Support act: Aussie artists back live music push – Canberra CityNews

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By Lisa Martin and Alex Mitchell in Sydney
Musicians who have opened for global superstars including Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd and Luke Combs are backing a plan intended to revitalise Australia’s live performance scene.
International music concert tours will get discounted arena hire fees at some of Australia’s largest venues if they choose home-grown acts to open their shows, the NSW government announced on Monday.
Just three Australian albums were in the ARIA top 100 charts in 2024, which Arts Minister John Graham labelled a “crisis”.
Venue hire fees will be reduced by $20,000 if at least one Australian artist is included as a support act on an international artist’s headline tour.
Electronic artist Anna Lunoe, who opened for Canadian star The Weeknd in his Australian tour last year, said the move would help local musicians get noticed abroad.
“Doing big international supports legitimises what you do as an art form, to the media and to the industry in a way they might not be familiar with if you’ve been overseas or working in the underground,” she said.
“It gives you a chance to flex your muscles on an international stage, looks really incredible in the international market and increases international opportunities as well.”
Australian singer-songwriter Budjerah, who has supported Ed Sheeran and featured on one of the English giant’s songs, agreed the plan would get more exposure for emerging artists.
“Opening for Ed was a really incredible opportunity for me, and a lot of the opportunities I get now probably are only because I got to open for him and perform for so many other people who now get to come back and come to one of my shows,” he said.
Oasis is touring Australia in October and November and has asked Australia’s Ball Park Music to open for them.
“There’s no denying the benefit of a big support slot. The opportunity to play your music live in front of a new audience is the best marketing we have as artists, the chance to showcase what we’re all about in the most real and authentic fashion,” Ball Park Music said.
The Australian performer or band must appear on the same stage as the international artist and be announced at the same time as the tour.
The Australian live music industry is struggling against streaming services that favour American tunes, and the local scene in NSW has taken a hit over the years since the pandemic and lockout laws.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said giving Aussie artists their first big break in front of thousands of locals will help them get high rotation on playlists.
“The Hoodoo Gurus got their first big break after they performed with Lou Reed in 1984,” Mr Minns said.
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