Now is the Time to Save Australia's Live Music

12 February 2010 by Soulshine News

On 23 February, coinciding with the 34th anniversary of AC/DC’s famous ‘It’s A Long Way To The Top’ film clip shoot down Swanston Street, S.L.A.M. is protesting in support and celebration of Victoria’s music scene, where new liquor licensing laws threaten to pull the plug on live music.

The recent closure of The Tote and the announcement of The Arthouse’s intention to do the same is causing increasing alarm amongst Victoria’s music scene and wider music community. These closures, a result of the destructive impact caused by Liquor Licensing Victoria’s decision to treat live music venues as high-risk, penalising them with higher fees and greater costs for required security, is now posing a huge threat to more of the states venues and in turn the livelihood of the local music community. In a reaction to the lack of response from the government to amend these regulations, S.L.A.M. (Save Live Australia’s Music) have announced a Public Rally to be held on Tuesday 23rd February commencing at 4pm in the city.

Meet at 4pm outside the State Library to make your way along Swanston Street and up Bourke Street to Parliament House to hear guest speakers from 6 to 7pm.

S.L.A.M. is a collective of Victoria’s broader musical community who have joined forces to make their voice heard as local music becomes increasingly under threat due to these ill conceived Liquor Licensing Laws. S.L.A.M. are calling on musicians and music lovers from all genres, creeds and generations to unite together to Protest to Save Live Australia’s Music on the 34th anniversary of AC/DC’s iconic ‘Long Way To The Top’ clip originally filmed on Swanston Street.

Leading the procession will be the extraordinary Rockwiz Orchestra performing on the back of a truck AC/DC style with Lucky Luscombe, James Black and Mark Ferrie and everyone’s favourite host with the most Brian Nankervis plus the original troupe of bag pipe players. This will be filmed by Paul Dane who shot the legendary clip back in 1976.  This historic event aims to make the Government to hear our cry to save live music from the clutches of Victoria’s draconian Liquor Licensing Laws. Our aim is to de-link the high risk conditions and need for security on all liquor licenses for venues that play live and amplified music and push for these to be given fairer consideration. Live music venues are not high risk and we have asked that Victorian community join in a peaceful protest to have their voice heard!

So bring your band, your fans, your friends and family and join this protest of a lifetime. To register your band or become a volunteer check out the S.L.A.M. website: www.slamrally.org

Save Our Music, Save Our Community…Save Live Australia’s Music S.L.A.M.

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