The SLAM (Save Live Australian Music) Rally drew thousands into the centre of Melbourne yesterday afternoon (February 23, 2010) for a united showing of support for the Australian live music industry.
Changes to the liquor laws in Victoria had meant that any music venue featuring amplified live music had to have a minimum two security guards. It was pointed out that a Greek restaurant featuring a plugged in bouzouki player was served with a demand to put guards on.One bar in Melbourne that had gone 20 years without public incident suddenly had three incidents as soon as the guards were placed out front. One incident was to stop a guy trying to enter the venue with a pizza.
Tim Rogers, Missy Higgins and Paul Kelly spoke. Kelly summed up the sentiment by saying “you don’t learn how to write a song at school or RMIT. These venues were my university”.
The Victorian Government at least listened to members of the music industry two weeks ago and introduced moves to create exemptions to the law. That actually means nothing really has changed but a platform for the change is at least in motion. In dealing with Government, the industry has to accept small steps at a time.
Venues affected can now apply for a reversal of the restriction and applications will be dealt with on a case-by-case outcome.
The great thing about the gathering was that it was the first time the music industry in Victoria has spoken with a united voice and the message was heard.
The icing on the cake of the rally was the performance of the AC/DC classic ‘It’s A Long Way To The Top’ featuring the Rockwiz Orchestra lead by Brian Nankervis with Kram from Spiderbait, Ashley Naylor of Even and the Rats of Tobruk Pipe Band with the original bagpipe player from the AC/DC song, Les Kenfield and Kevin Conlon.
