In this Venues Roundup, we find that grassroots venues are trying new initiatives to survive, while strategies by stadiums and promoters see them enjoying their best years. Canberra has started an inquiry into building its night-time economy and calling for venue feedback.
LMVA’s MyGigPass Scheme Takes Hold
The Live Music Venues Alliance (LVMA)’s MyGigPass scheme – where Sydneysiders aged 18 to 25 sign up for access to free or cheap gigs – has taken hold since its soft-launch.
Beau Neilson, alliance member and owner and operator of The Vanguard in Newtown, told The Music that 270 punters (“and growing daily!”) have signed up, and 16 venues are so far in the scheme.
“Participating venues sign up through the LMVA and contribute monthly ticket offers, which might be free entry, $25 tickets, two-for-one deals, or custom offers of their choosing.
“These offers are then distributed via weekly emails to subscribers who have signed up for the program. Venues retain control over what they offer and when, and promoter consent is required for many shows to ensure artists and their representatives are on board.”
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The idea, of course, is to help grow the next generation of audience members – and, equally as important, infuse what makes live music special and get people off sofas and from behind computer/games consoles.
In the UK, 40% of music fans say it’s too expensive to go to club gigs. Neilson says, “Australia’s situation is similarly serious. Fans are feeling financial pressure when deciding whether to go to gigs, particularly smaller shows and club gigs.
“But Australian data tends to frame this in terms of barriers to attendance rather than a single “X % say it’s too expensive” statistic.”
MyGigPass is one of ideas being discussed at the Committee for Sydney’s Sydney Summit on Friday, February 6th at ICC Theatre on how to boost the city’s entertainment scene.
Among others are a new stadium at Castle Hill Showground in the growing northwest, an innovation hub PlayPort dedicated to esports to deliver $40 million to the economy with each tournament for 10,000, connecting Sydney’s waterfronts, turning streetlights into energy hubs and “making public toilets the crown jewel of public space.”
In WA, the State Government introduced the $50 Kids Access All Area Vouchers for 5-15 year olds to attend performances and exhibitions. The first run went to 50,000 fans, with 100 venues involved, 40% in regional areas.
New Owner For Blues Hotspot The Empire
Sydney blues hotspot The Empire in Annandale – best known for live music six nights a week and a blues jam on Wednesday nights – is now owned by Millinium Capital Managers.
It belonged to businessman Jon Adgemis whose 22 venues were hit last year in the post-COVID period. Last November the Empire went into receivership under McGrathNicol. They revealed it generated annual revenues of $3.5 million and put a $20 million+ price tag on it.
Expansion For Mojo’s After Crowd Funding
When local creatives Michael Benson, Tony Papa-Adams, and Paul Malone took over Mojo’s last year, they had plans to expand the 190-capacity music mecca in Fremantle (WA).
With their $21,000-targeting crowd funding inching up to the 88% mark, they’ve been able to introduce some ideas.
Plans included an in-house vinyl record bar (“so you’re surrounded by music as soon you walk in, and spotlight local music”), upgraded $0,000 sound, lighting, and streaming gear, a new kitchen to serve Papa-Adams’s family-style Greek-Cypriot food, new furniture, a new back bar (“so people can come in for a drink anytime, even if the band room is booked for a show”), 16 new bar taps for the first time, ramps, upgraded bathrooms, a beer garden and an inclusive way for customers who only deal with cash.
The new business model is to encourage more customers through the day and expand Mojo’s support of live music and emerging acts.
Inquiry Into Canberra Night-Time Economy
The Standing Committee on Economics, Recreation and Industry has launched an inquiry into Canberra’s night-time economy and calling on the public to come up with what after-dark issues are and how “it could be improved and taken to “the next level”.
Noise complaints, closures, a drop in foot traffic because of endless construction and limited pathways for young music entrepreneurs are some of the problems. Submissions end on February 27th, send to [email protected]
Solutions: Scrap Night Levy & DJ Fee Caps?
While Australian grassroots venues try new initiatives and business models to keep heads above water, here are two cost-cutting exercises being bandied about in clubs overseas.
Council bosses in Newcastle, UK, promise to look at scrapping the Late Night Levy imposed since 2013 on premises with a licence to sell alcohol between midnight and 6am.
The levy ranges from £299 (AU$390) to £4,400 ($8,644), depending on size and nature of the business. It raised £242,000 ($475, 452) in 2023/24, with money going for safety features as CCTV and street marshals. Venues are calling for its removal to reduce their own costs.
Meantime, the Tresor club in Dortmund, Germany, has introduced a cap on DJ fees “regardless of music style, reach or name recognition of individual artists."
