MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS

MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP

MINISTER FOR CYBER SECURITY

MINISTER FOR THE ARTS

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

MEMBER FOR CUNNINGHAM

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to support our live music industry to keep venues open and festivals entertaining fans across the country.

Through the Revive Live program, the Albanese Labor Government will provide support to 105 organisations across Australia, including in the Cunningham electorate.

The funding ensures music venues and festivals remain open and accessible to all audiences.

Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP was thrilled to announce three local festivals would share in over $355,000 under the program:

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the program is continuing to provide much-needed support at a particularly difficult time for the Australian live music industry.

“We understand the challenges contributing to cancellations and closures among the live music scene, that’s why the Albanese Labor Government established Revive Live, to provide targeted support.

“Venue and festival owners across Australia have told me that Revive Live has provided the support they need to continue hosting and promoting live music.

“Gigs have always been a huge part of my life. I know the vital role live music venues and festivals play in providing local artists with the chance to perform, develop and grow audiences.

“Music lovers should be able to enjoy local gigs, artists should be able to make a career out of their music and Revive Live is doing just that.

Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP said local festivals were an important part of our vibrant culture and would help ensure people in the Illawarra could celebrate and listen to live music without needing to travel.

“Supporting our festivals means supporting jobs, supporting tourism, and ensuring local people can have fun and enjoy live music right here at home,” she said.

“It’s been such a tough few years, and I am so proud to be supporting these three great organisations to keep music and culture alive in Wollongong.”

“Not only this, but the funding helps to support local artists to get onto the stage and spread their music to bigger audiences, making sure that Australian music has a place in our live entertainment well into the future,” she said.

Adam Smith, Director of Yours and Owls said they’re grateful to the Albanese Government for backing Yours and Owls.

“This support allows us to continue championing Australian artists and delivering a festival the Illawarra can be proud of, while also helping sustain a stronger and more resilient live music industry.

“We look forward to bringing everyone together again in 2026,” he said.

Established in the 2024-25 Budget, Revive Live aligns with the Albanese Labor Government’s National Cultural Policy, Revive, which recognises the Australian music sector as a vibrant part of our arts and cultural landscape.

Through Revive, the Government last year established Music Australia within Creative Australia, with new funding of more than $69 million to support and promote the Australian contemporary music industry to increase discoverability and develop markets and audiences.

More information about Revive Live including successful applicants can be found here.