SUNSHINE COAST MUSIC INDUSTRY COLLECTIVE •
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INDUSTRY NEWS:
EMERGENCY MEETING HELD
The Sunshine Coast Music Industry Collective (SCMIC), last week convened an emergency meeting to discuss the future of the region’s live music ecosystem following the closure of key venues such as Solbar and The Station.
The meeting was held in partnership with The Australian Live Music Business Council and included QMusic's CEO and the Queensland Nighttime Commissioner as we all local political leaders and Council leadership staff.
Representatives from venues, musicians, universities, festivals and industry bodies also came together to examine immediate pressures, explore long-term solutions, and reaffirm the cultural value of grassroots music spaces.
The meeting acknowledged the loss of Solbar as a major blow, offering locals an opportunity to gather and grieve, whilst the focus was firmly on protecting remaining venues, strengthening the pipeline for emerging artists, and rebuilding a sustainable music culture across the Coast.
Key topics included new models to support young audiences and emerging musicians, ideas for more sustainable venue operations, and solutions to infrastructure challenges.
Attendees discussed the potential for a Youth Culture Pass to encourage young people into live music spaces, gaps in venue progression between small and medium-sized stages, and the need for alcohol‑independent business models that allow under‑18 performers and audiences to participate safely. Transport access was raised as a critical barrier, with calls for better public transport and dedicated services to help audiences reach venues across the region; an essential step in supporting a thriving night‑time economy.
The meeting discussed opportunities such as an arena ticket levy on large‑scale concerts, new funding pathways, and the development of alternative venues through partnerships, incentives, and community-driven models. Industry leaders offered support to help establish new spaces, while others highlighted existing venues that could benefit from community engagement.
The conversation underscored the shared belief that live music venues are cultural assets - not just businesses - and that collaborative action is essential to preserve the creative heartbeat of the Sunshine Coast.
SCMIC will continue working with community, government, and industry stakeholders to progress these ideas and support the next generation of artists.
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WITH HELP FROM
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
The Sunshine Coast has long been a place where the universal language of music fills the landscape, telling stories of love, loss, challenge, and resilience. For tens of thousands of years, the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples have sung, danced, created, and shared their deep cultural knowledge. As experts in biomimicry, their songs and dances reflect the rhythms, sounds, and stories of the environment around them.
The Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples welcomed many visiting nations to regional gatherings such as the Great Bunya Festival at Baroon Pocket and the Oyster Festival on the Noosa River. In turn, they travelled to major cultural celebrations across Quandamooka Country, Bundjalung Country, and Wakka Wakka Country, sharing their finest storytellers, dancers, and song people.
The Sunshine Coast music industry recognises this enduring legacy and the resilience of Country and its custodians. Today, although our community represents cultures from across the world, our commitment to honouring and uplifting our First Nations peoples remains strong.
We offer our thanks to the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Sunshine Coast region.