Surfers Paradise Music Hall Increasing Capacity To Nearly 3,000, Run 24 Hours
A planned live music venue currently dubbed Surfers Paradise Music Hall looks like it’ll expand its capacity to 2,800 from 2,500 on the main floor and mezzanine levels and operate for 24 hours.
Gold Coast City Council has lodged a development application for the $40 million re-purpose of the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre. The idea was first mooted in November 2025, with construction from January 2026 to 2028.
“The venue will support the sustainable growth of the local music scene,” said Council. “In addition to live music, the venue will be able to host a range of events such as civic and award ceremonies, cabaret shows, private events and banquets.”
Council’s application also proposed the Music Hall operate 24 hours a day if needed to “enable full flexibility on the days and times an event may operate”.
There’ll be a five-storey car park, as well as dedicated food and beverage areas “such as a restaurant along Beach Rd and a food truck area to the south of the building.”
Noise Exemption For Freo. Social
The Western Australian Government has stepped in to allow Fremantle’s high profile Freo.Social to continue, by protecting it from noise complaints.
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The 500-seat room has been at the State Heritage-listed Artillery Drill Hall since 2015. But when the 83-bedroom Garde Hotel started operating in September 2025 it expressed concern about the impact of noise on guests.
The Government has issued a temporary exemption from noise restrictions for up to four nights per week under section 6 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
Freo.Social will begin transitioning to a long-term approval for noise management under the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997, with wider community consultation expected within six months. The Government, through National Trust WA, is providing $150,000 for noise attenuation at Drill Hall.
Music association WAM CEO, Owen Whittle, said, “It beggars' belief that residents who move into the vicinity of live music venues for the vibrancy they bring to the community, then complain about the noise the venues generate.”
He added: “This intervention comes on the back of the announcement of the Northbridge Entertainment Precinct, which provided a framework to protect venues across Northbridge from noise complaints from encroaching residential developments.”
More Concerts For Launceston’s Silverdome
A $12 million transformation of Launceston’s sports Silverdome “will (also) help the venue attract more live entertainment and concerts,” Minister for Sport Nick Duigan confirmed.
Tenders closed in mid-December, for renos to finish by end of 2026, according to Launceston City Council, These include new retractable seating to increased capacity of 4,000, increased disability access seating to six, large screens, more food and beverage “grab and go” outlets, larger backstage area and more toilets.
Melbourne’s 8,000-Seat Kooyong Stadium Plan Axed…
Two months after announcing plans for a multimillion-dollar expansion of the iconic Kooyong Tennis Club, its board decided against the move saying it was too much of a financial risk, the Herald Sun reported.
The transformation was to include an 8,000-seat roofed stadium to bring back the glory days when The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin played outdoor shows in the ‘70s. The board had already held meetings with tour promoters.
…While Townsville Drops Plan For New $360M Arena
In the run-up to the Brisbane Olympics, the Townsville 2032 Legacy Working Group was pushing to build a new $360 million sports and entertainment arena, arguing that the existing waterfront 5,257-seat Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre (built in 1993) was “reaching its end of life,” according to its chair three-time basketball Olympian Suzy Batkovic.
But plans have since scaled back as there didn’t seem funding would come from the State and Federal Governments.
Batkovic told the Townsville Bulletin last week that the focus now was to upgrade the Entertainment and Convention Centre instead.
This is not the first time that Townsville tried for superior facilities that could have seen it in the music touring circuit.
In 2013, a feasibility study commissioned by Townsville council had recommended a 30,000 seat super-stadium built by 2020 at Southbank rail yards or on Dean Street. But the State Government declined to contribute to the $360 million cost.
Twenty years ago promoters such as Michael Chugg were mooting a touring circuit to include Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, and several SE Asian cities to draw international acts to the region.
Green Light For Yarra’s Live Music Precincts
Yarra City Council has unanimously adopted an Amendment (C331yara) to formally introduce Live Music Precincts into the planning scheme.
It provides greater protection for venues from noise complaints. It also serves to avoid costly refits or legal action, and makes it easier for a venue to relocate within a precinct.
These cover Brunswick St., Smith St. south, Johnston St., Collingwood Yards, and around Richmond Station. Despite its small size (just 19.5 square kms) Yarra boasts over 130 spaces for live music, including 77 small to medium-sized venues. Together they host about 20,000 gigs a year and pull an estimated 2.5 million attendees.
Yarra City Council Mayor Stephen Jolly said the proposed changes will require new residential developments in and around those areas to include stronger noise protection, shifting some of the onus for managing sound from venues and onto incoming residents and developers.
“Yarra’s live music venues are a large part of our economic and cultural fabric,” he stated. “They provide opportunities for up-and-coming artists and boosting our economy.”
Council will now request the Minister for Planning give authorisation to prepare and exhibit the Amendment to the Yarra Planning Scheme.
Bunbury’s Ruby Lounge Expands To Comedy
Ruby’s Lounge in Bunbury, WA, is adding to its appeal of jazz, DJs, and cocktails. From February, Fridays night at the downstairs area of the Mantra Bunbury Lighthouse becomes a dedicated comedy club.
