Australia’s Revive Live Program: Supporting the Nation’s Music Festivals and Venues to Boost Local Tourism

Published on November 23, 2025

The Australian Government’s Revive Live program has become a cornerstone of support for the country’s vibrant live music scene, ensuring that both music festivals and live music venues across Australia continue to thrive and remain accessible to all audiences. Launched as part of the 2024-25 Budget, the program has already provided substantial funding to help sustain the nation’s live music industry, particularly in regional and remote areas where music culture plays an important role in local economies. In addition to keeping the music alive, the funding is also aimed at improving accessibility for people with disabilities, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the live music experience.

The Australian music industry, a significant contributor to the nation’s cultural fabric and economic growth, faced challenges in recent years due to event cancellations and venue closures. Recognizing these struggles, the government’s Revive Live program has emerged as a much-needed lifeline, supporting 59 music festivals and 46 live music venues across the country. This targeted investment aligns with the Australian Government’s broader National Cultural Policy, Revive, which aims to enhance the accessibility, sustainability, and growth of Australia’s arts and cultural sectors.

Revive Live: A Lifeline for Australia’s Live Music Scene

One of the core objectives of the Revive Live program is to ensure that live music venues and festivals remain open and continue to serve as spaces for local artists to perform, develop, and engage with their audiences. This is especially critical in regional areas, where local music venues often serve as the heart of the community’s social and cultural life. By investing in venues like Freo Social in Western Australia and festivals such as the Desert Harmony Festival in the Northern Territory, the Australian Government is not only supporting the live music industry but also reinforcing the cultural significance of these events for local communities and the broader tourism sector.

For many visitors, attending a local music festival is a highlight of their travel experience, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the culture and creativity of the region. Festivals like Ability Fest in Victoria, which promotes inclusivity and accessibility, and Yours and Owls Festival in New South Wales, which celebrates original Australian artists, have become important draws for tourists. These festivals provide visitors with a chance to experience the diverse musical styles and cultural expressions that Australia is known for, all while supporting the local economy.

Through this investment in live music, the Revive Live program is directly contributing to tourism in regional Australia. Music festivals often attract tourists from across the country and around the world, boosting local hospitality industries, including accommodation, food services, and transportation. By ensuring that these festivals can continue to run smoothly, the government is helping to bolster tourism in areas that might otherwise struggle to attract visitors.

Empowering Regional Communities with Music Festivals

One of the standout features of the Revive Live program is its focus on supporting regional and remote areas of Australia. For these communities, music festivals and live venues are not just entertainment options but also vital drivers of local economic activity. Events like the Desert Harmony Festival in Tenant Creek, Northern Territory, receive significant funding to help them celebrate and promote local music and culture. These festivals bring together people from all walks of life, fostering a sense of community while providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talent.

The Desert Harmony Festival, for example, has received a $100,000 grant to help cover costs associated with organizing and staging the festival. This funding allows the festival to maintain its tradition of celebrating art, music, and culture in a region that is often overlooked by large-scale cultural events. By investing in these festivals, the Revive Live program ensures that remote communities can continue to offer these vibrant cultural experiences, which in turn attract tourists to discover hidden gems of the Australian outback.

Beyond the obvious economic benefits, these festivals provide tourists with an authentic experience of Australian culture, far removed from the well-trodden paths of the country’s major cities. Festivals like Desert Harmony invite visitors to experience the unique landscapes and cultural heritage of Australia’s remote regions while enjoying world-class music performances. For many travelers, these events become a key part of their journey, offering an opportunity to explore Australia from a different perspective and engage with local communities.

Improving Accessibility and Inclusivity

In addition to supporting the survival of Australia’s live music scene, the Revive Live program has a strong emphasis on improving accessibility for people with disabilities. Music festivals and live venues across the country, including Ability Fest in Victoria, Australia’s first inclusive and accessible music festival, have received funding to ensure that their events are fully accessible to all members of the community.

Ability Fest, which will receive $100,000 in funding for its production and accessibility costs, has become a trailblazer in creating a festival experience that is inclusive of people with disabilities. By providing accessible infrastructure and services, festivals like Ability Fest are ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy live music, regardless of physical limitations. This commitment to accessibility not only benefits the disabled community but also enhances the overall appeal of Australian festivals to tourists from around the world, many of whom value inclusivity and accessibility when choosing a travel destination.

The support provided by Revive Live ensures that music festivals and venues across Australia can meet the needs of all patrons, fostering a more inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for visitors. Whether it’s accessible seating, special transport arrangements, or sensory-friendly spaces, the program has made significant strides in making Australia’s music scene open and enjoyable for all.

The Economic Impact of Music Festivals and Venues

The economic impact of live music festivals and venues is substantial, particularly for regional communities. The money spent by tourists attending music festivals directly benefits local businesses, including restaurants, bars, retail outlets, and hotels. Additionally, the publicity generated by these events can attract more visitors in the future, creating a ripple effect that benefits local economies long after the music has stopped playing.

Festivals like Yours and Owls Festival in New South Wales, which received $250,000 for artist fees, marketing, and accessibility improvements, attract thousands of visitors each year, contributing millions of dollars to the local economy. The funding provided by Revive Live ensures that these festivals remain sustainable, continuing to generate economic benefits for their respective regions while simultaneously promoting Australian music and culture to an international audience.

The success of the Revive Live program is a testament to the important role that music festivals play in Australia’s tourism industry. As these festivals continue to flourish, they will help to boost regional tourism, providing visitors with unique and memorable experiences that they can only find in specific corners of the country.

Expanding Australia’s Music Industry

Through the establishment of the Music Australia branch within Creative Australia and the allocation of more than $69 million in funding, the Australian Government is also working to increase the discoverability and marketability of the Australian contemporary music industry. This effort is designed to help Australian music gain international attention, develop new markets, and create opportunities for artists to reach broader audiences both domestically and overseas.

The growth of the Australian music scene will further enhance the country’s tourism sector, with visitors drawn not only to live music festivals but also to the bustling music scene in cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. With increased support from the government and initiatives like the Revive Live program, Australian artists will have more opportunities to perform locally, nationally, and internationally, elevating Australia’s music industry as a major cultural and tourism asset.

The Future of Australian Live Music

The Revive Live program has set a strong foundation for the future of live music in Australia. By supporting the sustainability of music venues and festivals, as well as focusing on accessibility and inclusivity, the program is not only helping to preserve Australia’s cultural heritage but also creating a thriving ecosystem for the next generation of musicians and artists.

As more and more visitors flock to Australia to experience the diverse music offerings, the country is well-positioned to become a global leader in music tourism. With continued investment in live music and cultural festivals, Australia will remain a top destination for those seeking a rich and dynamic cultural experience. Whether it’s the vibrant energy of a festival in Sydney or the unique charm of a remote outback music event, the Australian music industry is on track to offer unforgettable experiences for tourists from around the globe.