Urgent Plea: Desperate Times Call for Help

Emily Dennis is organizing this fundraiser.

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Dear friends and supporters,

We are reaching out to you in a moment of great urgency. Our cherished live music venues, It's Still a Secret and Can You Keep a Secret, are on the precipice of closure. We find ourselves in a dire financial situation that threatens our very existence.

Last week, we witnessed the closure of a 32-year-old iconic live music venue, leaving only a handful of us in the city dedicated to showcasing original music in venues of this scale across the city.

It's like a punch to the gut, reminding us of the real struggles we face as independent venues. Here at It's Still a Secret and Can You Keep a Secret, we're right in the thick of it and have been for some time. We're not alone in this struggle, over one-third of small to medium-sized Australian live music venues have shut permanently in the past three years, and we are teetering on the brink of becoming another heartbreaking statistic.

Behind the scenes, the reality is grim. The lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with the rising cost of living, have led to a decline in attendance, early ticket sales, and an increase in event cancellations. Additionally, we're confronted with increasing financial strain from soaring operational expenses, heightened costs of supply, rent, and inflated insurance premiums.

We are at a critical juncture, having explored every possible avenue for financial assistance. Despite the incredible generosity and understanding shown by our landlords and suppliers during these challenging times, we are still facing an uphill battle to keep our doors open. But we refuse to succumb to defeat. We believe in the power of community and the resilience of live music. Our venues have helped generate more than $228,000 for artists in the last 12 months alone and we want to continue supporting the creative community.

That's why we're reaching out to you, our cherished patrons and supporters, to stand with us in this crucial moment. Your contributions, regardless of size, will play a pivotal role in sustaining our venues and ensuring our stages remain lit and alive with music. Here’s how you can help:

Donate: Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to securing our survival. Your support will directly fund our operational costs and help keep our doors open.
Spread the word: Share our campaign far and wide. Encourage your friends, family, and social media followers to join the cause and help save live music in Brisbane.
Attend shows: Keep coming out to support live music. Every ticket purchased makes a difference and helps us keep the lights on.
Call for government action: Urge your local representatives to provide substantial financial aid and relief measures for struggling live music venues across the country.

We implore you to visit live music venues, make a live music venue your destination for the night. Bring your friends, family, and even furry companions to our venues to show solidarity with the industry. Remember, our offerings extend beyond alcohol - there's shopping, food, and plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available! Your presence at our venues and others across the city is crucial in preserving the heartbeat of Brisbane's music scene.