‘Revive Live’ Second Round Is Now Open To Festivals and Live Venues

Round two is now open for the “Revive Live” program.

An initiative of the Albanese Labor Government, Revive Live was designed as a support mechanism for the embattled live music sector, which is experiencing crushing pressure from all angles.

A second round of grants is now available for music festivals and established live music venues, those that support performance opportunities and “foster original contemporary music by Australian artists,” reads a statement.

Applicants must be majority-Australian owned, and can be located anywhere in Australian suburban, metropolitan, regional and remote regions.

Since the pandemic, Australia has lost over 1,300 live music stages, affecting artists, venues, production crews, and local economies, according to data published by APRA AMCOS, while a growing list of festivals have skipped a year, or two, all closed up shop altogether.

“Gigs have always been a huge part of my life. I know the vital role live music venues and festivals play in providing local artists with the chance to perform, develop and grow audiences,” comments Minister for the Arts Tony Burk on Revive Live.

“Venues and festivals are under huge pressure. The Government established ‘Revive Live’ because we want music lovers to be able to enjoy festivals and local gigs and we want artists to be able to make a career out of their music.

“We are lucky to have an incredible live music ecosystem in this country and our government is committed to growing the local sector for audiences and artists.”

Applications will close September 26th, 2025.

As previously reported, the government is investing $25 million into “Revive Live” over the next two years. To date, the program has delivered $7.8 million funding, benefitting 112 live music businesses, including 63 music festival-based activities and 49 venues.

Recipients have included Yours and Owls Festival ($190,000), Desert Harmony Festival ($100,000) and Rosemount Hotel ($40,000).

All told, some $11.6 million in grant funding will be provided over 2025-26 for the Revive Live program.

For more information on Revive Live visit Revive Live/ Office for the Arts.