Venues: Reboots, Blow-Outs, Fines, Moves, Cancellations & More

REBOOTS & NEW GROOVES IN SYDNEY

The NSW Government’s boost to the live scene this year is already paying off, with new music spaces springing up.

Pelicano’s

Andrew Becher is rebooting his Pelicano’s brand as a nightclub and restaurant at the site of the old Hugo’s Lounge in Kings Cross. A young Becher spent most of his weekends at Hugo’s. The nightclub opens on the October long weekend, and the Mediterranean-themed eaterie a few weeks before.

Under David Evans, Hugo’s was one of the most high-profile nightclubs in its 15 years. Then came the lockouts, and in 2015, it went into administration after losing 60 per cent of its trade.

The Calypso

The Calypso opened on August 24 as part of Oscars Hotel Group’s reopening of the five-storey Bristol. OSG bought it in 2016 for $19.5 million but closed it four years later for COVID-19. 

Producer/DJ Aidan Bega curates the DJ roster to spin until dawn under the mirrorball, which has been brought back out of mothballs.

Mirage KX

Mirage KX, the soon-to-come Bayswater Road cabaret bar, is a team-up of hospitality legend Maurice Terzini with queer collective House of Mince. Terzini wants to bring the dinner-and-show concept back to Kings Cross but with Mince’s hedonism and energy input.

ELWOOD LOUNGE WON’T RETURN

The Elwood Lounge in Melbourne won’t be returning after a fire on August 22 caused extensive damage. As reported by TheMusic.com.au, “Fortunately, no one was hurt.”

On the weekend, its owner of 20 years, Kumar Savundra, who turned it into a community hub as much as a music venue, announced on social media the club would not be returning.

“Unfortunately, we will not be calling last drinks anymore, and we have turned the lights off for the last time. We say thank you and farewell to everybody.”

With strong support for local acts, the Glenhuntly Road business hosted live music on Fridays and Saturdays and open mic night on Wednesdays.

TOWNSVILLE LOSES CONCERT HALL

Townsville in Far North Queensland has lost its mooted 1,000-seat concert hall. 

Originally costing $98 million, it was to have been part of the proposed North Australia Arts Precinct, which would have delivered more international and major Australian acts and allowed Townsville to brand itself as the events capital of North Australia.

It’s been on the agenda for seven years. However, the Townsville City Council voted at a special meeting to redirect the $100 million mark for the concert hall to Reef HQ museum and a further $4.9 million to secure arts infrastructure for Townsville’s leading arts organisations.

It was felt that Reef HQ provided a key environmental and tourism asset for Townsville and created jobs for locals.

Townsville mayor Troy Thompson explained that last month's latest report from the $2 million business case showed “the cost of the Concert Hall is significantly more than $100 million and as such is financially unviable at this point in time.” He said the idea of the NAA precinct was still on the table.

MORE NEW ARRIVALS

PERSA, Melbourne

PERSA is a newly refurbished 380-capacity band room at the Perseverance Hotel in Fitzroy, launching with acts such as Kim Salmon’s Smoked Salmon, Loretta Miller, and The Pinstripes. 

There is a brand new stage, PA, and lighting installed, all set up for bands. The room also acts as a late-night event room, with the ability to host DJ events until 3 a.m.

Enigma, Brisbane

Hallmark Hospitality Group's 14th venue, Enigma, opened in Fortitude Valley’s Brunswick Street after a $9.3 million renovation. Branding itself as being inspired by Ibiza, Miami, and Las Vegas, the Friday and Saturday night place greets punters with an LED walk-away.

Hallmark’s other venues include Lost Kingdom, Maggie May, Lefty's Music Hall, The Lord Alfred, Sandbar, Asylum and Spotted Cow.

11.45, Perth

Plans to build a three-storey over-25 nightclub on Perth’s Wellington Street got a boost with a  $25,000 grant from the City of Perth to help with the fitout. Earlier this year, the company 11 Forty-Five Pty Ltd unveiled plans for the club.

To be built in a derelict site that previously housed a massage parlour, the three floors will have a total capacity of 1,400. They will feature robotic cocktail machines, two dance floors, a cocktail and VIP lounge, a sit-down dining area, music at a lower decibel level, and three DJ booths playing “culturally diverse music.”

