More music venues are opening in Perth and Melbourne, and governments and councils are upgrading spaces to attract more patrons.
In the Northern Territory, the strategy is to combine live music and AFL games. How will WA venues be affected by a push to ban all smoking on-site? Meanwhile, a report on Canberra nightlife discovered one venue operates on a margin of less than 2%.
Lake Macquarie Council Votes To Buy Cedar Mill Concert Site
Lake Macquarie councillors voted 14:1 to start investigating the possibility of buying out the Cedar Mill entertainment hub which a few years ago The Winarch Group was touting would bring A-list international music stars to the region.
The original vision cost $235 million. The project stalled 18 months ago. The concert amphitheatre was downsized from 30,000 seats to a reported 10,000. Both council and local residents slammed the site as looking like "a derelict dusty wasteland.”
Cr Jason Pauling, who brought the motion, said it would be a “messy and awkward” process and something he didn’t want to happen. But he said he wanted an assurance from The Winarch Group it would deliver.
“They previously signalled an alternate DA (development application) would be submitted. We haven’t seen anything on that.”
Winarch has continually maintained it will finish the project, and that it was delayed with the second DA because of roadwork.
Late last year, The Winarch Group hired a new Head of Winarch Live (Blake Vanderwoude) and Head of Winarch Music (Adam Slattery).
Perth Gets Yee-Haw Country
Perth welcomed another country music bar on May 8th, opening Thursday to Saturday 7pm–late.
Yee-Haw Bar is in Northbridge (133 Aberdeen St), on the site of Jack Rabbit Slim’s which closed the doors earlier this year.
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Owner Ben Maher spelled out boot scooting, line dancing and rowdy singalongs: “Now you won’t hear no toe-tappin’ background music here, we’re bringing you only the best live country music bands and spinning some seriously credentialled country from across the whole spectrum.
“All backed up by a solid dose of old-school Southern hospitality from first pour to last call.”
It’s turning a circle for Maher who was 17 when his family turned the one-time Aberdeen Street Post Office to the Old Post Office nightclub in the mid-’90s. His father Bob was a major name in WA nightlife, involved in over 30 venues.
Rumbler Team Launches Coil
Melbourne’s latest nightclub, Coil (12 Chapel St., Windsor) has a no-phones-on-the-dancefloor policy and is the first in the country to install the state-of-the-art sound system, Tom Danley’s Synergy Horns, which reaches every corner of the place with equal clarity.
The brainchild of Andrew Prokop, owner of six-year old vinyl-focused listening bar Rumbler, the interior design by Glasshouse Architects and FOS Lighting includes blue-tinted windows to hide views from the street. It opens until 1am on weekdays and 3am on weekends.
You Can Visit The Beatles’ Rooftop Concert Site
From 2027, music fans can pay and visit the rooftop of 3 Savile Row in London – where The Beatles impromptu played their final concert on the rooftop. That concert was immortalised in Peter Jackson‘s 2021 documentary Get Back.
The Mayfair building was the band’s headquarters, and used today by Apple Corps Ltd., which runs their businesses. It’s now open to the public for the first time.
Quercus Park Upgrades To Draw More Events To Tasmania
The 96-hectare Quercus Park in rural Carrick, which stages some of Tasmania’s largest events including Party In The Paddock and Agfest, has been given a $500,000 fire safety upgrade by the State Government.
These included the installation of new head hydrants, a tank, and a fire pump. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said it would attract more events, campers, and visitors to the North, adding, “We cannot pretend Tasmania is insulated from what’s happening globally.
“But as we navigate these uncertain times, ensuring the future of economic-boosting events is paramount.”
Party In The Paddock traditionally draws 10% of its crowd from outside the island. This year, it had a record 14,000, with more visitors and families attending. The State Government committed $1.5 million to the 2016 and 2017 shows.
DJ Grant Smillie To Revamp Prince Of Wales
The iconic live music and DJ destination Prince Of Wales in Melbourne’s St. Kilda, is about to get a revamp by its new owner, DJ Grant Smillie.
"Returning to The Prince feels like a full circle moment for me. I spent many formative years there during the Onelove era and know the space intimately.
“I'm energised about the prospect of evolving the existing offering at The Prince and creating something that honours its nostalgic past while creating something new.”
