MORNINGTON Peninsula Regional Gallery and Frankston’s Pier Bandroom echoed to the sounds of the second Victorian Music Crawl last week.
It was all part of a contemporary music bus tour, Thursday to Saturday, hosted by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and the Musicians Network.
Maxon and Nola Lauch performed at the gallery show before musicians, managers, booking agents and industry representatives.
The artists of all genders, ages and genres, performed rock, jazz and blues at live venues, including pubs, a church, festival site, mechanics hall, winery, café, radio station, art gallery, brewery, nightclub and a Mexican restaurant on the peninsula, Bass Coast and in south Gippsland.
Music Victoria CEO Patrick Donovan said the aim was to “build connections between Melbourne-based music industry figures and bands, venues, bookers, events, promoters, media and more based in regional Victoria”.
But it was not all sweetness and light. Soundbar music venue director Erin Moore later took a swipe at the shire’s arts and culture advisory panel chair Cr Antonella Celi for being ignored in the credits.
In an email sent afterwards to arts and culture development officer Donna Morabito, Ms Moore made her displeasure clear: “Thanks for the invite yesterday, nice to be finally acknowledged by the local council as being part of the live music scene.
“Well sort of. A little bit disappointed that we weren’t mentioned as a venue in any speeches [read: Cr Celi’s speech], although a long list was reeled off … Even the Rosebud Sound Shell was mentioned; not sure when the council last put on a gig there.”
Ms Moore pointedly listed her Capel Sound venue’s credentials as a live music site – “every weekend, predominately local acts, for four years now”.
She said the venue pumped about $60,000 a year into the peninsula’s music scene “as we prefer to keep music free” in “one of the better live music venues in terms of acoustics, treatment, atmosphere and customers”.
Other free events include an open stage night on Tuesdays with prizes and free salsa classes on Thursdays.
“We have tried to be active and engaged with the council,” Ms Moore said. “We went to the first MP Music Networking meeting where we were told, in front of everyone: ‘Venues aren’t welcome’, which is a real shame, as who do you think tirelessly supports the artists?
“We’ve had absolutely no support from the council – in fact it’s the opposite, as we’ve even been called a nuisance.”
Cr Celi said she took no offence. “It was great to have the music industry operators there,” she later told The Times.
“The shire plays a facilitator’s role and, if we can facilitate a connection, that’s good. “I welcome her email because it shows she’s connecting.”