The name comes from “the time that clubgoers go out and ‘hit the clubs’.”

Shadows Mt Gambier

Heavy metal fans Karen Bracken and musician Dale Barnard bought Shadows in Mt Gambier (SA) in March after the previous tenant was booted out for unpaid rent and are planning to revive it as a live music venue in 2025.

Yada Ya, Gold Coast

Gold Coast businessman Michael Read has applied to build Yada Ya as a live music venue, restaurant and bar on Southport’s on Hicks Street. The venue has an 11 p.m. closing time.

Read is also building Fire Baby and Foundry on Welch Street, a combined entertainment venue with dining and a function room.

CLUB FINED FOR “UNACCEPTABLE” PROMOTIONS

Townsville nightclub FLNDRS was fined $5,000 by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation for running “unacceptable” promotions that encouraged fast-paced drinking. The club also paid more than $2600 in court costs.

The quarrel was over Turn Up Tuesday and Ballin’ On A Budget, reported the OLGR, which encouraged rapid intoxication. Patrons paid between $20 and $30 to receive a wristband and plastic cup, which allowed them to refill with unlimited basic spirits for an hour. 

One patron bought into the deal back to back, downing 13 drinks in two hours.

CANBERRA STADIUM COST UP 400%

The cost of the 35,000-seat rectangular stadium on the old site of the Civic Pool in Canberra has shot up. In 2021, a feasibility study put it at $582 million. Now, ACT Sports Minister Yvette Berry has told Parliament it’s between $2.128 billion and $2.9 billion as construction fees jump across the industry.

Building on the pool site would require changes to roads and the construction of a 108,000-square-metre multi-storey car park that, for security reasons, cannot be built under the stadium. 

Last year, the ACT Government also proposed a 7,500-seat indoor stadium for concerts. The $50 million to redevelop Viking Park as a mid-sized solution is still available, but the ACT Government wants the Vikings team to increase its financial contribution. Two years ago, one idea was to increase seating from 1,000 to 10,000.

CHANGING HANDS

Unicorn Hotel, Sydney

September 1 saw the official handover to the new owners of the Unicorn Hotel on Oxford Street in Paddington. JDA Hotels plans to return in early summer after a revamp that includes expanding space in the upstairs section.

We’re not sure what this means for live music, but their other venues, such as the General Gordon and Padstow Park Hotel, do have music.

Live music was reintroduced into the venue in 2022 by Mary's owners Jake Smyth, Kenny Graham, Porteño, Bodega co-owner Elvis Abrahanowicz, and Oscar McMahon from Young Henrys, who took it over in 2015.

The Olivia Hotel, Adelaide

Red Herring Group is no longer at The Olivia Hotel on Adelaide’s Hutt Street. According to the Advertiser, its Sydney-based owner changed the locks after an eviction notice for more than $9000 in unpaid rent and $3300 in costs.

The Evening Star, Sydney

The Evening Star, located on Elizabeth Street in inner-city Surry Hills, on the edge of the CBD, was added to Universal Hotels’ portfolio after a $15 million changeover.

It was also sometimes known as the Eagle Star and home to punks, goths and skaters in the 1980s and 1990s.

Missing Gorilla, Melbourne

Anthony Cayless and Jason Muller have put Missing Gorilla in Eltham on the market after upgrading it four years ago. It hosted the likes of The Black Sorrows, Boom Crash Opera, The Chantoozies, Badloves and The Eurogliders.

Victoria Hall, Fremantle

Fremantle Council is considering offers from six parties to buy Victoria Hall, The West Australian reported. It is home to the Fly By Night Club and Deckchair Theatre. Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said it was “encouraging” to see interested buyers keen to retain the venue as a cultural facility.

STRANGE BREWS

Some non-traditional places are being tapped for concerts.

Bunnings

Could we see more raves at Bunnings hardware stores? The first was held in Preston, Melbourne, last Saturday (August 31) over four hours with Peking Duk and What So Not on the decks. See here for TheMusic’s wrap-up.

The chain’s Marketing Manager, Justine Mills, revealed the 1,000 tickets sold out in four minutes. However, just how much was raised for charity? Support Act Event promoter Totem reported 1 million TikTok views on all content since 19-year-old Sydney DJ Kaila kicked it off with a mash-up of the Bunnings theme song.

