Venues: Launches, Destructive Loud Sounds, Live Music Proposals & Small Venues Flatline

Thebarton Theatre Back After $8.7m Makeover

Popular Adelaide music venue the Thebarton Theatre is set to reopen in October after a $8.7 million 18-month makeover.

A media preview last week of the first stage showed new features include art deco foyer on the eastern side, wheelchair accessible bathrooms, an outdoor plaza for audiences to catch up before and after the show, easier flow between bars and bathrooms with a lift.

Also new is a hi-tech noteboard for upcoming events, repaired flooring using second-hand jarrah boards from WA with upgrades for the 2,000 seats mooted for Stage Two.

For artists and production crews is a hydraulic lift and parking off South Road "to enhance the performers' experience where they can get all of their equipment on and off stage so much more simply," Mayor Michael Coxon explained.

The soft opening is on October 1 with the Elvis American Trilogy but the official celebration is on October 22 with Marcia Hines and Casey Donovan. Bookings are already up to April.

Stamina Launch Sells Out

Melbourne hard techno hard bounce nightclub Stamina’s September 13 launch was a sell-out. 

Set up by the team behind Nerve, it is set up over three rooms in the century-old underground tunnels of Banana Alley Vaults beneath Flinders Street in the CBD “with festival-grade NEXO sound systems, 3kms of neon lights, and production on par with the world stage.”

Brisbane Riverstage Upgrade

The Riverstage in the Brisbane CBD is set for a multi-million dollar upgrade – and Schrinner Council is set to launch an Expression of Interest from experienced venue operators to bear the cost and in return get a long lease agreement to operate the 9,500 capacity space. But it will remain Council-owned with community events.

Last financial year it drew 245,000 people to 38 events including major concerts. From September 22, investors will be asked to provide options on how to transform the venue with new and improved facilities and state-of-art audio.

High profile property developer and live music tragic Scott Hutchinson (Fortitude Music Hall) has already put his hand up for it. He told the Courier Mail he was willing to spend up to $50,000 including a roof over the band area (covering 3,000 punters and the moshpit) and sound proofing.

Sound System Blamed For Venue Damage

An over-loud sound system has been blamed for causing damage to a Port Adelaide nightclub. Shane Hryhorec, owner of CONFESSION, hit out at WILD Sound System, stating they had the volume up so high during a test of a new system at an event that bricks fell off a wall.

“Not only did they push it to unsafe levels, they also filmed it and promoted the fact that it was damaging our venue,” Hryhorec posted. “Despite us making it clear this was not okay, and reminding them multiple times during the night to lower the volume, they continued to ignore requests.”

He was irritated because WILD posted a video boasting of the bricks coming loose because of the power of their system.

WILD apologised saying it did not intend to cause disrespect or harm.

“During sound check on Friday, the bass from our system did knock out some already loose bricks. We filmed it and posted it as promo without realising how it would be perceived. Looking back, that was a mistake.”

The company clarified: “We cleaned up the mess, removed other loose bricks, and are covering all costs of the damage.”

XL Sydney Launches At Basement Site

XL Sydney launched on the weekend (September 13) at the former Kings Cross site of the Basement and Room22 (22 Bayswater Road) with a from-the-ground refit that its team described as "Think Gotec meets Unreal Germany.”

Headlined by Canadian tech star HNTR and Polish “sexy club trance king” EARGASM GOD, the rest of the night set up house and techno on the MainStage and minimal tech and tech house in the new rave cave. 

XL Sydney opens every Saturday night from 11:30pm to 6am.

More Live Music At The Colonist?

Following the success of a pop up beer garden, the Colonist in Adelaide’s Norwood has applied to make it a permanent space for live music and outdoor dining for 120 punters in a laneway on Sydenham Road. The idea of bands has to get past community feedback, ending this week.

Bushfire Issues Over Cochin Field Site

Queensland hospitality company The Comiskey Group’s $35 million plan to set up the 150 hectare Coochin Creek festival and tourism camping site continues to face obstacles.

ABC Sunshine Coast reported a Queensland government agency report has urged the rejection of part of the plans, citing a high bushfire risk and ecological concerns.

The site plans include a 43-hectare tourist park 2 kms apart which would have 75 cabins and 75 campsites. The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) said it had concerns there was a need for the tourism park and its close proximity to a bushfire-prone pine forest.

