The first of three Creative Australia Listening In reports to be published this year reveals that Australians’ engagement with live music is in decline.
Despite Australians’ apparent love of music, new research shows that engagement with local music is slipping – a trend being driven by rising costs, shifting priorities, and uneven access across the country.
The findings come from Listening In: Insights on Live Music Attendance, the first of three reports Music Australia will release in 2025. Drawing on national research conducted between April and June 2025, the series aims to uncover how Australians are discovering, consuming and connecting with music in a rapidly evolving landscape.
The Listening In series is designed to inform Music Australia’s strategy, support policy development and help the wider industry better understand audience behaviours and formulate strategies to strengthen that relationship.
Photo © Edward Cisneros/Unsplash
Live music remains a central part of the musical experience for many, particularly among younger Australians. The report highlights that young, music-engaged participants place a high value on live gigs for their social and emotional benefits, citing improved mental health, a sense of belonging and stronger personal relationships.
However, cost is emerging as the single biggest barrier to attendance. While ticket prices are a key concern, audiences also point to the financial burden of travel, accommodation, and venue-related expenses such as food and drink. These additional costs are making live music less accessible – particularly for those outside major urban centres, who also report fewer events and limited venue options.
“There’s a sense that some areas are far better served than others,” the report’s authors note, adding that a lack of awareness or local promotion can also reduce attendance.
The research draws a nuanced picture of audience priorities in 2025. While economic pressures are being felt across the board, particularly by younger Australians, many are still willing to make sacrifices to attend important events. Compared to 2019, young music lovers are spending more on entertainment and leisure, with many saying they are saving up or “breaking the bank” to see live music – often at the expense of other areas of their budget.
The report also explores how Australian music fits into the broader concert ecosystem. Local acts are seen as more accessible, and audiences express a clear desire to support homegrown talent. Yet many still prioritise international artists, particularly when their appearances are perceived as rare or one-off opportunities. This tendency creates additional challenges for emerging Australian musicians hoping to build local audiences through live performance.
Photo © Patrick Black/Pexels
Trends in venue attendance are also shifting. Large venues and music festivals are seeing a rise in audience numbers, while traditional grassroots venues like pubs and clubs are experiencing a decline. These smaller venues have historically been vital spaces for up-and-coming artists, raising concerns about the long-term health of the local music scene.
In a reflection of broader cultural and economic shifts, even alcohol consumption habits are changing. The report finds that while most music-goers still drink at live events, a growing number are cutting back or drinking beforehand due to the steep price of alcohol at venues.
Concerning also are more subtle trends affecting consumer behaviour, including a limited awareness of events and a lack of interest in going out; a trend that is growing for the youngest age groups surveyed.
Listening In follows on from Creative Australia’s Soundcheck research into music festivals in 2024, and sets the stage for two more reports examining broader listening behaviours and attitudes toward Australian music.
The next two instalments in the Listening In series will be released later in 2025.
Download the complete report here.
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