Overview
The volume dial will be turned down on Sydney's nightlife for five minutes at 9.30pm tonight, Friday, March 24, with a host of the city's venues shutting off all music in support of the Vote Music campaign.
Vote Music is an organisation that encourages government investment in live music and arts. With the New South Wales state election coming up on Saturday, March 25, the organisation has rallied several Sydney establishments to make a statement on the importance of music by going quiet for a five-minute period.
Participating venues include the likes of The Abercrombie, Marly Bar, Stitch Bar and Earl's Juke Joint, as well as Pocket Bar in Terrigal. Each will be shutting off all music at the bar from 9.30–9.35pm.
Marly Bar, Tom Wilkinson
"Without the nighttime sector, the vibrancy and excitement in NSW will totally disappear. There's been great progress to improve Sydney's nightlife but we can't throw our hands in the air and say 'job done'," says Night Time Industries Association CEO Mick Gibb.
"This initiative isn't about telling people who to vote for. It's about making a clear statement that the night matters and that live music matters by supporting the Vote Music campaign."
Iconic venues, beloved musicians and industry groups from across Sydney and greater NSW have been backing the campaign, including the Hordern Pavilion, Jack River, Josh Pyke and the Independent Bar Association (IBA).
"The IBA will encourage its members to take five minutes to show the people of NSW how dull life would be without music," says President Karl Schlothauer.
In the lead-up to casting your vote on Saturday, you can check out Vote Music's election report card, which outlines the commitments of each party and independent running in the election.
Find out more about the Vote Music campaign at the organisation's website.
Top image: The Abercrombie, Maria Boyadgis.