It is set up and booked by comedian Jay Manes and business partner Matthew Isabella, who says the room will host international and local chuckle suckers.
End Of The Road For Townsville’s Heritage Exchange
After 30 years as an important part of Townsville’s live music scene, The Heritage Exchange on Flinders Street opened for the final time on New Year’s Eve.
In a social media post, owner Emmanuel Bogiatzis and Venue Manager Dylan Brinkman expressed, “The Heritage has been so much more than just a venue. It’s been a space filled with stories, celebrations, music, late nights and familiar faces.”
After getting his start at Sorrentos, Bogiatzis opened the Heritage Bar and Grill beside The Mad Cow in 1994, and winning the inaugural Regional Bar of the Year award in 2013.
He changed its name to The Heritage Exchange in April 2015 when he moved the club to the historic 1881 Exchange Hotel, spending a few million dollars on reviving its original red brick walls, bringing back the vintage décor and furnishings of that era, and setting up three bars.
Best Year For GC’s Mo’s Desert Clubhouse
“Our biggest year of programming and attendance so far,” was how Burleigh Heads Gold Coast music venue Mo’s Desert Clubhouse reported in its end-of-2025 report to its patrons.
There was a Regional Venue of the Year finalist slot at the 2025 Queensland Music Awards and Gold Coast's Best Birthday Party Venue via the 2025 Quality Business Awards.
But in the 12-month frame it ticked off 655 paid live sets, over 2000 musicians onstage, 68 private parties, 22 workshops, three weddings, 19 raves, 46 all ages gigs, six carpark festival activations, 200 band rehearsal sessions in the Mojo Room, 11 podcast recordings, and five film premieres.
Melbourne’s Electric Bar, La La Land In Administration
Two Melbourne nightclubs with shared owners have gone into voluntary administration while their operations are restructured.
Electric Bar on the Chapel St strip in Windsor and La La Land in the CBD are currently under the administration of insolvency experts Liam Bellamy and John Kukulovski, of Mackay Goodwin.
It’s business as usual for both. They were hit primarily by rising operating, supply and insurances. According to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Antony Beltrame and Nicholas Young are listed as the directors of both venues.
Stadium Queensland Drew 5 Million In 2025
Stadium Queensland reported that it drew 5 million patrons to sports and entertainment events at its nine stadiums. These included The Gabba, Suncorp Stadium, Cbus Super Stadium, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, and Qld Country Bank Stadium.
Music highlights included Jelly Roll’s biggest headline stadium show outside of the USA, a three night stint by Keith Urban, two nights by AC/DC, and others by Lady Gaga, Metallica, Lenny Kravitz, Lewis Capaldi, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Paul Kelly, Tyler The Creator, LeAnn Rimes, Ricky Martin, and Justice.
Woodford Folk Draws 100K, Strikes Deal With PNG Cultural Commission
While Woodford Folk Festival (QLD) drawing over 100,000 to the 500-acre Woodfordia site on its first day, it celebrated on December 31st with an agreement with the PNG Cultural Commission to expand their existing cultural exchange.
In 2023, the groups signed a deal covering the Enga Province. The new one encompasses all 22 PNG provinces. It represents 870 language groups, each with their own cultural practices, dances, stories and artistic traditions.
The pact not only ensures PNG artists continue to perform at the festival, but includes festival development, volunteer participation and skills sharing learning from Woodford.
Highlights of the festival included the audience gathering on the site hilltop for the first sunrise of 2026 with a three minute silence and chants from the Monks Of Tibet and Tenzin Choegyal.
Live Music At The Rove, Ocean Grove…
A new bar in Ocean Grove, in coastal Victoria,. Is booking local and touring acts. The Rove is in the upstairs space that was once home to Zebra Bar, cnr of The Terrace and Hodgson St, with splendid ocean and sunset views.
Under co-owner Miraz Tastula, the live acts amp up on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
…And Death & Co, Brisbane
Death & Co, the legendary New York cocktail bar which made its Australian debut last month, is from January showcasing live music for three nights a week in its cocktail lounge The Studio.
The Brisbane venue is a partnership between the Australian Venue Co and owners of The Regatta, previous home to The Walrus Club. Venue manager is Samantha Katsikas.
It’s at 543 Coronation Drive, Toowong, and boasts opening hours from 6pm to 1am from Sunday through Wednesday, and 4pm to 2am from Thursday through Saturday.
Drug Squad Hits Fortitude Valley
A parade of suspects are heading to Brisbane Magistrates Court over February and March as a result of Operation Xray Marine which targeted dealers allegedly working out of nightclubs in the Fortitude Valley precinct.
It ran between July and December 29 under officers from the Fortitude Valley Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), Tactical Crime Squad (TCS) and Crime Command.
Detectives executed 10 search warrants and charged 16 people with a multitude of offences including 6 trafficking and 31 drug supply charges. They seized more than $555,000 in cash and about 5.6kg Methylamphetamine, 2.8kg of cocaine and 23g of Ketamine and “a large number” of MDMA caps.
They had a street value of $2.5 million. Read the police report here.
Six Meltdowns!
