Get Behind National SLAM Day At Lizotte’s Newcastle Tonight

by Anja Vogel on February 23, 2012

“You don’t learn how to write a song at school, you don’t do a Tafe course on how to play in front of an audience, small venues were my university. I still go to music pubs and cafes all the time to do some study…a refresher course”
Paul Kelly, SLAM Rally speech 2010

It’s been two years today since SLAM (Save Live Australian Music) started on February 23 2010, with over 20, 000 people rallying against the closure of iconic Tote Hotel. The closure came after changes to Victorian liquor licensing laws, inappropriately associating live music to violence, which in turn threatened other small music venues. The SLAM Rally was the largest cultural protest that Australia’s ever seen.

National SLAM Day encourages music communities around Australia to support local musicians and venues by hosting their own National SLAM Day gigs. Rather than a protest, it’s a celebration to say that small venues do matter, and that local live music is part of our culture; they are the starting place for all major artists. Small venues are not only essential within our culture and community, they are essential within our economy. Live music contributes $1.2 billion to the economy and supports nearly 15, 000 jobs nation-wide.

Musician Claire Bowditch says that SLAM is about “encouraging owners that it’s worth putting live music in their venue and encouraging live bands that there is a community to support them”. More than 100 music venues across Australia are taking part in National SLAM Day, showing support for local music in every state.

Looking for somewhere to go in Newcastle to support National SLAM Day?

Look no further than Lizotte’s Newcastle, which is hosting an official SLAM Day gig! It’s only fitting that Lizotte’s will be supporting National SLAM Day; owners Brian and Jo Lizotte have always been avid supporters of local music, running a program called Live and Local every week which provides up and coming local talent a chance to play their music and gain exposure.  Lizotte’s has been host to Jon Stevens, Josh Pyke and Jimmy Barnes and is one of the main venues in Newcastle which helps to maintain a thriving music scene.

Be sure to support your local musicians and venues tonight by getting involved in National SLAM Day and heading to Lizotte’s to see talented artists Karl Broadie and Caitlin Harnett! For more details see here.