A NEW State Government initiative aimed at increasing live music in the Limestone Coast and providing financial support for regional musicians will be launched in Mount Gambier today.
Industry and Skills Minister David Pisoni will visit Mount Gambier today to open a roundtable as part of the Regional Accelerator Music Program, which seeks to increase live music by 10pc in the South East.
The roundtable will provide music venues and related businesses, councils and musicians an opportunity to discuss ways of boosting live music in the Limestone Coast.
Ahead of his visit, Mr Pisoni praised the region’s rich history of music and potential growth in the creative industries.
“Mount Gambier and the South East have long been a region of distinction on our musical landscape,” he said.
“As well as being of great cultural importance, the Generations in Jazz Festival contributes significantly to the Limestone Coast and South Australian economy.
“After food and wine, live music is actually the biggest tourism drawcard for our regions.”
Mr Pisoni said the State Government developed the program to ensure the regions were reaping the cultural and economic benefits of live music in South Australia.
“We are hosting regional music discovery roundtables and workshops with an aim to increase the number of live music events by 10pc across all identified regions,” he said.
“It is important to identify any challenges facing the local music industry and discuss practical ways to boost the number of musicians forging viable careers in the regions.”
