Since their inception after the 2010 SLAM rallies Music Victoria have been doing the hard yards for the Victorian music community, helping artists, venue owners and punters to continue to enjoy one of the best parts of our city.
While they have access to some government funding and private sponsorship they rely largely their insanely cheap membership fees ($33 for you, $66 for your band) to help keep their not-for-profit train rolling.
Did we mention that musos and venues who are a part of Music Vic’s membership program are massively compensated with discounts and services galore? He’s just a few of the best reasons to become a Music Victoria member in 2016.
Education
Whether your band is just starting out and you’re look for some tips or you’ve gigged around for ages and you want to start taking the band a bit more seriously Music Vic have got you covered.
Monthly Seminars run in conjunction with industry professionals are a source of limitless wisdom in almost every area of the industry. Fact Sheets and Checklists on their website are a great resource for those planning a tour or thinking of signing a management agreement.
Not to mention discount tickets to music industry conferences like BIGSOUND and Face the Music that are up for grabs with membership.
Advocacy!
This is the big ticket item. Music Victoria does a whole lot for our local industry, but advocacy is their bread and butter.
The money paid for your membership gives Music Vic a budget to lobby government for things like the re-institution of Mixed-Ages Gigs, The Live Music Best Practice Guide and allowing bands loading into venues access to loading zone parking.
Also you know those lockout laws that are ruining Sydney’s nightlife? It’s thanks to money and time donated to groups like Music Victoria and SLAM that Victoria doesn’t have draconian anti-nightlife laws that keep musicians off stages.
Gig Guide/App
Melbourne is a massive cultural city, any given night there is an absolute mountain of events you could attend. Thankfully Music Victoria have teamed up with Street Press Australia with the Melbourne Music City App.
An all access app chocked full of gig guides, industry news, social media feeds and a record store directory, perfect for local musos, punters and international visitors alike.
Discounts
Don’t just support your music community, support yourself! Membership to Music Vic gets you an absolute bucketload of discounts from a heap of participating venders.
Want to press a new album? Bakehouse and a bunch of other great studios and CD printers will take cash off for you. Planning a tour? Save money on baggage, car hire, accommodation and Virgin Lounge membership so you can get stuck into free juice and muffins while you wait for your boarding call. Even get a discount on advertising from yours truly Tone Deaf!
Insurance
Ok so this is really just another discount but insurance one deserves a special mention because of its importance.
Plenty of bands tour without public liability, travel and gear insurance and when something hits the fan or a dodgy punter decides to leave with your Marshal Stack they are stuck footing the bill.
Don’t get left out in the cold after a fuck up you can’t control, if music is your livelihood then its worth insuring, especially if it’s on the cheap.
There are Prizes Too
But wait there’s more! If this all wasn’t enough then you’re in luck. Music Victoria is sweetening the deal ahead of this years membership drive with ever new member going into the draw to win over $5000 worth of prizes including stacks of free tickets, Instruments, Rehearsal space, and a whole lot more.
Supporting the Future
Melbourne’s music community means a whole lot to a huge amount of people, benefits aside supporting the future of our diverse and vibrant music culture is its own reward.
Music Victoria’s membership drive runs from 15th – 24th March, for more info visit www.musicvictoria.com.au.
