This fortnight’s roundup highlights the continued support of audiences to live events.
This includes Melbourne Park delivering $1.5 billion to Victoria, upgrades for Launceston Theatre, a SA festival buying a winery, a new strategy for an influential lobby group, new arrivals in Sydney and Geelong, and more changing hands in a buoyant market.
Such backing motivates governments to expand pop up venues and all-ages gigs, finance films about two iconic Perth venues, and finding ways to safeguard punters in Tassie and WA.
The idea of the ticket levy has the live sector excited but some challenges have emerged.
More Pop Up Music Venues For NSW
The NSW State Government’s latest round of snipping red tape for the live sector offers opportunities for promoters in Special Entertainment Precincts by bypassing having to get approval for development applications.
Buildings and car parks will be allowed for pop up live music or community events.
It’ll be easier to convert empty shops and offices into licensed small entertainment venues like small wine bars and restaurants, and more scope for rooftop bars.
Hundreds of clubs on Crown Land across NSW can utilise outdoor spaces for dining without development approvals. But these bowling, surf, RSL, and gold clubs must still meet development standards to manage patron safety, amenity, access and parking for people with a disability.
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Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said, “NSW has some of the best locations in the world, but too many of them have been tied up in red tape.
“These changes will allow us to maximise our potential by allowing venue and event operators to harness outdoor spaces like rooftops, car parks and town halls.”
According to the Government, there are currently 24 councils considering establishing new 24-hour precincts. This continues expanding the state’s entertainment hubs from just Kings Cross and the CDB as was the case.
Melbourne Park Delivers $1.5B To Victoria
An independent audit found that Melbourne Park – whose venues include Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena – delivered a $1.5 billion social and economic boost to Victoria.
Music, sports, and entertainment live events (not including the Australian Open) generated $1.34 billion in Gross State Product and supported more than 13,500 jobs.
455 Melbourne Park events attracted 2.7 million attendees beyond the AO’s 1.2 million. The 470,000 interstate and international visitors and 359,000 from regional Victoria, generated 1.2 million bed nights across Victoria.
These results were driven by multi-night residencies from Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Drake, Katy Perry, Gracie Abrams, Ricky Martin, Kylie Minogue, and Tyler, The Creator, as well as a 15-show run of Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular at Rod Laver Arena.
Across the year, Melbourne Park brought together acts from 16 countries, with headline performances from K-pop stars TWICE, Indian pop idol Diljit Dosanjh, Mandopop performer Ronghao Li, and J-pop singer Ado.
Short Films For Two Iconic WA Venues
Short films about Perth’s Ellington Jazz Club and Leederville’s Hip-E Club make their debut at the Revelation Perth International Film Festival (PIFF) July 8—19.
In a Sentimental Mood, about the Ellington Club, is written and directed by Saskia Glass and produced by Aron Attiwell. Glass focuses on the exhilaration of live music and in a city like Perth.
Hip-E Club: The Beat Goes On is produced by Lucy Nicol and directed and written by Sanja Katich. It comes at a time when John “JA” Anderson, who founded the club 40 years ago, passes the baton to his godson, Ben Maher.
Both films are the result of the City of Vincent Film Project, now in its ninth year. It provides early-career filmmakers with finances, mentorship, in-kind camera equipment from rental company Raz Studios and support from Halo Films.
Spotify Partners With Live Nation For ‘Reserved’
Spotify has partnered with Live Nation for the launch of its Reserved initiative, which rewards superfans by reserving two concert tickets when a tour is announced.
It’s initially available in the US from their summer but other countries will be added in time.
The way it works is Spotify will identify which of its 29 million Premium subscribers (ages 18+) are an act’s most dedicated fans and hold two tour tickets for them.
These are put aside before the tix go on sale, allowing the subscriber to buy them without having to get stuck in a queue. “Because real fandom deserves a real seat at the show,” the streaming service states.
A tour’s superfan is identified by their frequency of sharing, saving, and active listening. It’s not known if they have to pay extra for Reserved.
