Stalwart Brissy Live Music Venue The Zoo Has Been Sold

The long-serving owner of iconic Brisbane live-music haunt The Zoo, Joc Curran, has announced that, after more than two decades, she is passing the torch to a new generation, with the venue set to change hands this June.

Over the past 23-and-a-half years, Curran has been the faithful custodian and 'keeper of the keys' of The Zoo, founding the venue in 1992 with then-business-partner C Smith (who ultimately stepped back in 2004, a couple of years after an earlier attempt to sell the venue). In the ensuing years, she's steered the ship and kept the bar afloat as a crucial force of Brisbane's live scene as countless bands, solo acts and music fans have made their way up and down that main (and rear) staircase.

“Twenty-three-and-a-half years ago two young girls started with a dream to open a space that celebrated independent music, art and creativity,” Curran said in a statement. “We happened upon a deserted warehouse loft in the Valley and started making it our own. We called it The Zoo and we are still here doing what we set out to do.

“I have been its captain for these 23 years and a lot has changed in this time. We no longer use soda stream machines for soft drink. You don’t have to eat food, even though we loved our veggie curries; we now have Eftpos.

"What has never changed is our commitment to supporting, fostering, encouraging and promoting live independent music. For all of you who know The Zoo and its family of champions, the people who work to keep its heart beating and thriving, it is with such a full heart that I wish to say it is time for a changing of the guard.”

Venue faithfuls needn't worry about the nature of that change, though, as Curran has also revealed that she'll be handing over the keys to local foodie, entrepreneur and passionate music fan Pixie, of the nearby Lost Boys cafe, and Curran couldn't be happier with her choice of successor.

"Every story has different chapters and it is time to begin part two of The Zoo and let it grow again with a new generation," Curran continued. "Thanks for the memories and all the times it felt like we could make a difference, even just to each other. The baton must be passed to someone worthy of the challenge that is set before them.”

A long-time lover of music — her father is a musician, so she caught the bug unavoidably early — Pixie is certainly worthy of receiving said baton, having grown her cafe from the ground up before reaching out to the music industry through it by feeding touring artists for free. It was this that ultimately paved the way for Pixie to take over as The Zoo's captain from this June.

“I have spent a large part of my life changing my mind. I have had over 21 different jobs since the age of 14, many times juggling 3 of them at once,” Pixie said in a statement.

“So now I have finally made up my mind," she continued. "My number one and absolute passion in life is music. My dad is a musician, I grew up immersed in it, I love to listen to it, learn about it, write it, play it, sing it. I wanted it to be my job, but it is a tough industry to crack. I knew where I wanted to be, I just didn’t know how to get there. 

"So, I started Lost Boys, where I could combine many of the things I loved like organic food, mental well being and music. Feeding the touring artists is my way of reaching out to the industry. It was this inadvertent path that has led me to exactly where I want to be.”

“It’s been a long and windy road, but I have realised that all the times I changed my mind and all the times I felt lost, were for a reason. I feel incredibly lucky and thankful to be where I am today, having arrived at the Zoo. Joc is an amazing woman and I am privileged to have her guide me through this new undertaking of owning and managing The Zoo.”

To farewell Curran and welcome Pixie, The Zoo will be throwing a massive party on Saturday 25 June, titled 23.5. There will be an array of artists and musicians who have been a part of Curran's tenure at The Zoo, with line-up and additional details still to come.

We can be sure of one thing, though — beyond Curran's departure, The Zoo is in good hands, and set to remain a vital part of the Brisbane live music community in the future.

“I want nothing more than to continue to nurture and support musicians on all levels," Pixie said of her plans for the venue. "I plan to develop and evolve The Zoo while embracing the changing industry, keeping The Zoo held tightly within the Brisbane music scene for many more years to come.”

Read Pixie and Joc Curran's full statement on The Zoo's website.