Smillie will be in charge of the redesign, in collaboration with Projects of Imagination. The upper level will lose its pool to a rooftop bar and restaurant which will also have live music alongside the 900-capacity band room.
The ground level gets a complete revamp while the public bar reverts to traditional pub fare.
Push For Complete Smoke Ban In WA Clubs
Those days of smoking in outdoor spaces in WA pubs, clubs and bars may be at an end. Following a survey by Cancer Council WA that showed 75% of WA adults think that these should be completely smoke-free and vape-free, the association is urging the State Government to fix the loopholes which allow patrons to light up in 50% of their spaces.
“These results send a strong message that West Aussies want to enjoy a night out without being surrounded by smoke,” observed Libby Jardine, Manager of Cancer Council WA Make Smoking History.
It would not only protect patrons but also hospitality workers.
Underlining the association’s push for the laws to change is that venue owners should not feel threatened in case there’s a patron backlash.
“More than half of West Australians (56%) told us making venues completely smoke-free would make no difference to how often they visit, while a third said they would visit smoke-free venues more often,” Jardine said.
In other data about the impact of venues going 100% no-smoking, nine in ten (91%) would increase their visits or maintain their current frequency. It made no difference to 56% while a further 35% would visit more often. Only 9% would reduce visits.
Infamous Star Hotel Put On Heritage Register
Newcastle’s Star Hotel, already immortalised in the Cold Chisel song, has been put on the NSW State Heritage Register. It recognises the building’s history and its contribution to culture over more than a century.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp personally made a submission supporting the listing, recognising the venue’s role as both a live music institution and safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community in the 1960s went homosexuality.
“This listing recognises the Star as a space where communities found connection, courage and visibility, and where a defining moment in Newcastle’s history unfolded,” he said.
Originally established as Cameron’s Inn in 1855, the hotel was founded by displaced Scottish Highland refugees.
On September 19th, 1979, about 4,000 gathered on Hunter Street to celebrate the last night of the venue after its owner decided to close it.
But things got out of hand during the set by local band Heroes. Police cars were set on fire, dozens were arrested, and cops injured. Local historian Carol Duncan said, “Everyone in Newcastle reckons they know someone who was at the Star Hotel on the night. So far that means some 200,000 people claim to have been there!”
Neil Finn Buys Auckland Pub
Neil Finn has bought a pub called Edinburgh Castle in Eden Terrace in Auckland. It’s two doors away from his Roundhead Studios which has been in existence for 20 years.
NZ media observed that the place, on the corner of Symonds St and Newton Rd, used to be a violent place, including the manslaughter of rising MMA fighter Fau Vake in 2021. But Finn plans to turn it into a wellness centre. So not a place to play I See Red then.
Three Executive Moves
Adam Lister has left his role as Group General Counsel at stadium operator Legends Global (Asia Pacific) to set up his own company. Adam H Lister Law is a boutique principal-led legal practice focused on the sport, entertainment, venue and infrastructure sectors. Before his legal career, he worked at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, and the Beijing Olympic Basketball Arena before becoming Legal Counsel for ICC Sydney.
John Kotzas is Experience Gold Coast’s new Head of Arts and Culture, charged with overseeing HOTA, Home Of The Arts. He replaces Yarmila Alfonzetti who was two years in the role. Kotzas is highly respected in the Queensland arts sector, including helming the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
ICC Sydney hired Jack Weatherby-Fell as Venue Manager of The Cutaway, its 5,000 square metres of event space for pre-event functions, galleries, dressing rooms, rigging infrastructure and a First Nations learning spot. He was most recently Head of Events at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Drink Spiking Deterrent StopTopps Comes To Australia
The UK-devised drink spiking deterrent Stop Topps – of safe caps and drinks tests – will be widely available in Australia with the appointment of Melbourne-based Safer Sips as its national distributor.
“We’re proud to bring StopTopps to Australia at a time when drink spiking awareness is growing and venues are seeking practical, effective ways to protect patrons,” said Gary Woodhead, Director of Safer Sips.
“Our mission has always been to empower people with tools that support safer nights out, and StopTopps aligns perfectly with that vision.”
As part of the launch, Safer Sips will work closely with hospitality venues, event organisers, universities and community safety groups to increase awareness of drink spiking risks and promote proactive prevention measures.