Paying for privilege is not an issue for China’s Tencent Music Entertainment. It uses early access to concert tickets and exclusive merchandise as perks for its Super VIP tier – which costs RMB 40 (AU$8.02) per month, or five times a standard subs price.
That didn’t stop the tier from getting 20 million subscribers by the end of 2025, or grow revenue in Q1 2025 by 16.6% to 4.22 billion RMB ($815.29 million), and help the company reach revenue in that quarter to 7.36 billion RMB ($1.41 billion).
Gopher Replaces Old Manly Boatshed With Big Turnout
Manly, Sydney, hospitality identity Matt Clifton has another hit on his hands. His late night live music and Irish bar Gopher opened on Friday May 15 on 40 The Corso site of The Old Manly Boatshed. Opening weekend had crowds queuing down the street until 2 am.
Clifton, who was behind Donny’s and The Cumberland, was hands-on with the designs. Light fixtures were sourced from Bulgaria, Germany, the UK, and Canada, and the early 1900s milk glass lampshades from 16 countries.
The name came from The Gopher Gang, an Irish-American street crew who ran amuck in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen from the 1890s to 1910s. Elements in the venue salute that era. One of the cocktails is so strong patrons are only allowed two a night.
The Old Manly was run by Geoff Burgess for 38 years until suddenly closing last September.
Geelong Church Becomes Live Music Hub
Holy smoke! A renovated century-old church in Ryrie Street has become the latest music venue for Geelong in Victoria. Geelong Council made extensive renovations to turn it into an affordable music space for the regional city’s independent and emerging music talent.
The venue, called The Church, is part of Council’s strategy to build up the city’s buoyant live scene. Some of it was outlined during the Geelong Live Music Summit held in early May before 120 music executives, academics, MPs, bureaucrats, and punters.
Eddy Kontelj, Deputy Mayor and Chair of Arts and Culture, Hospitality and Live Entertainment outlined Council discussions for a Special Entertainment Precinct, a parking permit for musicians and road crews, setting up a Night Time Advisory Committee and slashing fees for venues which wanted to have outdoor dining.
Other speakers spoke about the economic and cultural impact of the city’s live music, scope for collaborations between Council and the live sector, precincts and policies, career pathways, the cost of living, and the challenges and opportunities of venues.
Raves For Hobart Town Hall Underground
The City of Hobart has pressed green-light on allowing raves in the Town Hall Underground. The area, with four rooms and a hallway, already hosts installations, music, performance art, sculpture and painting exhibitions, and book launches.
The underground has a certain ambience, once connected to the court room upstairs via a tiny staircase and one of the rooms for constables.
But moving forward with the raves, Ben Artup, Director of Community and Economic Development explained it was so they’d be held in “a regulated and managed environment rather than having them occur unregulated elsewhere.”
SA’s Day Dance Festival Buys Winery
As South Australia’s Day Dance Festival is set for another year (June 6 and 7) it took to social media to alert its patrons that it had bought Simon Hackett Winery in McLaren Vale as its permanent site a few months ago.
It had been staging at the winery since it began in 2017. But the chance came to buy it when founder Simon Hackett died from a stroke in January, aged 73. It had a substantial export market in the UK but went into liquidation last year after a legal battle with a related company.
Day Dance organisers took to Facebook to spell out changes to attendees. “We’re very excited to utilise the full property for the very first time!! The main bar will be in the warehouse. The toilets will be in the production area. And there’s a whole new indoor space for you to nestle in to!”
They put it out there: “Would it be a bit much if we call it Day Dance Winery?”
Venue Safe Message ‘Ask For Angela’ Expands To Regional WA
The WA Government is expanding the ‘Ask For Angela’ venue crisis call in regional areas, four months after introducing it in five metro precincts and finding it effective.
A patron feeling unsafe can use the phrase with a staffer to trigger responses, from being moved to a safe space, having transport home arranged, or having police or emergency services called.
“It's a simple way to offer practical help for anyone feeling threatened or vulnerable,” WA Minister for Women Simone McGurk said.
Pubs, clubs, hotels, entertainment venues, sports clubs, and restaurants wanting more information and free resources can visit the official website.
