In the latest fortnight of venue and live sector news, there are moves forward for major live music projects on the Sunshine Coast and in Sydney and Geelong.
But a Hobart pub is fighting to save its live music program, clubs are battling to adapt to changing punter behaviour, and the debts of two Queensland nightspots are revealed.
Work Starts On Sunshine Coast’s 2,500-Capacity Entertainment Venue Aura
The ground has literally been broken for the $68 million community hub Stockland Aura, which comes with Sunshine Coast’s largest entertainment venue The Aura Hotel.
It comes with a 2,500-capacity bandroom designed to attract major international names after it opens in late 2027.
Director Rob Comiskey of the Comiskey Group said, after the official turning of the sod, “We’re delivering a venue that will bring world-class live music to the region in a way that hasn’t been done before.
“This will be the largest venue on the Sunshine Coast and one of the largest in Australia.”
The company also run Eatons Hill Hotel and Sandstone Point Hotel.
Comiskey pointed out: “We’ve hosted artists from Prince to Post Malone across our venues, and Aura Hotel will continue that—bringing major acts closer to home.”
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Over three levels, the bold Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic venue will feature six bars, indoor and alfresco dining, a gaming room, and multiple function spaces designed to cater from casual gatherings to major events.
The project will create 150 jobs on opening. The site is 10 minutes from Caloundra, and backs on to a future five-hectare South Bank-style parkland.
The sod-turning ceremony included David, Rob, and Paul Comiskey, Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli, Stockland Development Director Josh Sondergeld, and MP Kendall Morton.
Morton said: “This is very exciting for Caloundra. We’ve seen the impact The Comiskey Group has had at Eatons Hill, and bringing that same opportunity here is incredibly exciting. It’s exactly what locals love — great food, drinks and live music — while also creating valuable jobs for the region.”
Secret Crew Focus On Mirrorball Ministries
Just days after she poured last drinks Can You Keep A Secret in Woolloongabba, Brisbane, poured its last drinks on Saturday, April 4, owner Emily Dennis and her crew focussed their energies on Mirrorball Ministries in the West End (3/126 Boundary Street) which she bought last spring.
While Secret had a capacity of 85, Mirrorball fits in 450. “So obviously the programming is much wider, especially as it's got two stages and two bars,” Dennis told The Music. “We might look at international acts as well.”
The last eight months has been a bit of a “whirlwind”, she says, keeping Can You Keep A Secret and its sister venue Still A Secret in South Brisbane, which she closed last spring. “It’s really tough for small venues, and it’s getting tougher.” she says.
In 2024, she ran a successful crowd-funding campaign, reaching her targeted $30,000.
After eleven years at Woolloongabba, the final night of Can You Keep A Secret was jam-packed, the last song played being The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love. “It was so apt, the place was built on love, and that was obvious on the night.”
Petition To Save Salt Dog’s Live Music
The Salty Dog in Hobart’s Kingston Beach launched a counter-petition to stop its live music program from being closed down. This came after 40 residents presented a petition to Kingborough Council complaining about noise from bands and DJs.
The venue’s petition, which gathered 3,500 signatures in the first four hours, will be presented to Council this week.
Co-owners Adriano Miganelli and James Polanowski will argue they've forked out $4.7 million over the years on the place to keep attracting live music fans, spend $150,000 a year on booking acts, and also donate $150,000 each year to the local arts community.
Venues Benefit From Adelaide Fringe Record Attendance
Official figures are still to be tied off. But venues involved in this year’s Adelaide Fringe look like they’re on track to share $26.7 million donated by the festival to venues and artists from its box office last year.
In 2025, the Fringe sold 1,066,515 tickets, a 2.5% increase on 2024, and marking the third year in a row of hitting the million-mark.
2026 made a fourth year. At the start of its final week, sales had reached 1,020,000 tickets and the box office at $26 million.
The Adelaide Economic Development Agency is expecting over $75 million in night-time weekend spending across the city during Fringe, which is 20% more than the weekend average.
