The Perth music community is rallying to save one of the city’s only all-ages music venues, the Y HQ, as the City of Vincent confirms it’s moving ahead with redevelopment plans that include the space.
WA Today reports that the council plans to use over 12,000 square metres of parking space at Frame Court and The Avenue, including converting the open space into “office space, a multi-storey public car park,” and “public space.”
However, the plans include the Y HQ building on Frame Court. The proposed redevelopment works aren’t due to start until 2028, and the City of Vincent promises to replace the venue with another live music and events space, but that won’t happen until the renovation project is completed in 2035.
And 2028 to 2035 is a long gap between gigs for an all-ages space, robbing young people of opportunities to see live music in an affordable, intimate setting that supports local artists.
After news broke that Y HQ would be involved in redevelopment plans and shut down in 2028 if the proposals go ahead, a Change.org petition was launched, and WAM (West Australian Music), the state’s peak music body, issued a statement on the matter. The venue itself also shared a statement.
“The Y acknowledges the recent petition regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Y HQ and recognises the passion and support for the venue, as well as the important role live music plays in creating opportunities and connections for young people,” the Y HQ team said.
Adding that the venue’s team encourages anyone interested in the redevelopment proposals to find more information on the City of Vincent’s website and that it has a constructive relationship with the council, “we are pleased to share a commitment to supporting young people, strengthening the local community and ensuring live music continues to have a place in the area.”
The statement continued, “We will continue working closely with the City as the redevelopment progresses, maintaining open conversations and ensuring the interests of young people and the wider music community remain at the forefront of the discussion.
“In the meantime, our focus remains on ensuring the Y HQ continues to flourish as Perth's only dedicated underage live music venue. We will be putting all our energy into creating opportunities for young people to discover music, connect with others and experience the excitement of live performance.”
Sam Martin, who started the Change.org petition, said Y HQ has been a “cornerstone for young creatives” in the Leederville community for over 20 years.
Martin added, “If this space must be lost, our young people deserve a quality and timely replacement, one that can continue to offer a safe gathering point for artistic expression.
“We can’t afford to wait until 2035; our youth needs this space now.”
The petition has received over 4,600 signatures so far.
WAM added that it’s had “strong engagement” with the City of Vincent surrounding the redevelopment proposals, and will continue conversations in the coming days, particularly around the “proposal, the proposed new venue, and temporary arrangements.”
WAM described Y HQ as an “iconic music venue” that’s helped pave the way for “countless young acts and music lovers.”
They continued, “While there will be a replacement venue, the demolition of this legendary all-ages music space will be felt by artists, audiences and the wider industry.”
In its statement, WAM said the City of Vincent is committed to delivering a replacement music venue within 18 months of Y HQ’s closure “with temporary venue arrangements to be made in the interim.
“While this is a welcome step, there is still a significant amount of work to understand these arrangements,” WAM’s statement concludes. “WAM will work with the users of the venue, the City of Vincent, and other stakeholders to ensure the youth who use the space and artists have a seat at the table as decisions are made.”