Upgrade For Launceston Theatre
City of Launceston voted to add another $2 million to the $43 million redevelopment of the 939-seat Princess Theatre on Brisbane Street. It will cover the $2.2 million cost of the hydraulic orchestra lift.
The theatre hosts rock concerts, plays, opera, ballet, and comedy. It is closed for two years while changes include fire systems, disability access and operation issues.
Last year the Federal Government committed to $12.7 million. Arts Minister Tony Burke said at the time, “For a long time when people talked about access in theatres, they only thought about people being in the audience. They never thought about how to make sure that artists, no matter what their ability or disability might be, that they can be in the spotlight as well.”
Good Things Come In Trees: Woodfordia Sets Up Foundation For Forest Of Goodwill
Woodfordia, home of the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, has “reached an important milestone in the Forest of Goodwill campaign,” reported festival GM Amanda Jackes.
It has set up the Woodfordia Foundation Ltd. This comes in the wake of the campaign reaching $2.35 million “so far towards securing Woodfordia into the future.” The Forest of Goodwill is part of a 500 Year Plan to be green for generations to come.
The Foundation will be in charge of how to disperse the funds. In early May, during its “planting festival”, the Woodford community and volunteers set up two new forests – the Friendship Forest and the Forest of Wonder.
New Seasons, New Reasons
Some venues playing roles in live music changed hands, some for eight-figure bonanzas.
After 40 years, the Yang family sold the Bexley North Hotel in Sydney for a reported $70 million.
New owners are John and Dean Feros of JDA Collective. From the ‘60s to the ‘80s, it was a rock hub, where AC/DC, Divinyls, Cold Chisel, INXS, The Church, Dee Minor & The Dischords, The Easybeats, and Mental As Anything would tread the boards until 4 am. The Lonely Hearts played there 14 times.
Seven months after the relaunch of Home House nightclub in Geelong, Victoria, the freehold is up for sale for between $4.3 million and $4.4 million, reports Real Commercial. The two-level building on Moorabool St is being leased for five years by a nightclub operator in Cairns, QLD, with an annual rental income of $250,000.
Moruya Waterfront Hotel, on the NSW far south coast – whose live music programming includes regular Sunday Sunset Sounds, Blues & Roots Festival, and the five-hour NYE bash – is now part of Canberra-based Agnew Group which paid about $6 million for it.
Privately owned and multi-divisional the company already operates The Hive in the town.
The Kings Cross Hotel, well known for its DJ freakouts and three levels of entertainment, will officially shift its keys from Solotel to the Gravanis brothers’ Oscars Group in July.
The venue is at the gateway of the old Cross’ strip and music precinct under the famous Coca-Cola sign. The KX Club packs ‘em out, with a full-bodied VOID sound system, split-platform staging and a 40-piece custom lighting fit-out.
Sunshine Coast hospitality and entertainment hub The Mooloolaba Wharf has been quietly withdrawn from the market, said the Courier Mail. It ends months of speculation that a major cashed up firm would take over and exploit its potential and picturesque location.
Australian Venue Co. and Charter Hall teamed up to take over the leasehold and operation of The White Cockatoo in Petersham, Sydney. Best known for its Sunday afternoon live music, it was run by The Reilly Group who bought it in 2017 and slapped on $3 million worth of renos.
Long Road To Ticket Levy
While the Australian live sector increases its push for a voluntary arena tax levy as a solution to the grassroots crisis, the issue is causing headaches in the northern hemisphere.
In England where this is a £1 ($1.88) contribution, there is great frustration because the Government is taxing the levy. IQ magazine reported that of the £6 million ($11.3 million) raised, 20% or £1.2 million ($2.26 million) will go to the Government.
IQ also reported that last week the German live sector met in the Bundestag (federal Parliament) to discuss the “crossroads” its scheme is facing from some quarters since being introduced in January.
Industry advocacy group The Live Music said efforts were currently at a “standstill”.
Australia will face this. When this column quietly got feedback from two promoters to gauge their support for it, the response was essentially “Nice worthy idea but our shareholders won’t go for it.”