Executive Manager for Marketing & Tourism, Michael Rossi, said, “Of that, nearly 40% will be straight into the tills of city hospitality businesses as residents, visitors and city workers enjoy a drink with friends”.
Full Strength Beer For More NSW Stadiums
More NSW music and sports fans will be able to drink full-strength beer. This comes after a trial by the State Government at a number of stadiums showed no greater rise in intoxication.
Venues involved are The Accor and CommBank Stadiums in Western Sydney, McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, and WIN Stadium and WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong.
Outdoor Concerts For Victoria Barracks?
A proposal to turn Sydney’s Victoria Barracks into “the next great public place” could see outdoor concerts being staged there.
The idea is mooted by City of Sydney councillor Zann Maxwell who says the proposal looks at new affordable housing for workers, and use of existing heritage buildings could be used for art galleries and wine bars.
There is opposition from politicians and heritage activists to selling off the Paddington site. Former Prime Minister Paul Keating argued Defence had no right to sell significant “gems belonging to the national estate”.
Geelong Performance Centre For July Opening
The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre – which includes a 1,000-seat theatre for concerts, comedy and touring productions – is gearing up for a July opening. Organisers say 50 events are already locked in.
In the run-up, the Victorian Convention and Event Trust has started a recruitment drive for 100 jobs at the $450 million purpose-built waterfront venue.
These include AV technicians, logistics operators, event setup attendants and customer service professionals, and 50 hospitality positions including chefs, stewards, and food and beverage attendants. See the Nyaal Banyul site for more information.
Solbar Parent Had Six-Figure Debts
Sol Bar Live Pty Ltd, which ran the popular Solbar in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast until its sudden closure this year, had debts of $200,000.
An Australia Securities and Investments Commission notice published on April 9 showed the company had appointed liquidator Paul Nogueira of Worrells in a voluntary winding up.
The largest debtor was its landlord QIC Properties Pty Ltd ($112,064) with lawyers owed $92,783 and Coates Hire $1,533 a “disputed historic transaction” for a toilet block at another of the company’s businesses, La Canteena.
Musical Chairs
John Glenn is the new CEO of AANT Centre in the Northern Territory, effective June 8. He replaces Georgia Hendy who this year became Executive Director at Canberra Theatre Centre.
He was most recently Executive Producer at Adelaide Cabaret Festival (2014-2017) and the last five years as Chair of MusicSA. His background covers financial, project and logistical management for a variety of government, non-profit and private entities.
Letisha Ackland joined the board of the Australian Live Music Business Council. A proud Kokatha, Wirangu, and Mirning woman from Ceduna in South Australia, she founded Balya Productions, a First Nations-led live music and events production company working across national touring festivals, major events and grassroots community programs.
Estelle Conley is new Engagement Coordinator and Event Producer at RMIT University in Melbourne, leaving her role of Senior Producer at Lucy Guerin Inc after 4.5 years on April 19.
Interdisciplinary artist, queer activist and community leader Elyssia Wilson-Heti, of mixed Niuean (Avatele & Tamakautoga) and English heritage, joined Multicultural Arts Victoria as Senior Creative Producer.
RAC Arena Unveils The Terrace
Perth’s RAC Arena has a new premium seating called The Terrace. In two identical blocks in lower tiered seating, it has 40 leather seats.
They are sold in pairs under long-term agreements (minimum two-years), members get on-site parking and dedicated entry, access to drink lounges before and after, and can transfer the tickets to family, friends, and clients.
UK Nightclubs Adapt To Changed Behaviour
Britain's nightlife sector generated £154 billion (AU$293.2 billion) in spending last year, according to data firm CGA's Night Time Economy Market Monitor. It also showed the number of late-night venues fell 4.1% in 2025 and is now 28% below pre-pandemic levels, including new openings.
UK nightclubs told The Business Standard that spending is down while costs go up, and they have to work harder and more creatively.
With 39% of 18- to 24-year-olds not drinking alcohol, one club reported bar takings that were once £10,000 ($19,042) or £12,000 ($22,950) a night are now £6,000 ($11,425) to £7,000 ($13,329).
