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Music venues are struggling to put on viable live shows as they battle crowd restrictions and noise complaints outdoors, raising fears it will take years for Melbourneâs prized live music scene to recover.
While the pain was nationwide, Melbourne bore the brunt due to prolonged restrictions during the second wave of coronavirus infections.
Liam Matthews at Old Bar in Fitzroy.
Credit:Joe Armao
National music charity Support Act said 44 per cent of its crisis relief went to Victorian artists, crew and industry workers between May and December last year.
A survey by RMIT last week revealed 58 per cent of Victorians working in music had considered leaving the industry, and more than 3500 musical names begged the federal government to extend the JobKeeper wages scheme beyond March 31.
There was plenty of emotion in the audience when musician Dan Warner stepped onto the stage at the Lomond Hotel after a nine-month hiatus, but the pub's live-music resurrection has hit a hurdle.