Over a Third of Australian Indie Acts Hit by Event Postponements

Over a third of Australian independent music acts experienced event postponements in the past year, according to a new survey. The SoundCheck annual report from GyroStream, a digital music distribution and artist services company, found that 37.1% of acts faced show cancellations or postponements over the last 12 months. In 2024, multiple festivals were either postponed or canceled due to rising operational costs, low ticket sales, and lingering financial challenges from the pandemic, with Splendour in the Grass being a notable example. In the past year, there has also been a sharp increase in the number of acts only performing at non-ticketed events, with this figure rising from 24.7% in 2023 to 36.3%. Only 19% of artists believe their music career can fully support them financially. As budgets tighten, artists are finding new ways to reach audiences; 43% cited content creation, like social media posts, as their most effective promotional tool. Additionally, 40% of artists are now using AI to advance their careers and artistry, marking a 13-point increase from 2023. The SoundCheck report also highlighted an increase in the number of acts not performing at all during the year, suggesting that entry barriers within the sector may be to blame. However, more artists are actively seeking support, with 48.5% applying for grants, up from 32.8% in 2023.