With Gen Z demanding more “experiences”, clubs are “reinventing themselves with daytime parties, food and live acts.”
Councils Outcry Over “Marly” Restrictions
City of Sydney and Inner West Council are pushing back on NSW Police proposals to crack down The Marlborough Hotel on King Street in Newtown after 93 booze-related incidents.
Suggestions to NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority include facial recognition cameras, alcohol restrictions after midnight, and restricting dance floor area to a person per square metre.
“(These) could impact the local businesses and live music,” argued the Inner West, adding, “We’re advocating for solutions that support both community safety and a thriving nightlife.”
“This signifies a major step backwards in reviving the 24-hour economy and undermines the work of the City and the state to balance vibrancy and safety in a way that is reasonable,” City of Sydney Deputy Mayor Jess Miller told the Authority, adding they were “worse than the lockouts”.
The Solotel-owned pub gets 1,500 patrons through its doors on a busy night. Council data indicated 40 of 93 reported incidents were withdrawn, or did not proceed.
The Marly has instituted its own safety measures like in-person cameras on security, changing entrance location and turning away 1,800 people, leading to incidents dropping from 25 in 2023 to 7 in 2025.
ALWAYS LIVE Boost For Victorian Venues
Venues in regional Victoria get a boost when the State Government’s free ALWAYS LIVE spin-off, the new Victorian Vibes, runs mid-April to June. It’s an autumn extension of last summer’s Melbourne Vibes which saw Jimmy Barnes, The Teskey Brothers, Guy Sebastian, Mallrat, and Adalita play CBD streets and laneways.
Secret gigs kick off in Ballarat this weekend, and take in Gippsland, Goldfields, the Bellarine, the Murray, and the Great Ocean Road regions. There’ll be pop up venues. Melbourne Vibes had laneways, parks, galleries and train stations.
Pink Flamingo Announces Last Drinks
Gold Coast cabaret venue Pink Flamingo is holding its final show on May 9. In the four week run-up, there are discounts for groups of 10, 15, and 20. “This venue has never just been a show, it’s been a community,” it said in a statement.
The end comes after public spats in the last few months including multiple resignations by staff, contractors and artists, and reports of rifts
A Gold Coast cabaret venue will be taking its final bow less than two months after multiple staff, performers and contractors quit amid reports of rifts and significant debts.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that two years ago owner Project 88 TPF, was placed into voluntary liquidation with $3.7 million. Among debts were $2 million+ in tax and $140,000 in superannuation. Ownership transferred to KSAJ Group.
New Rules For Federation Square After Sniffers Furore
After an incident last November when a free Amy And The Sniffers gig was cancelled due to security fears of a crowd crush, Melbourne’s Federation Square introduced new regulations.
Major concerts that look likely to draw the capacity 10,000, will now be scheduled in the week and in an earlier timeslot, and only announced 24 hours before. This worked with Robbie Williams in January 2025.
The Sniffers’ set was part of an AC/DC celebration. More punters turned out than expected, and capacity was reached by 7:40 pm. In the impatience and crush which followed, security guards were assaulted and missiles thrown at the stage.
Two Live Music Pioneers Pass On
Australia lost two identities who helped pioneer and shape its live music sector from the 1960s.
Ron Tremaine, 85, ran Adelaide venues The Princeton Club, Old Lion, Redlegs, Kent Town Hotel, and Kommotion (and Bojangles in Alice Springs), set up SA’s first pop magazine Young Modern, fought for indigenous rights, was Light Entertainment Manager for the first two Adelaide Festival of Arts and introduced the long lunch for business and entertainment execs.
He helped form the Central Booking Agency and managed singer Bev Harrell. In 1964 he was one of three, with broadcaster Bob Francis and promoter & socialite Kym Bonython, who brought the Beatles on a day trip to Adelaide during their East Coast tour, with 300,000 people (half the city’s population at the time) coming to see them at their hotel.