80% of clubs in Dortmund face financial woes, but the Tresor had plenty more since it decided to introduce more free nights to bring more attention to underground sounds.
Laneway Sydney To Test For Pills
Next week’s Laneway Festival – at Centennial Park on Sunday, February 8 th– becomes the 11th of NSW’s 12 festivals to try out pill-testing. “This initiative forms part of our broader harm‑reduction efforts by supporting informed decision‑making among festivalgoers,” said Festival Director Jessie Parker.
Regional Towns Chase Tones and I Concert
When Tones And I offered regional towns an under-age concert – tickets for $10, band and choir, and a stage built if needed – fans and councils moved after she said, “Whatever place goes the hardest, gets the show.”
Initiatives to whip up support included Facebook pages with some reaching 2,000 supporters, lookalike dress-ups, flashmobs, AI shots of the singer superimposed in local spots – from opal mines to farms to hardware stores – aerial photos, and an offer of a cane farming lesson.
Condobolin, NSW did a mockup of the front paper announcing her “arrival” in town while Coonamble, NSW shot a video from its horse track “reporting” she was “riding into town”.
Inevitably the contest was expanded to five towns. First chosen was Ingham in QLD (population: 4,500) to stage on February 20th at Ingham Showgrounds, then Wollongong, NSW, on February 27th with the venue to be decided.
Other towns still have their hands up. Mayor Jon Raven of Logan, QLD, has officially invited Tones and gang, saying the 8,500-capacity Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct is booked.
“With a population made up of more than 230 cultures, holding the concert in Logan is practically a world tour in one place,” Mayor Raven pitched.
QPAC’s Glasshouse Theatre Set For March Opening…
After a two-year delay, the 1,500-seat Glasshouse Theatre opens in March as QPAC’s fifth space. Costing $184 million, it will have 300,000 visitors a year.
Retractable seats allow rehearsals, studio performances, recitals and schools’ programs. One of the first productions is Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife – The Opera.
…Regent Theatre Reopening With Ian Moss
After an 18-month closure for renovations, the Regent Theatre in Richmond, NSW, officially opens on Saturday, May 2nd with an acoustic set from guitarist Ian Moss.
The venue is no longer solely a twin cinema but shifted to concerts, performances and community gatherings. Seating capacity of 520, extending to 600 for larger events.
The renos included new stage, sound and lighting, cinema digital screen projection, three licensed bars, full air-conditioning and high speed internet, dressing rooms, stage access, direct loading & parking. View the venue’s website for events.
Two Ex-Ivy Directors Suspended For 12 Months
A statement from Liquor & Gaming NSW revealed two former directors of Sydney’s Ivy nightclub are suspended for 12 months for failing to record incidents.
The 3.5 year investigation centred on the Ivy’s makeshift medical room that treated patrons for intoxication, drug overdoses, and injuries.
Records showed medical staff managed over 170 medical incidents between December 2021 and August 2022. “However, multiple incidents, including severe intoxication, were not entered into Ivy’s incident register as legally required.
“On-site medical staff recorded 46 incidents noting intoxication and 98 where medical treatment was required, but the L&GNSW investigation found only 36 incidents were reported in the venue’s incident register.”
For a report on the suspensions, head to the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority.
Lager Than Life: Full Strength At Optus Stadium
From March, full length beer will be sold at Perth’s Optus Stadium for all patrons, not just the ones in corporate boxes.
“Optus Stadium has proven itself as a world-class venue that showcases Perth to the world, and these changes are about continuing to deliver the best possible experience for fans by offering more choice,” Sports Minister Rita Saffioti said.
In another change, Optus Stadium introduced enhanced digital ticketing system, starting with Ed Sheeran’s two shows on the weekend.
Enhanced mobile tickets use rotating barcodes and NFC technology to reduce the risk of fraud. As a result, screenshotted tickets are no longer accepted. The barcode on each ticket refreshes every 15 seconds, which prevents resellers from exploiting screenshots or photocopies of tickets to sell them multiple times.
Venues NSW Lands Port Of Newcastle
Stadium operator Venues NSW landed Port of Newcastle as new Major Partner of McDonald Jones Stadium in a three year deal.
The sports stadium began concerts a few years ago, with Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Pink.
“Funding from our partnership will assist Venues NSW in attracting even bigger and better events, uniting fans, families, and visitors, and driving future economic growth in our region.” The stadium’s Venue Manager, Dean Mantle, stated.
“The Port of Newcastle is an integral part of the Hunter community, and we’re looking forward to working together.”
Legal Stoush Continues Over Robbie Show
A Robbie Williams appearance at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 14th, 2020 – cancelled because of COVID restrictions – is still playing out in the courts.
