Campaign Launches To Save Bendigo's Only Dedicated Live Music Venue

Australian music fans are lending their support to the Bendigo community as a crowdfunding campaign launches to save the Victorian city's apparent sole remaining dedicated live music venue, The Music Man Megastore.

The brainchild of Marlowe Lee, the manager and photographer for Bendigo heavy-metal outfit Morth, the campaign appeals to artists and fans alike who have experienced the venue's hospitality under the purview of owner/operator Paul Tzountzourkas, explaining that the business — and, effectively, Bendigo's live music scene — is under threat should they not be able to raise their $21,000 goal on fund-raising platform GoFundMe in order to help the venue meet operating costs.

"Musicman is the only live music venue left in Bendigo and we need to band together to keep this iconic venue open," the campaign's summary reads. "Musicman is the Heart and Soul of the live music scene in Bendigo; without it, Bendigo has lost all that is live music.

"We as musicians need to keep our venues alive; every one we lose is a huge loss to the live music scene … We can help save this venue, it is something that us as musicians can give back."

The campaign has been in effect for less than 24 hours, and has so far accrued $340 towards its ultimate goal. If it fails to meet that ambition, Lee doesn't mince words about what it will mean for the town's live scene.

"Without Paul and Musicman we will have lost the very heart of Bendigo's live music scene," she wrote. "Paul is a friend to many, his commitment to live music and all that it represents is commendable."

"We are appealing to anyone that has ever performed there, been there or just wants to help in general, please help Paul and his venue out in this time of need," she continued. "Venues never ask for much so the least we can all do to keep performing there is to dig deep and donate."

The Music Man welcomed Walking With Thieves at the weekend, with support from Vulture Culture, Ergasia, Morth and Filthy Hacks; their next scheduled shows are Sentia, with ergasia, Makeshift and Black Arrow, on Friday 9 September; King Of The North, with Stone Djoser, Die In A Dream, Lowpoint and TJ & Son, on Thursday 15 September; and King Parrot, with Abreact and Vulture Culture, on Saturday 17 September.

There is also a fundraiser for motor neurone disease, Rock 4 Regal, this Friday, 2 September, featuring sets from Fires Were Started, Eat The Damn Orange, Elusive, Born Of The Stone and Makeshift.

The campaign to help The Music Man make ends meet will run until Saturday 1 October. See GoFundMe for more information.