Live music has a central role as more councils embrace the idea of precincts, and the NSW and Gold Coast budgets has kept an eye on venues.
Meanwhile, the latest entertainment spaces range from a 150-year old Sydney church to Federation Square, three major stadiums are working at increased patron experiences, while the live sector job market is buoyant.
Sydney Nightlife Report Identifies Three Barriers
A trial during summer to provide 24-hour public transport. A changed attitude to the way police operate in entertainment precincts. Reforming alcohol excise.
These are some recommendations in the Night Pulse Report 2026. It was collated by the Night Time Industries Association (with support from City of Sydney and conducted by Lonergan Research) the study derived deep-dive data from four major Sydney venue operators, and feedback from 1,000 Greater Sydney residents.
It found big steps forward in some ways. The night time economy has a huge appeal, it’s steadily becoming more diverse and inclusive, and pricing pressure is easing.
But here are the three barriers: “Affordability remains the dominant constraint, public transport continues to truncate the night, and safety perceptions, particularly around policing, are sharpening rather than softening.”
More than one-third of respondents were nervous about safety and policing. 54% recently decided not to go out at all due to transport accessibility and affordability. 29% cited a lack of transport options for feeling unsafe in the City of Sydney at night over the past six months.
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Train usage to the city centre at night dropped from 58% in 2025 to 54% in 2026, while the share of Sydneysiders driving themselves into the city at night climbed from 28% to 32%.
Mick Gibb, outgoing CEO, Night Time Industries Association, said it was a positive that these barriers could be fixed in time.
“Sydneysiders are telling us they want to go out more, and they are telling us exactly what’s stopping them. It’s not a lack of appetite, it’s a lack of trains after midnight and a policing culture that still treats a night out as a problem to be managed rather than an experience to be supported.”
More Live Music For Melbourne’s Federation Square…
The arrival of all-weather Good Nature Hotel to busy Melbourne cultural and sporting precinct Federation Square has resulted in more live music.
Set up for a crowd going to and from major entertainment events and sports matches as well as a dining destination, the outdoor area has upgraded audio and large screens for live music and DJs.
Programming also includes beer garden DJs on Thursdays, DJs and roaming musicians on Fridays, acoustic acts and DJs on Saturdays, and free kids’ entertainment on Sundays.
…And Fremantle’s Manjaree Precinct
City of Fremantle, WA, voted to allow a wider use by a wider arts community of eight properties at Bathers Beach/Arthur Head.
This includes acoustic sessions by the Indian Ocean, First Nations sets and DJs.
90% of a community survey also wanted more spaces for emerging creative talent. Plans are to speak to current tenants before an EOI (Expressions Of Interest) process is launched.
150-Year Old Church Becomes Unholy Playhouse
A deconsecrated 150 year-old Sydney church becomes a 200-capacity pop up live performance space for independent artists called Unholy Playhouse from July 8. Kat Dopper tried the concept with Pleasures Playhouse which closed three years ago.
Dopper says: “Artists and audiences need sacred spaces, places where art, community and human connection can happen outside of our everyday lives. Dancefloors as worship, art as activism and culture as a shared experience.”
Each day of the week, Unholy Playhouse (422-424 Ken Street) changed from dancefloor to live music, comedy, emo night, Dopper’s previous Heaps Gay, a mid-week speakeasy including live band residencies, a Harry Potter rave to late night cabaret series Holy Flesh or karaoke courtesy a gospel choir. See the Unholy Playhouse website for an events guide.
Balmain, Rozelle, Set Up Pub Trail To Whip Up Business
20 venues in Sydney’s Inner West have combined to increase trade and profile by launching the Balmain Rozelle Heritage Pub Trail this winter.
They call it “a celebration of one of the greatest things about Balmain and Rozelle. Take on the whole pub crawl or visit one of the pubs with your families and friends.
“Enjoy the local atmosphere with live music, cold beer, boutique wines and fine food. Follow the trail by scanning the QR code on plaques located outside every pub in Balmain Rozelle.”
Among the 20 venues most familiar to music lovers are The Bridge Hotel, The Three Weeds, The Sackville, The Native Rose, The Royal Oak Balmain, The Unity Hall, and The Balmain.
At its peak, the Balmain peninsula had 55 pubs and hotels run by colourful publicans.
NSW Budget Invests $29.3M In Contemporary Music…
The NSW Budget is investing millions in artists, contemporary music and the creative industries.
$29.3 million is for contemporary music via Sound NSW’s Contemporary Music Strategy. The Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner is flexed with $29.1 million to develop more vibrant night-time precincts in metropolitan and regional areas.
$12.1 million is to help Qtopia Sydney transform the former Darlinghurst Police Station into a permanent LGBTQI+ museum and cultural centre.
There’s a $4.6 million uplift for the Arts and Culture Funding program. $26.8 million is promised to deliver the Creative Communities Policy, including supporting Western Sydney and regional NSW arts and culture strategies.
$2 million will go towards planning for the construction of a sound shell for a permanent, purpose-built open-air performance stage in Western Sydney. To offset the blithering about monoculture, $8.0 million is for Multicultural NSW services and community programs.
