Music Industry News

The Spark Arena Community Events Fund (SACEF) has today announced a landmark venue support initiative, providing more than $100,000 in initial resource support to independent music and comedy venues across Auckland city centre.

The pilot programme provides funding for high-spec, artist-facing equipment – such as microphone packages, monitor wedges, and professional DJ gear – directly to the city centre venues that serve as the incubators for New Zealand’s next generation of headliners.

“Live Nation acknowledges that the music community needs a healthy eco system of venues,” says Mark Kneebone, MD Live Nation. “Artists don’t start at Spark Arena; they start at places like Whammy and The Classic Comedy Club. By helping to upgrade the equipment in these rooms, we are ensuring local artists have world-class tools to develop their craft right here in the city centre. This pilot programme has shown us that the need is there and the impact is real.”

Initial beneficiaries of the 2025 intake include:

Whammy Ltd (St Kevins Arcade): Major acoustic and audio infrastructure upgrades across its three-stage complex.
The Classic Comedy Club (Queen Street): Fixed digital broadcast and post production system dedicated to live recording of comedy and events.
Neck of the Woods (K’ Rd): New industry-standard monitoring and lighting packages.
The Mothership (Shortland St): Professional-grade DJ mixers and sound reinforcements for electronic artists.
Ding Dong Lounge (Wyndham St): Essential backline (amps and drum hardware) to reduce costs for emerging bands.

The 2025 pilot programme specifically targeted independently owned venues in Auckland city centre with a capacity of under 400 that focus on original live content.

Vincent Lipanovich, Director of Partnerships for Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, on behalf of the Spark Arena Community Fund Committee said:

“Independent venues are where Auckland’s music and comedy scenes are grown, tested and shared with the world. This pilot backs the places that nurture emerging talent and keep our city centre creative, lively and distinctive. We are proud to support a partnership that strengthens the full live performance ecosystem, from grassroots stages to global tours.”

Scott Blanks, The Classic Comedy Club, said:

“Every great headliner started in a small, loud room. The Classic has always been the training ground for New Zealand’s comedic talent, and keeping that engine running requires constant reinvestment. This funding ensures our infrastructure matches the world-class talent coming through our doors, keeping the city’s late-night culture vibrant and sustainable.”

Patrick Hawkins, The Mothership, said:

“With the tough economic times faced in many sectors, particularly hospitality, finding extra revenue to purchase necessary backline essentials required to host local and international acts has been a tough process. The Spark Arena community fund has provided an amazing opportunity for venues to upgrade their equipment and is a huge support for local venues that are the backbone of the local music community and scene. This fund will help ensure that local events are given every opportunity to perform/sound world class with the additional equipment acquired and also help lower the running costs of these events for local promoters/bands/artists with less equipment hire required for each event.”

Tom Anderson, Whammy Bar, said:

“This support from the Spark Arena community fund is huge for us. It means we can move past just ‘making do’ and start putting in the acoustic treatment and gear that these spaces deserve. Whether it’s a local act learning how to be a touring musician or an international pro playing an intimate 1 a.m. set, we’re making sure the vibe is there. Everything we do is driven by love for the community, and this allows us to actually build on that.”

Previous beneficiaries of the Spark Arena Community Fund include Tuning Fork’s Sounds Fun for Kids, Emerging Artists at Tuning Fork (Next On), Tāmaki Makaurau Senior Regional Kapa Haka Competition and Mana Moana.

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The Spark Arena Community Events Fund is a dedicated initiative designed to help community-focused organisations access world-class facilities at Spark Arena and The Tuning Fork. Administered by a committee representing Spark Arena Management (Mark Gosling), Ngāti Whātua (Alec Hawke), Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (Vincent Lipanovich), and an independent industry member (Richard Lindroos), the fund aims to support events that celebrate the diversity, culture, and wellbeing of Auckland and New Zealand.

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.