By Benjamin Millar
The future of Footscray’s live music scene hinges on the creation of more venues and improved co-ordination of stakeholders, according to a new report.
Dan Vaughan, a Monash University student undertaking a Parliamentary internship, has spent months researching the topic for his report Live Music in Footscray: Gentrification, Identity, and Planning.
The report traces the history of live music in Footscray, identifies the challenges it faces as the area gentrifies, and outlines steps that could help the suburb emerge as a thriving centre of live music.
As well as encompassing ‘live music’, the report also explores the supporting network such as recording studios, rehearsal spaces, record stores and nontraditional venues.
Interviews were conducted with musicians, venue operators, event organisers, Maribyrnong council and an academic.
The report found that although Footscray has a high number of artists as residents, there remains a relatively low number of music venues.
The suburb also “lacks a comprehensive, co-operative approach to live music” between venues, musicians, and Maribyrnong council, the report noted.
The council has recently made inroads, however, via its support of the ‘West Set’ series of more than 30 free live music events.
Key report recommendations include the council establishing a dedicated music office or officer, and the creation of a music advisory board.
Other steps could include offering venues financial assistance to upgrade live music facilities, or seeking short-term leases of closed venues for use by emerging artists.
Potential venues could also be created in heritage-listed buildings and industrially-zoned vacant buildings.
Footscray MP Katie Hall said the recent closure of live music venues The Reverence and the Dancing Dog left her feeling that Footscray had lost a part of its cultural identity.
“I’ve been concerned that over recent years, a number of our live music venues have been developed into apartments and performance spaces have been lost,” she said.
Ms Hall said she will discuss the report and its findings with creative industries minister Martin Foley and will work to implement the recommendations.
“I look forward to working with Maribyrnong council, Footscray Community Arts Centre and local businesses to support live music in Footscray,” she said.
Ms Hall said the state government has recently assisted with sound attenuation grants for local venues the Night Heron and the Phoenix Youth Hub.