Last August, Justice Clyde Croft found the Grand Prix cancelled the show, and granted $3 million to promoter, World Touring Melbourne.
The Herald Sun reported last Friday the Grand Prix was back in the Supreme Court asking for permission to appeal the multi-million dollar payout because the judge had erred.
AVC Takes Over More Music-Hosting Pubs
Australian Venue Co (AVC), owned by US and Hong Kong private equity, has moved to take over leaseholds of nine live music-hosting pubs in Sydney and Brisbane in the past six weeks.
Four are from Solotel’s inner Sydney collection, to finalise by April, and thought to be worth between $50 million and $60 million. The Golden Sheaf in Double Bay has DJs from 5-9 pm, bands from 9 pm to midnight, and then DJs from midnight to close.
Barangaroo House’s offerings includes Jazzy Wednesdays while Public House in Petersham is known for its Sunday sessions, and The Erko in Erskineville has bands and DJs. At this stage individual management and team remain.
Solotel is pulling back on some of its portfolio, concentrating on some of its existing venues and looking at new bar and restaurant opps,
Also last week, it came to light that AVC also picked up in late December five from the Mantle Group. Jimmy’s on the Mall in Brisbane; Babylon Rooftop in Sydney and Brisbane; and the Pig ‘N’ Whistle venues in Indooroopilly, West End, and Riverside all have music programming.
BTS World Tour Sells 2.4M Tickets
K-Pop cuties BTS almost instantly sold out their 41 shows in the US, UK and Europe – representing 2.4 million tickets – and hastily added more.
The Arirang World Tour on April 9th at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province. Overall, the group is set to perform 82 shows across 34 cities worldwide – the largest single tour ever staged by a K-pop act.
How madcap do things get? In Mexico, 1.1 million fans queued in the virtual line for the 150,000 tickets available for three shows there in May. They sold out in 37 minutes.
President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum wrote to South Korea’s President, Lee Jae-Myung, asking him to personally intervene in getting the band to add more shows. “BTS is very popular among Mexican youth,” she growled.
‘Gong Arena To Double In Size, Precinct Plans
Wollongong’s WIN Arena is to double its size, from 5,300 to 9,500. It will attract up to 150 events per year, whilst delivering about an extra $550 million to the local economy.
It is part of the NSW Government’s vision to set up a sporting and entertainment precinct.
It’s committed $17 million to the project, which will include a new beach-side complex including a café, kiosk and toilets and multi-purpose spaces for functions and special events to be enjoyed on game day and all-year round.
Minister for Sport and Tourism Steve Kamper pointed out, “A thriving sports and entertainment precinct in Wollongong will see more live events for the region, providing a boon for the local economy, tourism and jobs.”
Musical Chairs
Nathan Brenner, long time artist manager (Split Enz, Men At Work, Daryl Braithwaite) and one time chair of the Music Managers Forum Australia and board member of MMF International, has joined the Australian Road Crew Association (ARCA) as Treasurer and a Director.
ARCA, set up to raise funds for crews in crisis, is about to announce a restructure. Brenner says, “As someone who started out as a roadie, I know crews are the backbone of a live performance. They’re part of a band’s family and, where possible, deserve the support of the music industry and Government.”
Pippa Mott is new Curatorial Engagement Manager at Gold Coast venue HOTA, Home Of The Arts. She plays a key role “in shaping meaningful connections between HOTA’s artistic program, artists and audiences.”
Heather Bergan started as Project Manager at the Live Music Venues Alliance (LVMA) working on its MyGigPass scheme for free or cheap gigs for Sydneysiders aged 18 to 25.
At Melbourne Fringe, Head of Programming Danny Delahunty steps in as Acting Creative Director/CEO for 2026 while Simon Abrahams is on 12 months of parental leave.
Cash Savage joined the Music Victoria board, while Jim Kenyon is new Chairperson replacing Chris O’Neill who stepped down after serving the maximum nine years. Craig Lloyd, Dean Hampson, and Latoyah Forsyth were re-elected.
Jacqueline Dortmans (Ten Days On The Island, Dark Mofo, MONA) is now Executive Producer of Tasmanian festival The Unconformity after Maddie Korn bowed out after five years.
Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) appointed philanthropy leader Melina Talanis and University of Canberra arts lecturer and inclusion specialist Dr Bilquis Ghani to its board.
Rosie Dennis, whose stints included Bleach Festival and Campbelltown Arts Centre, is new Executive Director at Arts Northern Rivers in NSW. Jane Fuller had the role from 2021.