Victorian Surf Coast police, fire department and local council closed down a two-day $150-a-day bush doof Bambra 2025, telling hundreds of patrons to leave the Aireys Inlet paddocks site by New Year’s Eve. They cited a lack of proper operation permits and inadequate safety and evacuation procedures.
It was linked to Tokyo 2020 Olympic marathon runner Jack Rayner, who posted on social media it was “never a safety issue,” rather a “misunderstanding of permit requirements from local council.”
Patrons of Prahran, Melbourne, nightclub The Emerson were put in lockdown by police on December 27th after a brawl between two groups known to each other went on the attack outside the venue. A 25-year old stabber was arrested, and the victim was packed off to hospital.
Pearl Randhay, manager of Bojangles, told the Alice Springs Town Council she intends to take defamation action against NT Liquor Commission. As reported by NT News, Randhay claimed that “every single thing that’s written” about Bojangles in a recently issued notice was “incorrect.”
In 2024, NT Police issued a correction to Bojangles and retracted their statements after they alleged the pub was a source of anti-social behaviour which triggered Alice Springs second curfew in July.
An 18-year old aspiring teacher’s aide pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to spitting in the face of a security guard at Cocktails nightclub on the Sunshine Coast for refusing to let him in because he was drunk. He escaped jail but was fined $500 with no conviction recorded.
A 22-year-old tradie was jailed for 18 months after sexually assaulting two women in a Sunshine Coast and biting an arresting cop. He had to pay $1,000 compensation to the officer and $500 to each of the women.
A man in his late 40s was hospitalised after hitting his head on the road after a brawl outside Cru Bar in Fortitude Valley.
Report: Sydney Night Time Venues Adapting
Sydney night time venues are still doing it tough, with only the 30-34 age group its biggest customers. Under-24s are struggling with rent and the 35-39 demo most hit with mortgage and cost-of-living.
However the latest Quarterly Night Time Economy Insights Report from the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) showed that things are moving forward as venues try fresh strategies to build up foot traffic.
According to the report, punters were staying longer in various precincts between July and September 2025, for between 13% to almost 40%. What’s more, some were distinctly showing new audiences.
These were North King Street Newtown (+18 per cent), Oxford Street West (+10 per cent) and Chippendale (+4.4 per cent).
The NTIA stressed that the data showed it was not a case of little interest or demand for what Sydney’s night time economy was offering. Rather it was issues such as cost of living cutting down on leisure spend.
“This is where operators need long-term government support,” it said. “Structural barriers like inefficient alcohol excise regimes, inadequate late night transport options, and regulatory complexity are restraining a sector that’s proven its innovation and adaptability.”
East Perth Power Station Back As Venue
The 8.5 hectare East Perth Power Station returns as a venue for the Perth Festival for shows starring SYBER: 013, Ngaiire, and Bleak Squad.
The station, closed in 1981, returned last year as an entertainment venue under Artistic Director Anna Reece, remaining until 2028, and received rave reviews for ambience and space.
Higher Vision Eyes Up On Hindley Street
Chad Oldfield, founder of four-year old South Australian spirits brand Higher Vision, has expanded the brand to a club on Adelaide’s Hindley Street. With a giant dancefloor and strong DJ programming, Higher Vision had a soft launch but officially glows up in February.
The team includes Brodie Lennox as Venue Manager and Jai Dixon as Events Manager. Some of the cocktails like Ex On The Strip pay tribute to the location (128 Hindley Street)’s previous life as strip club Strats which closed in 2023 after a near-30 year run.
Return This Year For Royal Crown?
The Royal Crown in Dudley, Newcastle, a mecca for live music fans, could be back this year, its manager Michael Deer said. Deer closed the Ocean Street property last year after discovering termite damage to the ground floor following the departure of the former licensees.
AXS Strikes Deal With Tickets For Good
About to be introduced in the UK after going live in the US is a new deal by ticketing and live event technology platform AXS with Tickets For Good.
It is a mission-driven ticket distribution platform that makes it easy for deserving people like healthcare professionals, teachers and charity workers to get access to live events.
AXS clients as venues, promoters and artist management teams can offer tickets either free or at discount. AXS was founded in the UK in 2019, and has Robbie Williams as ambassador.
Pill Testing Widens For Summer Festivals
More summer festivals offered pill-testing services for patrons.
EDM gathering Field Day, which drew 27,000 to The Domain, Sydney, on New Year’s Day, was the ninth music festival in NSW to participate in a free one-year trial. Results of the trial by NSW Health were not available immediately, but patrons were warned of some pills detected with up to 256mg MDMA.
Lost Paradise, December 28 to January 1, which sold out all tickets in rapid time to its NSW Central Coast site, also has yet to make results of its tests known.
In a first for a Victorian street festival, the February 8th Pride Street Party is also debuting free trials. Delivered by the State Government, in partnership with Midsumma Festival, the annual event in Fitzroy showcasing LGBTIQA+ culture, art and live music, draws 50,000.
In Tasmania while the State Government is still seeking legal advice on pill-testing, Pill Testing Australia and Harm Reduction Australia have offered free tests for a festival, including insurance. Local GPs also renewed calls for it saying “Let’s seize this opportunity, lives depend on it.”
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