Ian “Beazo’ Beazley was a promoter, booking agent and venue operator who, through his Central Booking Agency, put Newcastle on the national touring map, and helped local young bands and DJs cut their teeth.
His venues included Jack On King, Mawson Hotel on Caves Beach (which was the first to put on live acts through weeknights as well), Cardiff Workers Club, and The Venue at The Bel-Air.
A Few Things From Overseas…
New Zealand’s University of Canterbury student bar The Foundry has been forced to introduce a new ticketing system of 300 free invitations after an incident last October at its popular Thursday night DJ Night when people were crushed and injured when they tried to squeeze in.
In Japan, Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group have gone into a joint venture called Nine By Nine to run festivals across the Asia Pacific featuring Japanese acts.
Music Road Trip is a fan-facing app which combines music tourism and gig tripping. It provides an interactive map with US music venues, dance clubs and festivals (and booking resources), landmarks, guided tours… and, ouch, even a list of great events the punter missed.
Live Nation is being sued by 4,000 fans of K-Pop act Stray Kids over a Washington DC concert in June 2025 before 47,000 fans. The suit says that drinking water ran out in near-40 degree weather and they suffered illnesses as a result.
“You're my God!” said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. No, that wasn’t to Donald Trump. It was to Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice after the band met her at her office before a Japanese tour. In her teens Takaichi played drums in a Deep Purple tribute band.
You’re The Noise Try And Understand It
Two of NSW’s two biggest music fans have been duking it out over sound levels of Sydney’s night time.
In one corner was City of Sydney Mayor Clover Moore, in the other was Premier Chris Minns.
As part of overlaying ‘Special Entertainment Precinct’ status in late night trading areas, Moore explained that she got acoustic testing on existing sound limits, and was told some areas would maintain levels and others would increase them.
In a Facebook post, Moore accused The Daily Telegraph of misreporting the issue.
“We made that clear to The Tele, but woke to Trumpian headlines like: ‘Clover silences city's fun’ and ‘Sydney night-life faces “library-like” silence under new CBD noise rules’.
“Claims that ‘night-life hotspots in Sydney’s CBD would be forced to stay quieter than a running dishwasher’ or ‘below what the state government recommends for sleepy suburban streets’ are simply false.”
But Premier Minns fell for this, in a press conference that day, stating, “You just can’t turn Sydney into a sleepy country town, and that is exactly what this plan is attempting to do... Our mayor has to be big enough and open enough to recognise that people don’t want to go to sleep at 9 o’clock at night."
Back to Moore’s post: “A petty swipe. I hope he's just been poorly briefed, rather than opting for a dishonest soundbite with no attempt to engage constructively.
“We all want a nightlife we can be proud of and that our global city deserves. We are working hard to create an environment where our nightlife can thrive.”
Meltdowns
In what was a great moment in bad timing, energy giant Ausgrid informed Newtown’s Sydney Park Hotel he had to close at 9pm on a night because of a planned network upgrade to support new community and business connections in the area.
It was bad enough it was a Saturday night, the venue’s busiest of the week. But even worse, it was St. Patrick’s Day! Publican Will Middlehurst faced a loss of $25,000, if having to cancel bands, Irish dancers and bookings for guests.
But a tip-off to the media saw Ausgrid being questioned at the timing, and the planned power cut was moved to the pub’s quieter night.
An employee of the Red Beret Hotel in Redlynch, Cairns, had to be rushed to hospital after seven large German Shepherd dogs attacked her as she was putting out the garbage.
The dog had escaped from a van outside the hotel, and had been terrorising passers-by, including biting a woman on her legs. The pub closed its doors for 15 minutes and rangers grabbed the canines.
Kaleb Richard Howell appeared in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on the Sunshine Coast April 1 facing charges of stealing jewellery and a phone during a brawl between two groups of men at The Post Office Bar on Ocean St, Maroochydore, on August 24, 2025.
Cops later found him with $400 worth of drugs and stolen items, and charged as well. He copped a two-year suspended jail term.
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
