News

On the brink: why has music venue insurance gone through the roof?

Insurance cost hikes are placing some music venues on the edge of closure, while affected venues say there have so far not received convincing answers from insurers about the cause.

8 Aug 2023 16:55

Jo Pickup

A young male guitarist playing an electric guitar skidding on his knees on the bar of a pub.

Music

How much longer can Australian live music thrive in small venues if they can’t afford to stay open? Pictured here is guitarist Ben Murphy playing in the band La Bastard. Photo: Nate Hill. Image: Courtesy Old Bar, Melbourne.

For most people, public liability insurance is not a term that rates highly in their daily lexicon.

It’s a problem that seems specific to the live music sector (because other live arts venues ArtsHub spoke to for this story reported only five to 10% increases on their PL insurance policies over the same period).

The issue has already claimed one notable casualty – the much-loved live music venue Badlands Bar in Perth, which recently announced it will close its doors in December citing ongoing cost increases. Badlands joins another popular Perth live music spot The Sewing Room, which closed in April because it too could no longer afford to keep the doors open. There are also a number of Melbourne live music venue businesses currently on the market at bargain prices.

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Jo Pickup

ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).