Record-Breaking Year For Qudos Bank Arena
Qudos Bank Stadium reported that 2025 was an attendance-breaking year after welcoming 1.3 million patrons to 130 events. The venue is owned by TEG and operated by Legends Global.
Of crowd-breaking concerts, Katy Perry did three sell-outs. Billie Eilish broke the single event attendance record on February 28th with 21,001 fans, breaking the 18-year record set by Justin Timberlake on November 13th, 2007, with a crowd that swelled to 20,839.
November was a hectic month. RÜFÜS DU SOL set the highest count for an EDM act selling 48,865 over three dates. The Arena sold 29,572 over two shows for TWICE, setting a new record for the highest ticket sales by a K-Pop artist.
Harry’s Wembley Run A Boost To Grassroots Venues
Harry Styles sets a new record in June/July, playing 12 shows at London’s Wembley Stadium (beating Coldplay’s ten and Taylor Swift’s eight) to a total of 1 million fans. It was, at first, just six dates.
It’s going to be a boon to the grassroots scene. The singer is donating £1 ($1.96) from each ticket to the organisation LIVE Trust, to distribute to grassroots venues and emerging acts.
Styles' donation is the latest move from the likes of Pulp, Katy Perry, Radiohead, Ed Sheeran, Kneecap, Lorde, and Wolf Alice. Last year, Coldplay donated 10% of the proceeds of their UK tour to the fund, Sam Fender handed over his £25,000 ($49,117) Mercury Prize cheque.
Over half of UK grassroots venues struggle to turn a profit. Since the start of 2023, more than 150 closed their doors – about 16% of the entire UK sector.
Leaked! Redeveloping Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter
Since Express of Interest to redevelop Sydney’s Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park closed on December 5th, the NSW Government has kept mum on the short list until now.
But media outlets outed two as in the lead – the Carsingha consortium which includes high-profile business figures Gerry Harvey, John Singleton, and Mark Carnegie; and infrastructure investment firm Plenary Group. A 15,000 to 20,000-seat indoor arena is something the Government has said it wants.
Surfers Paradise Nightclub Empire Calls In Administrators
Matt Turner, Bentley-driving owner of Surfers Paradise nightclub Empire, called in administrators on January 23rd “to undertake a formal restructure, which is a prudent and lawful step to manage obligations and ensure the business can continue operating sustainably,” he said.
Turner’s other club, Platinum Bar & Lounge, operates under another company and is not in administration.
Sydney To Get Second Stonewall
US-based Pride Holdings Group, which owns iconic LGBTQ venue Stonewall Hotel on Sydney’s Oxford Street, announced it has secured a ten-year lease on a second property, in inner west Newtown.
Stonewall Newtown is on 157 King Street, previous site of Kuleto's cocktail bar. Pride has been upgrading entertainment spaces, facilities, accessibility, and sound & lighting, hoping to open by Mardi Gras in March.
More Funding For Special Entertainment Precinct Grant Program
The NSW Government has injected a further $1.2 million into its Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) Kickstart Grant Program, so more metro and regional councils can trial them.
The grants are through the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, and councils can apply for grants from $20,000 to $200,000 towards set-up costs as strategic planning, acoustic frameworks, community consultation, communications and stakeholder engagement.
So far, 22 councils are investigating adopting SEPs. In round one of the SEP Kickstart Grant Program, Burwood, Fairfield, Byron Shire, Sutherland Shire, Hornsby, Liverpool, Northern Beaches, Tamworth and Goulburn councils received funding to establish trials.
Six Meltdowns!
The just-relaunched KAZTRO nightclub in Maryborough, QLD, hit a couple found knocking boots in its loos with lifetime bans, and took to its Facebook to warn others having sex will be reported to police.
25-year old autistic Gold Coast hardstyle DJ Anthony Alwyn Mathers, charged with starting grass fires and vandalising, told the Southport Magistrates Court he had been “influenced” by his 14-year old accomplice.
A 22-year old woman charged with assault at Dive Bar in Geelong, Victoria, escaped conviction after explaining the victim was her cousin. There was a long-time dispute over a deceased estate, and she’d become “anxious” after running into the woman at the club due to a previous assault.
A one-time publican of a Tamworth, NSW, pub had a liquor licence revoked for one year over a February 7th, 2023 incident when a patron was served 16 drinks over five hours putting him seven times over the legal limit. The man fell over and was taken to hospital with injuries.
An 18 year old Noosa man charged with carrying an imitation gun into a Fortitude Valley nightclub was put on a 12-month probation after he explained to the Maroochydore Magistrates Court he was fearful about going into public places after being assaulted a year before.
Richie Dia, owner of the Gold Coast’s Bar 11, is facing Southport Magistrates Court accused of assaulting a patron.
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
