such as Bella Amor, Logan and Beckah Amani went on to showcase their music at BIGSOUND, an annual conference for Australian musicians.

Cr Tate was glowing about Gold Coast musician Yorke’s song “Cashew” which had just hit seven million views on TikTok. Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfogm2Q0KIQ.

And Logan, a 21-year-old local lad, was quoted by Rolling Stone Magazine as “Australia’s new Prince of Pop“, he said. You can check out Logan’s video shot around the Gold Coast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytEl8-cvzJ8.  

Cr Tate said other recent outcomes of the live music plan included an Internal Music Steering Committee, formed to escalate music engagement, and the promotion and support of in-venue programs of Southport such as Block Party, involving three licensed venues within the SEP core, scheduled for November. 

The mayor said Council continued to support musicians with mentoring programs, and bursaries for musicians and music businesses.

Funding support for the Gold Coast Music Network would continue to drive sector development and deliver the Gold Coast Music Awards, he said.

Other Council live music news projects include:

1. Bursaries for the Australian Women in Music conference
2. A Professional Placement program which includes music organisations, events and venues
3. New venue development plans to grow artists and audiences
4. Music merchandise funding to support long-term commercial outcomes
5. Funding festivals to support local musicians and local venues e.g. Blues on Broadbeach

It will be “Beatlemania” when Sir Paul McCartney visits the Gold Coast on November 4 for his Australian tour’s last stop at Heritage Bank Stadium.

Cr Tate (pictured in main photo with fellow councillors) said: “This is exciting news for the Gold Coast and proof that we’re cementing our reputation as a world-class entertainment city”.

For more information on Gold Coast Council’s future plans for live music visit: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Council-region/Future-plans-budget/Plans-policies-strategies/Our-plans/Music-Action-Plan.

See what Gold Coast music lovers, musicians and promoters want to see from their city here: City’s music community speaks out.

Don’t forget to send us all your Sunshine Coast live music, Brisbane live music, and Gold Coast live music news, reviews, and gigs here!