A significant proportion of young Australians say attending live music is important to them, but rising costs are a major barrier to young peoples’ attendance at live music, a first-of-its-kind national survey conducted by The Australia Institute and commissioned by The Push has found.

As the live music industry in Australia continues to struggle financially, the survey found there is strong support among young Australians for policies that would both support the sector and encourage more young people to engage with live music events.

The Australia Institute, commissioned by The Push, surveyed 1,009 Australians between the age of 16 and 25 between 9 and 15 August 2024. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.

Key Points:

• Two in three of 16-25-year-olds (64%) say that attending music events is important to them.
• The most common barrier stopping young Australians from attending more live music events is cost.
  • Three in five 16–25-year-olds (59%) say cost is a barrier, and one in three (35%) say it is the most significant barrier.
• A significant majority of young Australians support multiple policies that would encourage them to attend more live music events:
  • Four in five 16-25-year-olds (81%) support a national government program for young people to stage music events in their local community, and
  • Four in five 16-25-year-olds (80%) support a $200 government-funded voucher to spend on cultural and creative interests.

“This is an important moment for the Australian music industry, as we respond to the challenges felt across the sector. We now have the crucial data to support what we have heard anecdotally for many years about the experiences of young Australians who want to attend music events,” said Kate Duncan, CEO of The Push.

“Live music is important to young Australians, now more than ever. As cost-of-living continues to be their biggest concern, young people are struggling to attend concerts, gigs, and festivals.

“We have heard loud and clear that young people believe there is a significant role for all levels of government to support initiatives – from grassroots all the way to the biggest stages – so that all young Australians can experience music events.

“As our music sector looks to respond to the evolving behaviours of new audiences, it’s important that we hear directly from young Australians about the barriers we need to address and what solutions can foster a thriving live music sector now and into the future.”

RMIT Associate Professor, Doctor Catherine Strong, who has co-authored a report with The Push on young Australians and music, said: “This research has provided timely up-to-date information on young people’s engagement with music in Australia. It has shown that while live music is still an important part of young people’s lives more work is needed to ensure they can access it.”

Doctor Morgan Harrington, manager of Postdoctoral research at The Australia Institute, said: “Music has the power to bring young people together and create the bonds of community. Government can support the youth of Australia to increase participation in the arts, and we know from the evidence both here and overseas what policies work.

“It’s undeniable that these difficult economic times have had a significant negative impact on music festivals and live music venues across the country. Fortunately, there are popular, pragmatic policy options available to government that would both support the live music industry and allow more young Australians to get out there and make the memories that will last a lifetime.”