The Gaso Clears Up 'Misinformation' Following Closure News
The owners’ response comes after claims arose that the venue is shutting down for "going woke.”
The Gasometer Hotel (Credit: Jess Dale)
The Gasometer Hotel—aka The Gaso—owners have taken to social media to clear up “misinformation” about the venue’s closure. The owners’ response comes after claims arose that it would shut down for "going woke.”
Last week, the Collingwood-based venue said it would close its doors at the end of March after its director stepped down after three years. Staff are looking for someone new to run operations “with as minimal disruption as possible.”
For now, though, the venue will have to close its doors on Monday, 31 March. Team Gaso encourages punters to fill out the venue over the next month for what could be its final-ever gigs—we sincerely hope that won’t be the case.
Last month, 3AW radio host Tom Elliott said The Gaso was “going woke.” Elliott claimed that he rang the venue and was told it “will no longer accept line-ups booked entirely or overwhelmingly of white performers or cis male performers,” which led to comments on social media alluding to “going woke” as the reason for the venue’s closure.
The Gaso director James Martelletti has refuted those claims, writing on social media, “Go woke go broke - Tom Elliott's poor reading comprehension has resulted in an entirely fabricated controversy.
“In our bookings document we had text around being mindful of diversity when it comes to an overall lineup (meaning multiple artists that play over an event).”
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The statement continued, “Lineup does not mean the makeup of any one band. Of course we book all-male bands. We love music and we love their respective communities across all genres. It was a mission and not a rule, and our bookers are always there to support in the case where support is needed.”
“Regardless of this, as long as you can manage to not be a dickhead then you're always welcome at The Gaso,” Martelletti wrote before digging into the “real reasons” the live music industry in Australia is struggling, such as “greedy corporations and ineffective politicians.”
Outlining more of the reasons why the live music scene is struggling, Martelletti cited increasing superannuation payments, rising costs for utilities, suppliers, and rents, increasing alcohol taxes “twice a year,” increased insurance costs, liquor licencing “going from $800/year to $9000/year for reasons that we're unaware of,” venues not receiving grants, and the cost-of-living crisis, which means that fewer people have disposable income to enjoy gigs and drinks.
“We also want to make it clear that this is all part of circle of life of being a venue,” the statement continued. “The show will go on; other vendors are keen to carry on our legacy and keep the dream alive, and continue to provide a space for all artists to perform.”
Martelletti added that around 30% of the venue’s revenue has “always” gone to artists, and the forthcoming closure is happening without debts.
“All staff, suppliers and superannuation have always been paid, and we can hold our heads high knowing that we've done nothing but pour our hearts, money, blood, sweat and tears into providing a space for everyone to enjoy over the past 4 years,” the statement reads. “Please come show your support for everything we've done over the next few weeks while we sort out the next chapter. Don't let what you read break our spirits!”
You can read the full statement below.
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