Punters Say Lack Of Nearby Venues & Transport Options Affect Gig Frequency

You see it all the time: “Why not Adelaide or Perth?,” “Why not Hobart?,” “Why no New Zealand?” On an international scale, how often have you seen “Come to Brazil” on an artist’s social media?

According to Winarch Group’s second annual Australian Live Music Census, issues such as a lack of nearby venues and transport venues are affecting punters' ability to attend live music events more regularly.

• Punters Reveal Biggest Frustration At Gigs

It’s all good if you live in a metro area (or have access to freeways that get you into the city, as well as living near bus and tram stops and train stations), but if you’re hours away from concert venues or have to travel from interstate, gig-going is far from a regular leisure activity. Instead, it’s months of planning and far more pricey.

Out of 1,001 participants, approximately 6% of them “strongly agreed” that their area has sufficient live music venues.

A further 37% of punters “agreed” with the statement, which means that 43% of participants feel they have adequate live music venues in their area. 24% of punters “disagreed” with the statement, and another 7% “strongly disagreed”. The remaining 26% of participants responded neutrally.

When asked, “What would encourage you to see more live music?” 50% of respondents said that having venues closer to their homes would get them to more shows; people outside the capital cities strongly agreed.

Aside from proximity to venues, punters also seek ease of travel, with 32% of respondents stating that they’d go to gigs more often with better transport options. Inadequate transport is a common concern for those aged 18-24, with 48% of that age group listing it as a concern.

Regionally, the punters most frustrated by the lack of transport options came from Tasmania (83%), followed by regional Western Australia (50%), regional NSW (41%), regional Queensland (35%), regional Victoria (30%), and regional South Australia (27%).

Winarch Group published the survey findings last month (28 November). The company’s Founder, Paul Lambess, said of the Census, “The Winarch Group Australian Live Music Census paints a picture of an Australia that knows what it wants – more purpose-built live music venues, fewer issues with accessibility and transport, and the opportunity to create more lifetime memories.”