Music in the Podium axed, but new series to keep the summer vibe humming
by Josh Leeson · Newcastle HeraldThe curtain has fallen on the popular Music in the Podium series, but live entertainment won't be completely silenced this summer.
Lake Macquarie City Council will launch its Lakeside Sounds series on January 8, with eight live and free musical performances being held on alternate Friday nights at the Warners Bay and Toronto foreshores.
It comes after news that Music in the Podium announced on Tuesday night that after 28 years the free entertainment series would not return this summer because of "rising operating costs".
Generations of Lake Macquarie residents and visitors have gathered around the podium on the Warners Bay foreshore to listen to music and generate a festive summer vibe.
The event also proved a financial benefit for Warners Bay's hospitality businesses.
PWP Events & Marketing, the operators of Music in the Podium, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday but said in a long social media post that funding had dwindled in the years since COVID.
"After last year's event, rising operating costs made it increasingly difficult to secure sufficient sponsorship," PWP Events & Marketing said.
"As a result, we made the difficult decision that we could no longer provide the financial backing required to continue.
"After making this difficult decision, we consulted Lake Macquarie City Council to explore ways that they could possibly continue the legacy of this much-loved event."
The council previously supported Music in the Podium with financial sponsorship, waste management, venue presentation, event licensing and promotion.
A spokesperson for the council said it had committed $20,000 to Lakeside Sounds, with the majority of the funding allocated to artist fees.
Each act will receive $2200, plus GST and superannuation.
"Lakeside Sounds is about making the most of our beautiful foreshore spaces, bringing people together and supporting local musicians and hospitality businesses, with Warners Bay and Toronto suitable for their foreshore areas and nearby businesses," the spokesperson said.
"We want our town centres and foreshores to be vibrant places where people can enjoy live music, grab a meal from a local cafe or restaurant and spend an evening by the lake.
"As this is the first year of the new series, we will also seek feedback from the community, local businesses and musicians to help shape future programming."
The council has received more than 70 expressions of interest from musicians to perform at Lakeside Sounds, and the application period has been extended to Friday.
Music in the Podium was launched by the Warners Bay Chamber of Commerce and Rotary and Lions clubs in the late 1990s.
Over the years it expanded, running from November through to March because of sponsorship from the Council Town Centre Program and local businesses.