The WA government spent $8 million on Coldplay -- but this tourism sugar hit comes at the expense of local music.

The Western Australian government spent $8 million to subsidize two exclusive concerts by Coldplay in 2023, which were touted as a major tourism coup for the state. However, the true cost-benefits of such large-scale cultural initiatives cannot be measured solely by ticket purchases and tourism metrics. This trend of subsidizing concerts by successful commercial firms raises questions about the propriety and value of rewarding these entities with public funding. While these events may provide short-term economic stimulus, they can erode the capacity of the local arts community and neglect the long-term health of the sector. The focus on generating money from imported cultural goods rather than investing in the local music sector is a concern for the purpose of arts and cultural policy. The Australian music sector requires investment in small and medium venues, regulation of global tech platforms, and a rethinking of the role of public radio. [Extracted from the article]