Outdoor gigs can return in NSW but there is a very big catch

The live music industry in NSW had two big wins this week after being granted an exemption from Covid restrictions and funding support for cancelled events.

The exemption to the public health orders published on Monday gives the green light for outdoor music concerts but with one catch that echoes the 1980s classic film Footloose: dancing is banned.

The changes signed off on by health minister Brad Hazzard allow major outdoor events scheduled in NSW in January to go ahead - as long as attendees stay seated and socially distanced.

The public health order exemption will treat these outdoor music events similar to sporting events such as cricket, which has been allowed to go ahead with seated crowds.

However, the ban on dancing and mingling will still cancel dozens of festivals where both are essential to their success, such as dance festivals and mosh pits.

The amendments state that live event promoters ‘must take reasonably practicable steps to ensure attendees remain seated’.

‘[Organizers] must ensure that attendees do not congregate away from their seat or seating area [and] must take reasonable steps to ensure that there is no dancefloor at the event, or that any existing dancefloor is not used,’ it continues.

Event promoters must also liaise with security guards and Covid marshals to ensure compliance with these conditions.

The new rules will allow events such as the Red Hot Summer and Summersault festivals to proceed in NSW this month.

The first two stops of the Red Hot Summer tour were held at Mornigton Racecourse in Victoria on the weekend.

Footage from headline act Jimmy Barnes shows the rocker performing to a crowd of thousands standing in front of the stage.

‘What a beautiful evening at Mornington, Victoria. Perfect temperature, a cloudless sky, the moon nearly full. The audience in great voice. I think we all needed this.’ Barnes wrote on Instagram.

In another reprieve for the music industry, NSW Treasurer Matt Kean announced on Tuesday organizers of major events cancelled or disrupted by public health orders will be given funding.

‘Festivals and major events are huge drawcards and they have been significantly disrupted by the latest Omicron wave of Covid-19,’ he said.

‘It is vital we provide them the support they need when their event is impacted by a public health order. That is exactly what this funding commitment does.’

Premier Dominic Perrottet added the funding would provide security for promoters to plan future music events.

‘Major events are a key economic driver that create thousands of jobs across the state,’ he said.

‘The Event Saver Fund will ensure that organisers aren’t left high and dry as we work through this latest phase of the pandemic and sends a strong signal that the Government is here to support business.’

Sydney musician and producer Cam Nacson welcomed the announcement of the $43 million fund.

Mr Nacson, who also helps bands organise live gigs, previously explained the effect restrictions were having on the local music industry.

‘Two of my bands played Elevate Sydney. The event was incredible and the result of an amazing and diverse lineup and crew,’ he wrote on Instagram.

‘But in one press conference that could have been shut down - even on the day of the gig.

‘To put that show on my team had been working for over a month on the music, programming the live set, creating the visuals.

‘The 20-60 minutes we get to do our job on stage determines whether the months of work leading up to that get paid for.’