Musical Chairs
BIGSOUND announced that advisers for its First Nations program Goolwal Goolwal are Kaleena Briggs, Joshua Eggington, Uncle Joe Geia, William Kepa, Will Pawa-Oui, Denni Proctor, Catherine Satour, Sherene Stewart, and Candice Lorrae.
Uncle Joe Geia also serves as its Elder In Residence. The proud Gugu Yimithirr Kaurareg man and multi-instrumentalist is regarded as a pioneer of contemporary Indigenous music through his roles in co-founding No Fixed Address and Black Arm Band.
Marc Carnes takes over as CEO of Adelaide Fringe from July 1. He spent 20 years in the arts, fringe festivals and audience development in Canada. He was most recently CEO of Alberta’s music, arts and culture CKUA Radio, and served as Chair of the board of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival.
The Venue Management Association (Asia Pacific) appointed Megan O’Reilly, Chief Operating Officer of Melbourne Park, as its new President. She succeeds Phil King, Managing Director of Ticketek, who served in the role for three years.
Joining the VMA board is ICC Sydney’s Senior Manager – Live Events, Michelle Zangari. She joins newly elected members Houri Tapiki of the Theatre Royal Sydney, Mark Jones of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Geordie Miles of Spark Event Group/VIPeople.
Cumberland Gets Funding For Live Music
Cumberland City Council secured $100,000 from the NSW Government to support contemporary live music and all-ages audiences, and build the next generation of fans, performers and entrepreneurs. The funding was awarded through Sound NSW’s Local Audience Development Grants.
Cumberland is a young culturally diverse area, with its 240,000 residents representing 150+ cultural backgrounds, and the 12-24 age group making up one in five residents. Its Arts, Culture and Events strategy programs Western Sydney music artists at its festivals and curated events.
The new funding will focus on all-ages audiences, including a music event in April 2027 in which young people will develop and produce.
Gympie Muster Checks In
At the official launch last week in Brisbane, Gympie Muster (August 27-30, Amamoor Creek State Forest) announced Get Yourself Checked as its 2026 charity partner. It raises awareness around men’s health in regional communities.
A spokesperson for Get Yourself Checked said the partnership was a natural fit.
“What started as a conversation between best mates Mark Tobin and Brett ‘Knuckles’ Hanly has grown into a powerful initiative focused on raising awareness around prostate cancer and encouraging men, particularly in regional communities, to take control of their health.”
Reps from the charity were on hand at the launch, along with this year’s festival ambassador Amber Lawrence, CEO Greg Cavanagh, Program Director Bec Anderson, the board, staff, and partners.
Cavanagh suggested the Muster had become one of Australia’s most loved festival traditions because of the sense of belonging it creates.
“The Gympie Music Muster is about much more than what happens on the stages,” he said.
“It’s families camping together, volunteers giving their time, community groups fundraising, artists connecting with fans and complete strangers becoming neighbours and friends.”
The 2026 Muster sees the introduction of the new Macca’s Kickstart Stage, a space for emerging artists and the first Campfire songwriting initiative featuring graduates of the CMAA Academy of Country Music.
City Of Perth Investigates Northbridge Violence
City of Perth is looking at different ways to keep violence down in the Northbridge entertainment precinct, with plans to finalise a report by October.
According to The West Australian it unanimously voted to look at orders to ban trouble makers, information sharing between authorities and venues, and technology that could alert licensed premises when banned patrons attempt to enter.
Councillor Chris Patton said the system wasn’t working. “Since the beginning of the year, Northbridge has endured a troubling period, including unfortunately a loss of life and two other individuals left in life-threatening conditions,” he said. Patton is a co-owner and managing director of Northbridge venues Butterfly 73, the Alibi, and Azabu.
A Few Things From Overseas…
Attorney Generals from 34 US states have jointly asked a judge to demand that Live Nation and Ticketmaster be split up, following a jury call in April that Live Nation had an illegal monopoly.
Apple Music launched a new music streaming service, Club Live, of audio-visuals from festivals and clubs around the world, launching with a simulcast from EDC Las Vegas.
