Michaels Rule in NSW
The ALMBC congratulates the Association of Artist Managers for the announcement that the NSW Minns Labor Government will adopt Michael’s Rule – encouraging international tours to include a local support artist on their bill.
Under the new change, the NSW Government will reduce the venue hire fee by $20,000 for each eligible show across the Venues NSW Network, and a $5000 reduction at Sydney Opera House. To be eligible, the shows must adhere to Michael’s Rule and include at least one Australian artist as a support act on an international artists headline tour, the act must appear on the same stage as the international artist, and must be announced at the same time as the tour.
Michael’s Rule received widespread industry support after its’ announce last year by the Association of Artist Managers. Since then, the AAM have been working to advocate for its implementation alongside Government and other stakeholders and are thrilled that the NSW Government has taken this step in the right direction.
Maggie Collins, Executive Director of the AAM said:
“This is innovative leadership on a whole new level, and we cannot commend the Minns Government enough for developing this policy and turning Michael’s Rule into a reality in the state of NSW. By this incentive being implemented, international artists now have 20,000 more reasons to add a local act to their lineup, and the result for Australian artists will be 10 times that in the long run. This is a win for audiences too, as they get exposed to their next favourite local artist (if the headliner they came for has anything to do with it).
We started this campaign in the name of Michael McMartin OAM, who called for the return of local supports on international tours back at the AAM Awards in 2023. We know he would have been stoked with this result and we’d like to especially thank the Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, the Hon. John Graham, for his support for this cause, and our entire industry, since day dot. Our only hope now is for the same policy to be taken up by more States and Territories across Australia, as not only would the ripple effect establish long-term careers, it would stimulate local economies and strengthen the domestic music market, in a time of great need.”
Michael’s Rule began after late artist manager Michael McMartin OAM called for a reinstatement of an industry code that made it compulsory for at least one local artist to be included on international tours. In his memory, at the 2024 AAM Awards, the organisation and its members, representing essentially every major artist in the country, called on Australian concert promoters to reinstate what they are now calling ‘Michael’s Rule’.
The ALMBC Calls on all state governments across the nation to follow suit.
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