Bunnings’ social media team hadn’t seen much engagement with a younger crowd, which presumably should see more similar raves.

White Bay Power Station, Sydney

The Inner West Council set out a plan in autumn to turn White Bay Power Station into a regular performance venue, following the success of the Biennale of Sydney, which drew 180,000.

The NSW Government has made it a reality by hosting a three-day festival of its own, the Power Up Festival, from September 20 to 22. It was a homecoming for headliner Josh Pyke: He grew up as a kid near by, and he and his friends would sneak into the disused station in Rozelle and roam the cavernous spaces.

The Biennale of Sydney has already announced it’s returning there in 2026 (March 7 to June 8) under new Artistic Director Hoor Al Qasimi.

We’re not sure if they've reached out to Jimmy Barnes. When Mayor Darcy Byrne spruiked the idea of the power station as a music venue, he said, “You can just imagine how good it would be to see Jimmy Barnes belting out Working Class Man in the same space where generations of power workers toiled away.”

Cottesloe Beach, Perth

Despite some neighbours starting an online petition to stop music on Cottesloe Beach (the noise! the garbage left behind!), it’s gaining a reputation for concerts.

T1000 Events has been given permission for a second Electric Island rave (April 5 and 6). Last year, 9,000 people were drawn to see Armand van Helden, Roger Sanchez, and Sneaky Sound System.

INCREASED CAPACITY FOR BARLOW PARK

From 2028, concerts at Cairns sporting stadium Barlow Park will see capacity virtually double. This is after the Federal and Queensland governments invested $91 million in an upgrade for the Olympics and Paralympics. During the games, capacity will swell to 20,000.

WINNER

At the inaugural Newcastle Bar Awards, the Best Live Music Venue gong went to The Stag & Hunter. Finalists were Adamstown Bowling Club, The Beach Hotel, The Hamilton Station Hotel and The Underground.

ADELAIDE NIGHTCLUB GOES

The long tail of COVID hit another Adelaide nightclub. Complaining about the lacklustre nightclub scene, Electra House on King William St, which launched in 2015 after a $10 million refurbishment, has quit music to become a stylish wine bar and eatery called Electra. 

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Roz Pappalardo @ Darwin Entertainment Centre

Prominent Queensland arts identity and singer-songwriter Roz Pappalardo begins this month as Head of Programming at Darwin Entertainment Centre. She worked a decade as an Artistic Director for the Cairns Regional Council and eight years on the QMusic board.

Cameron Jones @ Qld Country Bank Stadium

As Townsville's Queensland Country Bank Stadium sets to move into a period of growth, it tapped Cameron Jones as the Venue's General Manager to attract more events. He was the Director of venues at the Queensland Department of Sport and Recreation. Among the major acts playing at the venue were Elton John and P!nk.

Emma Ireland @ Bendigo Pride

Famed Victorian venues exec (Revolver Upstairs, Bar Open, Chasers) Emma Ireland is the new Festival Director of Bendigo Pride Festival. She was previously at Big Day Out, Bluesfest, Meredith Music Festival, and most recently directed ChillOut Festival.

Torenbeek, Kavanagh@ QPAC

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) made two senior appointments. QPAC Head of Engagement, Katrina Torenbeek, is stepping into the role of Director – Engagement. 

She has executive management and programming experience across festivals, venues, and arts organisations, including Queensland Music Trails, Queensland Music Festival, QPAC, Brisbane Festival, and Metro Arts.

Beginning as Director – Programming was Sydney arts leader Ellen Kavanagh, whose credits included Sydney Festival, where she was Head of Programming Operations since 2021, following four years at Sydney Opera House.

Tim Richardson @ Townsville Entertainment Centre

Tim Richardson moves up from the Gold Coast to take over as CEO of Townsville Entertainment Centre. The role also covers Townsville Convention Centre and its new five-star hotel, Ardo.

Kim Berkers @ Arts Centre Melbourne

Arts Centre Melbourne appointed Kim Berkers as Executive Director, Destination and Audience. She will lead the customer service, engagement, innovation and strategic communications functions. She was most recently Chief Executive of the Scott Pickett Group, a restaurant group with individual brands including Longrain, Chancery Lane, Estelle, Matilda, Smith Street Bistrot and the new Audrey’s at Continental Hotel in Sorrento.