With Victoria's roadmap out of lockdown and into recovery revealed over the weekend, a mass of impending changes to metro and regional entertainment venues were included to trigger at various vaccination percentages for residents aged 16 years and over. 

While the announcement of the roadmap - closely following New South Wales' roadmap reveal earlier this month - was a welcome step forward for a very lockdown weary Victoria, the short and longer term effects on the music industry remain dire without firm, dedicated financial support for the sectors already treading water indefinitely. 

As with the revelations last week from various music industry figures ahead of Victoria's announcement, the live sectors continue to fight on a daily basis for survival, with many unable to make any money until a show actually takes place - and even then, there are multiple underlying risks to factor in.

READ MORE: 'It Is A Huge Risk For Us' - The Music Industry Unpacks The NSW Roadmap

Speaking to The Music today, Music Victoria CEO Simone Schinkel outlined some of the inherent issues for the music industry posed by the Victorian roadmap.

"Disappointingly, we can’t yet see the light at the end of the tunnel," Schinkel said.

"Our reading of the Roadmap is that live music will remain completely closed until we reach Phase C in November for outdoor gigs and Phase D for indoor gigs, and even then, we don’t anticipate being able to operate viably before March 2022.

 "These are impossible decisions, we respect the horrific health implications, however if this is the chosen path, then it needs to come with significant financial and policy support until we reach the other side.

"We are pleased that Minister Pearson, Minister Pulford and Creative Victoria immediately reached out to Music Victoria following the announcement and we made it very clear just how desperate and urgent this need is. The way the Victorian Government responds to this situation will shape the outcome of live music in this state for years to come – the future of $1.7 billion industry lies in their hands."

"If this is the chosen path, then it needs to come with significant financial and policy support until we reach the other side." 

Echoing Schinkel's concerns, Save Our Scene - a campaign comprising a collective of Victorian live music venues calling on government relief for the industry - also today discussed the significant challenges posed by the Victorian roadmap, highlighting the uncertainty that awaits entertainment venues when the restrictions ease and funding evaporates.

"There is no roadmap to reopening Victoria's music venues," the Save Our Scene campaign said in a statement today. 

"The current roadmap ends at a 1 person per four metres square density quotient for venues, which is a fraction of our normal licensed capacity. You can have up to 150 people, but only if your venue is over 600 square metres - that's the Forum. Most venues cannot open at all at that level, and no venue can trade sustainably.

"Yet again, we have been brushed aside with vague assurances that there will be a plan for us at some point, but no one knows when. We don't know if there will be ongoing funding to support our sector while we remain in effective lockdown, and we can't plan ahead for when we come out. We can't schedule shows for when restrictions ease and funding support inevitably falls off a cliff.

"This lack of certainty impacts everyone in our sector, not just venues but artists, bookers, promoters, technicians, PA suppliers, publicists and everyone else in the music industry supply chain. We have effectively been in lockdown since March 2020. So many people have given up hope and to be left off the map - again - is crushing to an already decimated sector.

"We need clarity. We need transparency. We need to be part of the plan."

"So many people have given up hope and to be left off the map - again - is crushing to an already decimated sector."

While indications as to when each phase of the Victorian roadmap will progress are subject to Public Health consideration of epidemiology at the time, at this stage metro events occurring in Victoria with the 1 per 4sqm rule in place won't realistically take place until at least November - and the future is uncertain as to how the roadmap will cater to outdoor music events at this point in time. 

Elsewhere, musicians, artists and politicians have expressed their concern and, in some cases, outright damnation of the lack of consideration for the unique needs and requirements of the live music and performing arts sectors, including comments from singer-songwriter Gordi, iconic entertainer Rhonda Burchmore and Councillor for City Of Melbourne Rohan Leppert.