Throughout 2017, the Live Performance Industry generated $1.8 billion in revenue, with more than 23 million people heading out to events – that’s more than attendances at the AFL, NRL, soccer, super rugby, cricket, and NBL combined.
In comparison to 2016, revenue increased by 32% while attendance went up by 23%. Taking the scope even further, since 2008 revenue has increased by a whopping 78% while attendance has grown by 46% in the same time frame.
Every state and territory generated growth in ticket revenue and attendance during the 12-month reporting period. For the first time, Victoria ($639.9 million revenue from ticket sales, up 45.3%) has overtaken New South Wales ($615.8 million, up 16.2%) now sitting at the top of the ticket-sales leaderboard.
Together, Victoria and NSW generated roughly 66.7% of Australia’s live performance revenue and 61.9% of attendance in 2017.
Queensland experienced the greatest growth in revenue (46.4%), while Tasmania saw the highest growth in attendance – up by 84.3% in 2016.
In a year where artists including Pink, Katy Perry, Rolling Stones, Adele, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen all played in a venue near you, contemporary music recorded its highest levels of revenue ($826 million, up 88%) and attendance (8.5 million, up 50%). It generated 44% of the nation’s revenue and 37% of its live performance attendance.
Musical theatre came in second in both revenue ($417 million, up 19.9%) and attendance (4 million, up 22.6%). Thanks to major musicals including The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Kinky Boots, My Fair Lady and Matilda, this is the highest recorded revenue and attendance generated by Musical Theatre since 2004.
Circus and Physical Theatre achieved its second highest levels of revenue and attendance since the creation of this category in 2009 – with 58.7% growth in revenue (to $116.5m) and 38.9% growth in attendance (to 1.2m).
While major festivals such as Splendour in the Grass, Bluesfest and Groovin’ the Moo saw Festivals (Contemporary Music) generate 26% growth in revenue (to $100.7m) and 26.7% growth in attendance (to 0.85m) between 2016 and 2017.
In summary, get out to a show or you’re missing out.
Read the LPA’s 14th annual report here.
