Venues, businesses and artists hit hard by the pandemic are set to benefit from a two-week music festival being backed by the Schrinner Council Team.
Winter Sessions will be held across more than a dozen venues in Fortitude Valley and surrounding areas and encourage live music lovers to return to having nights out.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has called on the State Labor Government to join efforts to revive Brisbane’s music scene by lifting restrictions on venues.
Currently, Suncorp Stadium can be filled with more than 50,000 people but small music venues are enduring capacity limits that can make opening their doors uneconomical.
“Music is just as important as sport,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Brisbane has been the birthplace of famous bands like Powderfinger and Sheppard and we want to see that continue.
“The Valley is the beating heart of the Brisbane music scene and it needs our help.
“My Council team has stepped up by supporting this new festival which will bring people back to live music venues and help create jobs.
“However, the State Government now needs to step up and review restrictions that are causing unnecessary harm.”
Cr Schrinner said Brisbane’s live music economy created thousands of jobs and was vital to the survival and sustainability of the city’s night-time economy.
“I want to invite everyone to Winter Sessions, and I hope this initiative is music to the ears of our Brisbane venues, businesses and local talent who have struggled throughout the pandemic,” he said.
“Council has continued to support the creative sector through the pandemic recovery by maintaining delivery of our creative and cultural programming across the city. This includes the annual Valley Fiesta and supporting young and emerging artists as part of the QUBE Effect”
Tickets will be on sale via each venue, with the full program, including artists and venues to be released soon.
For more information about what’s happening in Brisbane, visit www.adrianschrinner.com.au/brisbane-news.