Despite every financial, social and algorithmic force working against it, Australia’s love affair with live music is still hanging on in 2025. But barely.
A new report from Music Australia has pulled back the curtain on where we’re at with gigs this year, and while the passion hasn’t gone anywhere, our wallets and attention spans are very clearly under siege.
The big takeaway from the report is that people want to go to more gigs, but between the cost of living and the chaotic state of gig promotion in a post-Facebook world, most of us are struggling to keep up — let alone shell out. The report also found that half the music-engaged respondents said they’d go to more local shows if they simply knew they were happening.
Social media fragmentation has meant that a lot of punters are now missing announcements entirely. Gone are the days of flicking through the street press gig guide. Now it’s a roulette wheel of maybe seeing a post, maybe not — unless you’re already in the loop. Some gig guides like triple j’s weekly Insta roll-out are trying to fill that gap, but clearly, we’re still short a proper national fix.
Another clear issue raised in the report is cost. But there’s no surprises there. Everyone’s feeling the pinch. People are choosing their gigs wisely, with a strong preference for the big, once-in-a-lifetime international events. As in the Taylor Swift’s, the Kendricks, the Gaga’s.
The report notes fewer people are going to pub and club shows, despite those being critical spaces for emerging artists to cut their teeth. Booze prices are also hurting venue profits, creating a domino effect for artist support.
And for those outside the city bubble, it’s even worse. Ostensibly regional Aussies feel completely left out of the live music loop.
Still, there is some hope identified in the report. Aussies still see live music as a mental health lifeline, a social glue, and a vital part of identity. I guess the only thing now is looking for a way to keep it alive without going broke in the process.
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