In a partnership with the Parramatta Liquor Accord (PLA) in Sydney, the company will for 12 months see PLA member bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants stock free drink spike test strips for their customers.
In another partnership, this one with Stamp Out Drink Spiking, Safer Sips will offer free Ask for Angela posters to bars, clubs, and pubs. This initiative supports licensed venues in providing a discreet and effective way for anyone feeling unsafe, uncomfortable, or threatened to seek help from venue staff.
Flora’s Temper Trap
Last Saturday (May 9th) in Nightcliffe, Darwin, bar Flora’s Temper owner Nicho Peters and Venue Manager Mookie announced on social media that the next day would mark its final day.
They posted: “We know this might come as a bit of a surprise, we came close, but just couldn’t quite make it this time. We gave it a real crack.”
Three Sydney Pubs Hit The Market
The owners of three live music supporting Sydney pubs have appointed JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group to manage their sale campaign.
The Clock in Surry Hills, which hosts live every Thursday, is one of Sydney’s best-known corner pubs since 1863.
The Sackville Hotel, which books live bands and DJs on the weekends, is described as “one of the best-known hospitality destinations within Rozelle’s tightly held pub market.”
The popular Bank Hotel in Inner West Newtown has a late night space called Waywards which has a reputation where punters discover local bands and rising talent, and enjoy touring acts.
The three venues jointly average annual revenue of $40 million, and have recorded year-on-year revenue growth of 11%.
And A Few From Overseas…
The legendary Copacabana Beach in Rio proved itself to be a big scale concert venue. On May 2nd, Shakira played a free show to 2 million. The city’s mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere posted the city had put in US$4 million into the show and expected an economic boost of $155 million.
Lady Gaga (2025) and The Rolling Stones (2006) are among those who’ve played there. Rod Stewart broke the world record for the most-attended concert of all time when he performed there before 4.2 million people in 1994.
Early last week, Olivia Rodrigo’s The Unraveled Tour added 25 more dates across North America, Europe, and the UK, bringing the global total to 86 shows.
As of last Friday (May 8th), the 86 had sold out. Selling 1.4 million tickets and grossing US$186.6 million, it is the highest-grossing tour by an artist born this century and for a female act. A huge slice of profits goes to her FUND 4 GOOD project, which helps nonprofits working toward a more just future for women and girls.
The UK live industry is urging the UK Government to stick to its election promise and commit to banning ticket scalpers (or touts as they are known there). Last November it brought about legislation making it illegal to resell tickets for live events above original cost, saying that would destroy the tout industry. It hasn’t been the case, and the industry wants a total ban.
Not all countries have banned Kanye West. Albania green-lighted his July 11th show, and is building a temporary 60,000-capacity stadium for it. The country’s Prime Minister is a fan.
Over 2 million tickets have been sold for Colombian superstar Karol G’s global stadium run.
The BBC ran a report about a tiny shrine in Tokyo where people come to pray not for wealth or health but for hard-to-get concert tickets. Built in the 9th century, Fukutoku Shrine is dedicated to Inari, a deity believed to bring abundant rice harvests and prosperity. Apparently Inari has also brought about lotto wins as well.
Mixed fortunes for Pussycat Dolls, who this year announced a world tour with Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts, and Kimberly Wyatt. European shows, including nine in the UK and Ireland, mostly sold out. But US sales were so dismal they were cancelled, except for a pride show in Los Angeles.
Rapper Kid Cudi has dropped British singer M.I.A. from his US tour. After telling her and her management not to make any “divisive” statements, at one show she told the crowd she couldn’t perform her song Illygal because it is about an undocumented migrant, because "some of you could be in the audience". The crowd booed and attacked Cudi on socials.
Gingerbaby Pulling The Plug
Acts on the Victorian surf coast have one less place to play. Queenscliff-based Gingerbaby which used to put on live music on its porch in the evenings, announced it is shutting up shop on Sunday, May 24th.
Chris and Sally Dinneen who started the venture ten years ago explained that the lease was coming up, and with rising costs worsened by the impact of the Middle East skirmish, “we had to decide whether to go or not. People were cancelling after the PM made his speech on TV.”
