More live music targeted

City festival part of council’s new sound strategy

A CENTRAL Geelong music festival and a program of under-age gigs are being developed as part of a strategy to support the city’s live music scene.

The council plan, dubbed LiveMAP, has drawn on the views of local music industry leaders and the private sector.

One of the key recommendations is the creation of a live music festival around Little Malop St, which has a number of existing concert venues.

Operators of Beav’s Bar, Piano Bar, Pistol Pete’s, The Workers Club and Geelong Cellar Door have already indi- cated their interest in taking part in the event.

The council will be seeking private sector funding to underpin a $50,000 business case to progress the concept.

Another high priority is the creation of a live music program for under-18s, which the council estimates will cost about $10,000.

They are among 21 listed actions that aim to improve the local industry and overcome issues such as audience scale and consistency.

A public launch of LiveMAP is planned for November, when a mural of local rock legend Chrissy Amphlett will vividly explode with an augmented reality overlay.

Chief administrator Kathy Alexander said the economic value of live music to Geelong had been estimated at more than $150 million annually.

“Given the popularity of the live music scene and the new developments the city has under way to mark Geelong as a creative and vibrant city, implementing the LiveMAP can only bring economic benefits to our region,” she said.

“For musicians (it provides) a new and vibrant forum for them to share their talents and entertain our community.”

The Workers Club has been awarded $7500 from the State Government to replace all glass windows and doors as part of a soundproofing overhaul.