Live music once defined the vibrant night life in Fortitude Valley, but today, its venues face rising costs and empty dance floors. With fewer people heading out, venue owners fear for the future of Brisbane’s entertainment hub.
Brisbane Night-Life Economy Commissioner, John “J.C.” Collins, has been meeting with stakeholders to discuss solutions, including potential subsidies, extended trading hours, and reduced licensing fees for live music venues. Drawing inspiration from New South Wales’ recent night-life reforms, Collins hopes to convince the Queensland officials that intervention is needed.
Why Fortitude Valley Is Struggling
Over the years, Fortitude Valley has been synonymous with live music, late-night venues, and bustling crowds, but venue operators say attendance has dropped significantly. Rising costs, post-pandemic lifestyle shifts, and an increase in home drinking have kept people away, leaving venues to struggle with reduced revenue and increased operating expenses.
Collins, who co-owns The Fortitude Music Hall and The Triffid, told a parliamentary committee that many festival organisers and venue owners are hesitant to invest due to financial uncertainty. The issue isn’t just limited to Brisbane—live music venues across Townsville, Mount Isa, and the Gold Coast have echoed similar concerns.
During a recent visit to Airlie Beach, Collins observed that it was busier than Fortitude Valley on a weeknight, despite the town having a much smaller population. This raised questions about whether current regulations and operating costs in Brisbane are stifling the city’s night-life.
Potential Solutions: What Queensland Can Learn from NSW
To revive the industry, Collins is considering ideas similar to those implemented in New South Wales, such as an 80 per cent reduction in licensing fees for music venues and extended trading hours. While he has not committed to proposing an exact replica of these reforms, he believes Queensland needs to explore ways to ease financial pressure on venue owners.
One idea that has been raised is the creation of a Minister for Music, a role that could oversee policies affecting live entertainment venues. Collins has not confirmed whether this will be a formal recommendation but pointed to it as an example of how NSW is treating live music as a key economic and cultural asset.
Additionally, many venue owners have expressed frustration over bureaucratic hurdles such as outdated ID scanning laws and noise restrictions, which they believe discourage patrons from heading out.
Live Music’s Role in Community and Culture
Beyond economics, Collins stressed that live music plays a crucial role in social connection and community culture. He noted that after COVID-19 lockdowns, people realised the importance of shared experiences—whether at concerts, restaurants, or theatres. With Queensland’s live music industry at a crossroads, he believes the right changes could bring confidence back to festival organisers, venue operators, and artists alike.
While government officials have acknowledged the concerns, some MPs have emphasised the need to balance night-life growth with public safety. Others have called for a stronger focus on supporting festivals, which have long been a stepping stone for emerging Australian musicians.
The state’s night-life economy remains in uncertain territory, but with the right reforms, Fortitude Valley—and Queensland as a whole—could regain its status as a live music powerhouse.
Published 14-February-2025