The review recommended Comiskey Group consult with emergency services to rewrite its bushfire management plan, taking into consideration access to the site, evacuation points and building materials. Comiskey Group argues it’s already “working within government guidelines.”

US Small Venues Flatlining: Report

Figures discussed at the VenuesNow conference in the US last week showed that smaller venues did not benefit from the tourism and entertainment boom of the US summer.

Revenues were up 2.3% to 45 million tickets to $5.8 billion. But venues with 750-cap or less were down 3.5% from last year and 70% down from 2023..

Clubs in the 750-1,500-cap range fell 3.9% while the 1,500-2.500 range faring slightly better with just a 1% slide. In the panel debate over the figures, some said that club numbers depended on nearby festival bills, being more flexible in their booking times, and being more diverse in their bookings.

Wings N’ Tins Amps Up Music

Owner Mark Baird is amping up live music in his 100-capacity Wings N’ Tins in Dee Why, Sydney, He’s appointed agents Ryan Miller (Black Rheno frontman) and Kieron Haycock of Stereo Deathray) to handle the bookings, at milla_bookings@stereodeathray.com.

Hobart Hip Hop Loses Bar

The Hobart hip hop community which hung at Corner Boys on Collins Street for new beats and street food, needs a new chill-place. Owners closed the room and opted for online delivery.

Live Music For Proposed Gold Coast Pub

Live music is on the menu for the Northern Sun, a tavern being proposed for Gold Coast suburb of Pimpama. It is an idea of the Gold Coast Suns club, Australian Venue Co. and Baycrown.

According to the proposal, the music is “likely from the local community including acoustic soloists, acoustic duos, and DJs.” The 2,394 square metre community tavern on Nexus Drive with a total 2,000-capacity will also have a bistro, sports bar, function rooms, gaming room, beer garden and children’s play area.

Green-Soaked

Nine NSW music venues became the first to land Green Venue Certification. They are assessed on energy, waste, water, food & drink, and procurement. They were Anita’s Theatre, Bondi Pavilion, Brunswick Picture House, Club 77, ICC Sydney, King St Newcastle, La La La’s, The Lansdowne Hotel and Metro Theatre.

Parkview On The Block

Parkview Hotel in Alexandria, NSW, known for Friday night music sessions, is under the hammer on Tuesday September 23. It includes a ground-floor public bar and outdoor beer garden, and a restaurant and function space upstairs. 

DJ Wasabi Dies In Crash

DJ Wasabi, well known in Far North Queensland venues, died when the truck he was driving crashed into a gully north of Charters Towers and rolled over. 

Wasabi, born Tom Jones and in his 40s, died at the scene. The father of Danger, 11, and Tea, 4, was also a member of hip-hop group Combat Wombat and Bad Boys Batucada and an integral part of the transpsych festival Orin Aya.

Remembered for his passion for music and community activities, a crowd funding campaign raised $50,000 by the weekend.

Legends’ Global Acquisition Becomes Official

The August 2024 acquisition by US events and teams company Legends of stadium operator ASM Global is now official, now using the name Legends Global in Australia and internationally.

It now operates 450 venues worldwide, hosting 20,000 events with over 165 million guests a year across sports, music, entertainment, attractions, and conventions and leisure.  

In Australia that includes Suncorp Stadium, ICC, Optus Stadium, Qudos Bank Arena, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Newcastle Entertainment Centre and RAC Arena.

Elsewhere the portfolio includes Real Madrid, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees, FC Barcelona, Chelsea FC, University of Notre Dame, Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, OVO Arena Wembley in London, and Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong along with global leagues and properties including LA28 Olympics, NFL, MLB, NASCAR, and PGA of America.

Promised is “next-generation fan experiences by leveraging emerging technologies, harnessing the power of its global expertise and experience. The company is committed to becoming the most tech-forward, data-rich business in the sports and entertainment industry.”

15 QLD Venues Get Funding Boost

The Crisafulli Government is delivering almost $1 million to 15 live music venues across Queensland to grow their business, support upgrades and boost gigs for local artists.

Round two of the Growing Gigs Fund and Live Music Venue Business Grants sees Sublime Farm and Brewery at Kia Ora in rural Gympie get $30,000 to increase ticketed shows featuring homegrown musicians.

