Dyer said, “Buildings make cities, but people make great cities … And it’s not just people that makes cities great, it’s music that makes cities great.”

Live And Local will serve to place up-and-coming local musicians in cafes, bars, hairdressers, boutiques and other non-traditional venues in the area to bring live music to every corner in Parramatta in a one-day event, with an aim to show local business-owners the positive impact live music can have on their business. It’ll further allow local musos to score paid work, foster rapport with local businesses and show customers what the live music scene has to offer.

Cunningham says, “This is directly an opportunity to advance and inform what is going to happen in a growing city, in a new city,” referring to the fact that Parramatta’s night-time economy is already worth over $858 million per year and is growing at “twice the national growth rate over the next five years — 4.6% per annum”, according to Dyer.

AMPLIFY will aid local businesses in Parramatta in embedding live music as part of their customer offering, by offering business advice and a brokering program. The 12-month program will help business-owners with ticketing, marketing and promotion, licensing, engaging with underage audiences and organising equipment, sound and staging options in their venues.

In partnership with the Live Music Office with funding from ArtsNSW, Council will deliver a free one-day ‘Live and Local’ event where musicians will perform in cafes, bars and a range of other local businesses such as hairdressers and clothing boutiques.

A recently appointed Live Music Programming Coordinator – Steven Griffiths who will spearhead Council’s push to foster the growth of live music in businesses and spaces throughout the city, and develop a long term policy to ensure its success.

“A thriving live music scene has the ability to further boost Parramatta’s night-time economy, which is already estimated to be worth more than $858 million a year. It will complement the development of small bars and bring increased trade to our popular restaurant precinct,” City of Parramatta Administrator Amanda Chadwick said.

“The benefits will also extend beyond the night-time economy. Live music enlivens a city and has the potential to be used innovatively by a wide range of businesses, and to provide an enjoyable atmosphere for residents, visitors and workers.”

“We have already seen the positive impact of live music at Council’s major events and community gatherings, and this has encouraged us to pursue a fresh approach to bringing music to the city.”

Live Music Office Policy Director, John Wardle, said he had seen many examples of how live music can transform a city.

“These initiatives will provide jobs and opportunities for local artists, connect new venues with wider audiences, and represent the cultural and linguistically diverse make-up of Western Sydney,” Mr Wardle said.

Contact  Steve Griffiths – Live Music Coordinator, City of Parramatta on sgriffiths@parracity.nsw.gov.au  to be involved or if you have any further questions.