Australian music was put on the map thanks to pub rock, it saw the birth of megastars like INXS, AC/DC, Midnight Oil and many more. But something has changed over the years, the local pub no longer showcases new original music, instead it has become a hub for background music for dinner and drinks. We love and support a good cover gig, but original music is the lifeblood of any music scene and we want to bring it back. We want to bring back the pub gig.

After the devastating impacts of covid and the decline of the local bandroom in the last decade, Muso is on a mission to see local live music return across Australia starting in its rightful home — the pub.

To kick start this return, Muso is launching The Rise of the Pub Gig. A 100 venue nation-wide investment in local venues to get local original music back up and pumping. Together with the help of the RISE Fund (Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand), Creative Victoria & The City of Sydney, we are funding 100 venues to host 5 original gigs in a huge nation-wide campaign.

The Rise of the Pug Gig is a 500 show effort across Australia that gives:

• Artist’s new opportunities to gig in local venues
• Venues the opportunity to kick-start ongoing and sustainable live music offerings
• And importantly, Aussies the chance to connect with their community with live music