Highway to hell? Reversing the decline of Australian music
These days, Aussie music is falling out of the charts, leaving local acts wondering if they’ll ever see your face again.
INXS. Kyle Minogue. Even the Wiggles. Australia has an incredible musical legacy, but with declining streaming numbers and revenues heading abroad, will the Aussie musician just become somebody we used to know? On this episode of Follow the Money, former Spotify Chief Economist Will Page and Australia Institute Research Manager Morgan Harrington join Ebony Bennett to discuss how to reverse the decline of Australian music.
A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limited time only.
Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now.
Guest: Will Page, Strategic Advisory, Pivotal Economics
Guest: Morgan Harrington, Research Manager, the Australia Institute // @mhharrington
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Show notes:
Reversing the decline of Australian music: Australia’s ‘one way valve’ dilemma by Will Page and Morgan Harrington, the Australia Institute (November 2025)
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
Youth Cultural Passes Could Revive Australian Live Music Industry
With ticket prices rising and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, a youth cultural pass could make live music more accessible, providing young people with opportunities to support local artists and foster a lifelong love of the arts.
Highway to hell with Joëlle Gergis | Summer Book Club
Do Australians truly grasp the impact of a warming planet and what it could mean for our sunburnt country?
Commonwealth live music inquiry: sing along with the chorus now…
The Australian Government’s latest report into the state of live music – “Am I Ever Gonna See You Live Again?” – makes some great recommendations, including for: tax offsets to be given to venues that host live music; training and education programs to help foster a love of music among young people; a rebate or