CEO and founder of Sydney live music and art space Oxford Art Factory (OAF), Mark Gerber, alongside the venue’s co-founders, have today announced their new partnership with Calibre Music Management (CLBR), who will be managing exclusive bookings, marketing and ticketing of the Oxford Art Factory going forward. 

Led by CLBR’s co-founder Nathan Farrell and the highly-experienced team of programmers at CLBR, the landmark deal is the first time the prestigious live music venue has had an external booking team in almost two decades, with Gerber detailing that the decision is a continuation of OAF’s commitment to supporting and platforming up and coming talent. 

“Having known Nathan Farrell for over a decade, I’ve admired his passion and dedication to the music industry,” he said. “Partnering with Nathan and his team at CLBR to take on lead booking, ticketing, and marketing at Oxford Art Factory marks an exciting new chapter for us. Their expertise and innovative approach will help us continue to support emerging talent and deliver unforgettable live music experiences.”

Oxford Art Factory has hosted a plethora of local and international artists over the last 18 years, all of which have shaped Sydney’s live music scene, and helmed Sydney as a hub of creative and musical expression. From Tame Imapala, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Courtney Barnett, Dom Dolla and Peach PRC to Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, The Black Eyed Peas and Vampire Weekend, the doors of OAF have not and do not discriminate. Consistently championing the underdogs, the weird kids and the outcasts, the venue has prided itself on bringing cutting-edge artists to the forefront, offering up an intimate setting for artists to connect to their fans in a way that larger-scale spaces aren’t able to fulfill.

With the knowledge of the CLBR team – who come equipped with an award-winning roster of multi-platinum artists and producers and a one-of-one programming reputation for music venues like Fitzroy’s The Punters Club, Fremantle’s Freo.Social, Volta in Ballarat, The Basement in Sydney, The Espy in St Kilda and The Zoo in Brisbane – the company will continue to enliven the Oxford Art Factory with the expertise they’ve gathered over the years. Farrell, who has been attending the OAF for over 17 years, expressed excitement in partnering up with Gerber to maintain the curation that has made the venue stand out since it first opened its doors to the public.

“OAF has always maintained excellence in curation, production and venue standards across the country in their capacity; we’re thrilled with the appointment and excited to work with Mark and his team to put our mark on an iconic Sydney music institution,” he said. “As always, diversity of bookings, a dedication to strong identity, culture and building community for the venue is our way forward.”

"Leveraging CLBR's renowned curatorial expertise, we envision a dynamic return to form for OAF, one that solidifies its position at the forefront of Sydney's live music scene,” said Gerber. 

“With a renewed commitment to showcasing the best in both Australian and international talent — spanning established stars and emerging acts across all genres and demographics — this partnership is about keeping OAF at the top of the ladder. Together, we're committed to delivering some of the industry's most exciting and unforgettable performances, ensuring OAF remains a hub for cutting-edge live music."

Together, Oxford Art Factory and Calibre are eager to dive into the possibilities that this brand new partnership will entail in 2025, upholding a shared dedication to enhancing the overall client and customer experience, exploring streamlining operations for the venue’s varied clients, and ensuring a memorable and seamless cultural experience for the people of Sydney and NSW.