New Zealand’s new One NZ Stadium in Christchurch made its concert debut drawing 37,000 to an all-NZ line-up with Six60, Synthony, Kaylee Bell, and Cassie Henderson.
The first Sphere venue outside the United States will be in Abu Dhabi, to open by the end of 2029. The deal between Sphere and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism is to build the 20,000-capacity venue for $1.1 billion on Yas Island. The outside structure will be covered in 360° LED displays.
Kanye West’s debut in India on the weekend at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was cancelled despite 45,000 tickets sold, because of local political tensions not caused by Ye’s big mouth for a change.
Australian Live Music Business Council Releases New Strategic Plan
The Australian Live Music Business Council released its Strategic and Operational Plan 2026-2028 – setting out a clear, nationally coordinated strategy and solution for strengthening Australia’s live music business ecosystem over the next three years.
It focuses on ticketing trust protections, insurance leadership, workforce compliance, best‑practice business resources, grassroots artists, and venue development.
It sets the ALMBC as an effective industry voice. Read the full report here.
Ten Venues Partner With New Found Sound
Ten venues partnered with Port Adelaide’s New Found Sound Festival, drawing 8,600 punters, “turning the precinct into one giant celebration of music,” organisers raved.
They added, “To everyone who came, danced, discovered new music, and made this festival what it is - thank you!”
The free all-ages event, in its third year, was presented by City of Port Adelaide Enfield with the support of Music Development Office SA.
The venues were 10 Gallon Hat, City of Adelaide Clipper Ship, Colac Port ADL, Fergie Mac’s Lounge, Lighthouse Wharf Stage, McGregor and Young Distillery, Pirate Life Brewery, Port River Cruises, SA Maritime Museum, and Waterside Workers Hall.
Finalists Announced For Venue Industry Awards
The Venue Management Association (VMA) has announced the finalists for its 2026 Venue Industry Awards, held in June.
Venue Professional of the Year
Rachel O'Sullivan, Cairns Convention Centre
Mirella Taylor AVM, Stadiums Queensland
Scott Fitzgerald, Marvel Stadium
Allied Professional of the Year
Peter Fawcett, Event Force/ACESGroup
Gavin Taylor AVM, Ticketmaster Australia
Steve Crews, Certis
Young Achiever of the Year
Esha K., Melbourne Park
Emily King, Suncorp Stadium/Legends Global (APAC)
Ruby Lamb, Ticketmaster Australia
Venue Innovation Award
Sydney Showground
Theatre Royal Sydney
Marvel Stadium/AFL - Australian Football League
Suncorp Stadium Celebrates 25th Million Patron
Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium has celebrated a significant milestone with the 25 millionth patron walking through the gates during the NRL Magic Round. Since its redevelopment in 2003, it has hosted more than 950 events including over 480 Rugby League games, 200 Rugby Union games, 260 Soccer games, and 53 concerts.
These included Sir Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, U2, Bon Jovi, Sir Elton John, Eminem, AC/DC, Eminem, Coldplay, Phil Collins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pink, Luke Combs, One Direction, Justin Bieber, Queen, Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Travis Scott and André Rieu, with Robbie Williams, Foo Fighters, and Guns N’ Roses set to return later this year.
Four Meltdowns!
It wasn’t just TISM fined for $18,000 in damage to Sydney Opera House as reported in The Music. Melbourne band Choof apologised to the Croatian Wickham Sports Club in Newcastle after holes were left in walls during a gig.
“Who controls the stage”? The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is fighting world famous pianist Jayson Gillham unfair dismissal case for cancelling him after he made anti-Israel comments about Gaza during a show.
The case of four men who pushed a female staffer of the Bago Tavern in Wauchope against a wall after they were asked to leave returns to Port Macquarie Local Court on June 24. They allegedly left and then returned.
Daniel Gregory Woodward who turned up drug-addled waving a machete and sticking his middle finger at musicians and dancers at a Carols By Candlelight event in Launceston’s City Park, terrifying 2,000 attendees, was jailed for two years and three months with an eligibility for parole after 18 months.
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
