Hundreds of crew jobs are estimated to be triggered by the seventh – and final – round of the Federal Government’s $200 million Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund.

The last $20 million, announced in early March, is spent on 91 recipients across almost all artforms in all states and territories.

But these are 90% slanted towards performing arts and live music events, especially in regional areas.

“More than 23,000 new work opportunities for artists, producers and crew are triggered by this funding announcement,” says Rachel Healy, joint artistic director of the Adelaide Festival and chair of the Creative Economy Taskforce.

“(These create) a pipeline of shows and events that will ultimately be seen by 2 million people across the nation.”

RISE has created 213,000 jobs since it was set up in 2020, minister for the arts Paul Fletcher reckons, to 541 projects that have been seen by a total audience of 55 million people.

It’s not known how many jobs went specifically to those in the live production sector.

Round 7’s largest grant – $713,950 – goes to musical theatre production company LPD Productions for an 18 week metro and regional national run in 2023 of RENT.

A lot of funding in the latest round ensures that established festivals sustains.

The biggest festival grant of $577,500 allows Queensland’s Yeehaa Events to present NQ’s Rock’n Country, to be held between August 19 and 21 at Mackay Showgrounds to showcase 40 established and emerging acts.

Deni Ute Muster ($400,000) which usually draws  20,000 to the NSW hamlet of Deniliquin, is back after two years of covid-caused cancellations.

It is held on September 30 and October 1 with Brad Paisley and Jessica Mauboy headlining.

Others are Darwin Festival ($482, 400), Way Out West ($80,000), Subsonic ($280,000), an expanded Wildlands ($277, 410), and Capital Entertainment’s Borderline Music and Arts ($149,000) in Albury-Wodonga.

A Festival Called PANAMA ($125,000) and Festival of Voices ($112,294) are both from Tasmania, with Clearly Music & Arts Festival in Kiama ($100,000) and regional WA’s Blossom ($99,325).

But the most significant aspect about the contemporary music funding is the amount of new projects that could generate work for crews.

Melbourne-based UNIFIED Music Group receives $480,000 for Unified: Off The Record, a five stop regional showcase and merchandise pop-up store experience with performances and products designed by UNIFIED artists.

Empire Touring (NSW) is given $600,000 for a Theatre Series national tour of Australian performers to 23 locations, in tribute to the music of The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, John Lennon and David Bowie.

2S Entertainment Pty Ltd gets $320,000 to set up a new Australian all-ages youth-music event on the Gold Coast called Inverted.

Queensland music association QMusic is granted $344,900 for FiestaNQ, a three-weekend run of music events and pop-up performances across venues and public spaces.

Live Nation Australia Venues Pty Ltd trading as the Palais Theatre ($97,500) in Melbourne will through its On Stage Series “support and accelerate the careers for musicians, production crew and students through a series of intimate, on-stage events at the Palais Theatre”.

Velodrome Events ($54,191) stages music, food, arts and entertainment in Melbourne’s new pop-up precinct Reunion Park.

The Zoofam Pty Ltd ($128,500) sees Brisbane venues The Zoo and Fortitude Music Hall combine to stage the Let The Music Play festival in Fortitude Valley.

The Newcastle Live Music Taskforce receives $26,500 towards free all-ages Sound Station to celebrate Newcastle’s 50 years of rock.

Major Brisbane Festivals Pty Ltd ($200,000) stages Bananaland by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall, “an exciting original musical that will engage and employ numerous Australian musicians, actors and creatives.”

City Recital Hall Limited ($390,000) revitalises Sydney’s CBD and night-time economy with a music program focusing on youth, tourism and generating crucial income for musicians, industry professionals and surrounding businesses.

Neighbourhood Events Pty Ltd is allocated $56,105 for Neighbourhood Sessions, a family friendly festival, with a focus on placing regional North Queensland artists on the same lineup as more established touring acts.

Moreton Bay Live ($697,500), by the Trustee For Newpub Family Holdings Trust, is a new series bringing major artists and audiences to Moreton Bay, Queensland.

Near North Festivals Pty Ltd ($150,000) gets to run comedy festivals through Queensland with activating and live industry.

Garden City Sounds ($89,000) stages a one-day festival in Toowoomba, showcasing national touring artists, and emerging and local talent.

Melbourne band British India ($140,000) embarks on a 32 date national tour with a focus on regional towns.

Behind Ross Wilson’s Cool World Tour ($112,500)— a 10 event music tour across regional Australian wineries and venues in 2022, featuring Wilson, The Badloves, King Canyon, emerging artists, and local producers – is R M S Productions Pty Ltd as trustee for the Sydow Family Trust.