Labor is turning up the volume on live music, funding 16 festivals across the state.
Round 3 of the Live Music Festivals Fund invests more than $640,000 to boost the state’s vibrant music scene.
Recipients include long-time favourites such as Port Fairy Folk Festival and Queenscliff Music Festival alongside newer events like Abbotsford’s LuliePalooza, Footscray’s electronic festival: The DOT and Mt Martha’s First Peoples’ music festival: Our Survival Day.
The funding also backs festivals in regional communities, including areas affected by the 2026 bushfires including Castlemaine’s Town Folk Festival and Tallarook’s Interstellar Groove Festival.
The Live Music Festivals Fund supports jobs for artists and crew while helping bring to life live music experiences for all Victorians including First Peoples-led festivals, disability-led initiatives and events celebrating LGBTQIA+ communities.
Labor continues to support inclusive, accessible and diverse events through multiple programs including:
- Music Works: providing activation grants of $5,000 or project grants between $10,000-$40,000.
- 10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund opening soon, provides grants to live music venues to stage local artists.
For the full list of recipients or more information on the latest grants visit, creative.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Creative Industries Vicki Ward
“The live music supported through this fund brings communities together, creates local jobs and showcases our diverse and amazing talent – it’s one of the reasons Victoria is Australia’s live music capital.”
“Only Labor will support Victoria’s music industry to grow and encourage young talent onto the scene.”
As stated by Music Victoria CEO Fiona Duncan
“Festivals are so important to Victoria’s music ecosystem. They create opportunities for artists and music professionals, bring communities together through shared live music experiences, and play an important role in the cultural and economic life of towns and cities across the state.”
“This investment will help festivals continue to sustain, support local talent, and give audiences across Victoria the chance to experience so much great live music.”