Crowbar in Brisbane will increase live music events featuring QLD musicians to perform alongside national headline acts.

The Alley in Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast which is prone to unpredictable weather received $76,643. Co-owners Ben and Leah Crowley, said "We have wanted to install a roof over our alleyway since we opened three years ago in order to hold more regular outdoor events.” 

They have engaged an architect to make it look visually appealing.

Paddington Ale Changes Licence

The Paddington Ale House in Mt. Hawthorn, WA, has changed its licence from “hotel” to “tavern” on the grounds it hasn’t used its 21 upstairs accommodation rooms since 2022.

The venue hosts live music, as well as sport viewing, quiz nights, private functions, a restaurant and a bar. It will remain at 470 capacity, and same operating times. Whether the freeing up of upstairs rooms could lead to a dedicated bandroom remains to be seen.

Report Over Freo’s Noise Concerns

A working group set up in June by Fremantle council to address the noise issues faced by venues, is working on a report to be delivered within 12 months, WA Today said.

It comes in the wake of problems some faced this year over volume. When Honky Tonk Blues wanted to expand, its plans were approved on the condition its sound be limited to 85dB. Other cities facing the same dilemma moved towards a Special Entertainment Precinct solution.

Charity Hook-Ups

RAC Arena, Perth

RAC Arena has added First Nations self-powering association Binar Futures, WA Wildlife, Inclusion Solution which works with people with disabilities, and mental health charity 20Talk to its list of community partners. 

They join long time associates Telethon, Ronald McDonald House Charities WA, The Salvation Army WA, and West Australian Music (WAM).

In operation since the venue’s 2012 opening, RAC Arena’s community partner program has donated almost $1.8 million to charity partners. Staff are actively encouraged to support in a number of ways, from volunteering their time to assist in a call centre and participate in special events, to donating plasma or making meals for patients.

Gympie Music Muster, QLD

The Gympie Music Muster acknowledged the work of nearly 50 BlazeAid volunteers in keeping the 12 Muster campgrounds running smoothly and lending a hand to festival-goers from July 23. Some came from WA and Far North Qld.

“We all love the interaction with people and everyone has a great time – it hasn’t wiped the smile off our faces yet,” Gympie Muster BlazeAid Camp Coordinator Greg Williams said.

Muster’s donation in exchange for BlazeAid’s work makes a big difference. “The money raised means a camp can run for three months in an area hit by natural disasters, or it pays for 20 kilometres of fencing.

Earlier this year, the Muster also donated $6,000 to BlazeAid, raised through the sale of merchandise from previous festivals, to help communities in Western Queensland impacted by devastating floods.

Petition Over Cedar Mills

Faced with delays and no apparent updates in the much-hyped $235 million Cedar Mills entertainment and tourism project, angry residents in Morisset, NSW, have launched a petition demanding Lake Macquarie City Council keep an eye on what the property could be used for.

The former Morisset Golf Course was once a major community space. In 2019 it shut down. Two years later, the Cedar Mills project promised a 30,000 amphitheatre to draw A1 international music stars along with a water park, shops and other facilities.

Initial construction began but locals complained the end result was “an eyesore”. The petition charged, “part of the land has already been sold to Ingenia Communities for an over-55s housing estate, approved through a State loophole. 

“Now the rest of the land is at risk of being carved up for more housing, with Morisset families and young people left with nothing.”

The petition called for no more loss of public open space, some of the property be used for an early-delivered youth/recreation facility, transport links to the station and town centre, and publish quarterly updates “on ownership, development applications, and developer contributions for transparency.”

Developer Winarch Group has released a statement that it “remains steadfast in its plans to deliver an entertainment precinct for the region. We look forward to sharing more details as the revised plans are submitted to council in due course.”

It is believed the amphitheatre has been scaled to a 5,000 outdoor amphitheatre, with plans for a 10,000-seat indoor venue.

Local MP Dan Repacholi, who supported the petition, said Winarch had reached out to him. “At this stage, they have not submitted a DA to reduce the size of the concert venue as previously promised – but that is what they are working towards.

“They’ve indicated that they’ll keep me and the community updated on their plans for the site and concert venue.”