PLAY IT LOUD 2026 STATE ELECTION MUSIC INDUSTRY POLICY POSITION DOCUMENT – READ MORE

Ahead of the 2026 State Election, MusicSA is calling on the South Australian Government to commit to Play It LOUD, a $12 million investment over four years designed to strengthen, grow and future-proof the contemporary music industry. 

South Australia’s contemporary music sector contributes $490 million to Gross State Product and supports more than 9,200 jobs annually. It drives employment, tourism, hospitality, the nighttime economy and underpins Adelaide’s designation as Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music. Despite its significant contribution, the sector faces ongoing structural and economic challenges, including rising costs, income precarity, declining live music audiences, venue and festival closures, workforce shortages and geographic disconnection from larger national markets. 

Play It LOUD presents clear, costed and implementation-ready Policy Actions to address these pressures and unlock growth across the entire music ecosystem.  

The proposed investment focuses on six priority areas: 

• Artist and Industry Grants to increase live music activity and reduce talent drain 

• First Nations Industry Development to strengthen cultural leadership and First Nations-led enterprises 

• Regional Industry Development to activate regional communities and expand touring pathways 

• South Australian music industry sector development including industry conferences, showcasing, mentoring and international market connections 

• Audience Development for local original music to grow ticket sales and sustainable revenue 

• Music career pathways for Young People to address skills shortages and build the next generation of music industry professionals 

These Policy Actions align directly with South Australia’s 10-year cultural policy, A Place to Create, and support economic growth, job creation, cultural vibrancy and industry sustainability. 

MusicSA’s CEO Christine Schloithe says: 

“Play It LOUD is evidence-based, industry-informed and developed through extensive consultation with artists, venues, festivals, music businesses and key stakeholders across metropolitan and regional South Australia.” 

MusicSA encourages all parties contesting the 2026 State Election to commit to these Policy Actions and build sustainability into South Australia’s contemporary music industry.