Delta Hits The High C’s
In a first in her career, Delta Goodrem plays shows on a 12-day luxury voyage through the Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean, departing Venice on 27th August 2027.
The collaboration between Mushroom Events and cruise agency Destination HQ sees her play three shows and a Q&A session. The boat sails through some of Europe's most celebrated coastal scenery in Croatia, Montenegro through to Puglia and Sicily, before arriving in Malta.
Courthouse Goes To Solotel/AVA
Sydney barrister Brian Dooley sold Newtown’s Courthouse pub for $24 million, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. It was bought by Bruce and Elliot Solomon of Solotel, who had leased the Australia Street pub for 20 years.
“But with their lease set to expire in September, they swooped on the opportunity to buy the freehold of the pub instead,” the SMH said.
“Solotel intends to hand over the running of the Courthouse to one of the country’s largest pub operators, Australian Venue Co, which also manages other venues owned by the Solomons.”
NT Connects Music & Sports
A media release from merged Tourism and Events NT showed that it’s combining the Northern Territory’s two greatest passions, for music and sports.
In May it combines the BASSINTHEGRASS music festival and the AFL season for greatest impact. The festival is held on Saturday, May 16th at Mindil Beach. It draws 16,000, of which 25% journey from outside the NT.
The AFL season opened last weekend. Round 10 has the Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide clash on Friday, May 15th.
On the evening before, Tourism and Events NT hold a free community event at Mindil Beach Sunset Markets called Santos BASS & Footy Night. Players from the two clubs are involved, while the festival’s performer JessB plays on the BASSment Stage with other local acts.
On Friday’s Round 10, BASSINTHEGRASS artist Kobie Dee performs pre-match, while halftime also substantially features live music. Players from both clubs are expected to be present at the festival.
Tourism and Events NT CEO, Suzana Bishop explained: "Bringing Tourism NT and Major Events together has created stronger opportunities to connect our marketing, events and community activation efforts in ways that deliver more for both Territorians and visitors.
"The Top End AFL matches and BASSINTHEGRASS are a great example of how we're leveraging partnerships and major events to create a bigger, more vibrant week of activity that benefits local businesses, drives visitation and gives locals more opportunities to be part of world-class experiences.
"From free community events and live music activations to nationally significant sporting moments, we're creating experiences that build momentum across the destination and showcase the Territory's unique energy and lifestyle on a national stage.”
Meanwhile Baby Animals and the Choirboys headline Alice Springs Masters Games’ opening ceremony on Saturday, October 10th.
Meltdowns!
The Victorian Government has forked out $10 million to terrified Melbourne nightclubs and bars to upgrade their security systems as front door alarms and CCTVs, as well as linking computers with local cop shops.
This comes as 20 venues have been shot at or firebombed. The latest victim was CBD nightclub La Di Da which was set alight at 3.30 am.
Things are getting stressed out. While one nightclub operator suggested the Government should call in the army, the Herald Sun noted that “The Emerson in South Yarra made the bizarre decision to plant two huge shipping containers in front of their venue to protect patrons from bullets or fire.”
Adelaide man Eric Cooper was jailed for six years by the District Court for driving into nine people outside Port Elliot pub the Royal Family Hotel and “sent them flying”.
The court heard Cooper had been driving erratically outside the pub, when told by one of the nine to slow down. He pulled over and punched one of them in the face. He then reversed his car at them. He won’t be able to drive for 12 years after he is released from jail.
The legal stoush between Melbourne Council and floating Docklands nightclub ATET could well go back to court after Council “walked back” its admissions of liability in a multimillion-dollar lawsuit. Both parties were expected to start mediation last week.
A gentleman with not many clothes on was spotted in the middle of Melbourne’s St. Kilda entertainment precinct asking passers-by how he could get to Big Day Out – which took place decades before – because he wanted to see the Smashing Pumpkins.
Gold Coast Police withdrew a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm against Bar 11 owner Richie Dada Dia, 54 accusing him of punching a customer. Police said they were not tendering evidence. It was a sweet and sour comfort: Bar 11 closed earlier this year for unrelated reasons.
A report by The Canberra Times on Canberra’s worsening nightlife as punters stay away from anti-social behaviour on CBD streets, found that “one music venue operates on a profit margin of less than 2%.”
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
