From comedy nights and musical theatre to live bands and DJs, venues across the state looking to kick-start or expand their live performance offerings can soon apply for the Live Performance Venue Accelerator program (Round 2).

The seven-week Accelerator program will provide participants with a series of workshops, networking opportunities and access to industry experts to help them to better understand their venue’s sound requirements, curate programming, engage with artists and develop new audiences to accommodate more live performance.

The Live Performance Venue Accelerator program is a key element of the NSW Government’s Vibrancy agenda to further support live music and hospitality venues and provide increased confidence and flexibility for the hospitality and creative sectors across NSW.

The Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner’s Live Performance Venue Program, which will now be open to venues statewide, is delivered under the NSW Government’s Venues Unlocked initiative, alongside Sound NSW.

Applications for the Accelerator open on 30 September 2024 and close on 4 November, 2024.

24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said: “We know that live performance has great benefits for venues, their customers, performers and the wider community, and this program gives participants guidance on how to embrace live performance as part of their offering.

“We are pleased to be able to open this program up to venues across the state for the first time.”

Saigon Hustle co-owner Deric Ly said: “The Live Performance Venue Accelerator Program provided us with access to experts, networking opportunities and the tools we needed to support live performance at our venue. We went from running live performance once a month to hosting it four days a week.

“We run a mix of live acoustic performers, DJs and live karaoke. Without the opportunity to participate in this program we would not have been able to reach our goals and support local musicians."

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