Independent label Galaxy Music is campaigning to save the beloved Melbourne music venue, The Bendigo Hotel, aka The Bendi.
August marked the final month of operation for the venue under operators The Mill Brewery, who departed “after two huge years of gigs, beers and chaos.”
The Bendi is an important music venue in the heart of Melbourne. It has a twin-bandroom setup and hosts 300 punters—an intimate space and an essential place for up-and-coming acts to cut their teeth. It’s known for hosting metal, punk, and hardcore shows, as well as putting on shows by Aussie and international acts.
The sad news of its closure was confirmed on 6 August; one last party to farewell the venue took place on Saturday, 29 August.
Galaxy Music has big plans for The Bendi. It plans to build upon the venue’s amazing legacy and reputation, keeping the bandroom and bar thriving. The label also wants to renovate the upstairs area to “create a collaborative co-working space for musicians, artists and media in Melbourne.”
They intend to use those rooms to fit out a studio, rehearsal room, education room, photography/media room, and a co-working office space. Galaxy Music wants to use The Bendi platform to support charities, not-for-profit organisations, youth development, and education.
Galaxy Music has a $90,000 target for the Pozible campaign, which closes in two days. You can make contributions to the fundraiser here.
The campaign is structured as all-or-nothing—if it doesn’t reach its full target, every pledge is refunded and the sale doesn’t happen.
“The people we meet through music, in bands, and at grassroots venues, become friends forever,” said Lee Jones, founder of Galaxy Music.
“We owe it to the next generation of creatives to have the same opportunity we had, to use creativity as an icebreaker to meet the most important people in their lives. We have less than 48 hours to keep it open.”
Galaxy Music has enough money to “buy” The Bendigo Hotel, they revealed on their campaigning page on Pozible.
However, they also face additional costs, such as an extended bond, purchasing the venue’s existing stock, continuing the lease for the “incredible” musical equipment, and legal fees to keep the space operational.
“That’s keeping the lights on,” the label’s team said, but as mentioned above, they have big plans.
“We are coming in to support Victorian musicians from learning how to sing, learning how to write, learning how to sign up to APRA and AMCOS, rehearsing with a band, recording demos, playing on an amazing stage to an amazing crowd - ALL UNDER ONE ROOF. That is the goal,” they continued. “And that's mainly where we want help - not to keep the lights on night by night, but to revive the importance of music in our everyday lives.”