…And Gold Coast Budget Muscles Up Venues
Confirmed in the $2 billion Gold Coast Budget were $25 million towards the Gold Coast Civic Music Hall on the former site of the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre; and $6 million to revamp the outdoor stage of Home of the Arts (HOTA).
Marvel Stadium Unveils 365 Tour
Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium is launching more around-the-year attractions. The 365 Tour, launching in July, uses AI and other technology so patrons can visit coaches boxes, dressing rooms, Medallion Club restaurants, the Coca-Cola Hub, and the Marvel Super Store.
Later in the year comes climbs where visitors can scale the heights of the stadium to gain sky-high vantage points, explore the roofline, watch the ground action from the roof, and get an abseiling experience.
Musical Chairs
Adele Robinson, CEO of festival promoter Fuzzy Operations (Field Day, Harbourlife, Parklife, Listen Out) was elected Chair of the Biennale of Sydney board, replacing Kate Mills who stepped down after 12 years. She’s been on the board since 2021.
Robinson is Chair of the Sound NSW Advisory Board, part of the NSW Government’s 24-Hour Economy Advisory Council, Chair of the Australian Festival Association and member of the NSW Music Festivals Regulatory Round Table.
Two senior appointments at Creative Victoria are Shaun Comerford as Director, Creative Investment and Zack Buchanan as Director, Policy and Industry Development.
Comerford was most recently Executive Director of Circa Contemporary Circus 2018 to 2026, and Buchanan joined in 2024 and played a key role in advancing their strategic policy work, including the development of Creative State 2028 strategy and associated initiatives.
After four years as Chief Executive of Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), Mick Gibb resigned. But he will stay on until his replacement is found. Gibb joined the association at a crucial time when it needed a tireless advocate as he, and the after-dark sector, steered through pushing for regulation changes, abandoning lockout laws and taking next steps.
Gibb said this week, "The past four years have been some of the most rewarding in my career. Together with members, partners and Government we have achieved reforms that will have a profound impact on the night-time economy for decades to come."
The Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres (VAPAC) is set for a new era with a new Executive Committee. The new Chair is Eli Dunlevie, 25 years in local government and not-for-profit organisations, is currently Head of Production and Operations with the City of Kingston.
Deputy Chair Simon Myers is Performing Arts and Venue Manager at the Swan Hill Performing Arts Centre and co-owner of Memo Music Hall.
Joining as Secretary is Rod Gilbert, CEO of The National Theatre Melbourne, while new members are Nancy Milligan (Gippsland Performing Arts Centre), and Danny Delahunty (Creative Director/CEO of Melbourne Fringe).
Darwin Festival tapped Ben Graetz as next Artistic Director, taking the helm in 2027 and guiding the event through its 50th anniversary in 2029. He was born and raised on Larrakia Country in Darwin.
Joining Teamwrk Touring are Josh Lane as Senior Promoter, Jake Horvitz from Los Angeles as Talent Manager, Evie Steer from Lemon Tree Music representing Bean Magazine and Sleepazoid, Sam Dainty who represents Charly Oakley and Jemma Cher, and Phil Napoli as a day-to-day manager.
Peter Bauchop is promoted to Executive Director – Operations at Perth-based stadium operator VenuesWest, which he joined in 2014 as General Manager of nib Stadium and then rose to Chief Operating Officer a year later.
Melbourne-based booking agency Encore Venues expanded with the arrival this month of Jessica Giarrusso in Venue Booking & Administration roles, from The Palms at Crown, where she was in operations, administration and live entertainment for four years.
The company added to its venue list with Brisbane's The Met and Melbourne's Leadbeater Hotel joining The Timber Yard, 170 Russell, Max Watts, Crowbar Brisbane, and Crowbar Sydney.
Brad Brown, Gunditjmara musician, community leader and multi-instrumentalist with Blackfire, has joined the board of Music Victoria.
Richard Watts, Deputy Editor and Performing Arts Editor at Artshub is leaving in July after 17 years with the company to work on different projects. He will continue to present his weekly arts program on 3RRR FM on Thursday mornings.
Adelaide Fringe’s philanthropic arm, The Adelaide Fringe Foundation, appointed magician and producer Matt Tarrant as its Chair.
The Arthouse Changes Hands
The Sydney CBD’s Arthouse Hotel, which features live music late week and weekends, is now owned by the Redcape Hotel Group which bought it for $7 million.
The 1836 Pitt Street pad, with a 24-hour liquor license, was run by the McBeath family for 26 years who generated $8 million a year. Redcape had a record financial year, its Managing Director Chris Unger said.
Cairns Gets Sports & Live Music Venue
Cairns’ newest CBD Irish sports bar and live music venue is Murphy’s Bar, which opened on the Sheridan Street site of Empire Alternacade. The music turns on over the weekends.
20 UK Indie Festivals Disappear In 2026
20 UK indie festivals have cancelled, postponed, or taken the year off in the first six months of 2026. This comes on top of the 43 that fell in 2025 and the record 78 in 2024.
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) pulled out these figures as it reached out to the Government for help.
Recently, the Government temporarily reduced the rate of VAT (our GST) for children’s tickets, meals and family attractions, taking the pressure off festivals.
The AIF asked for three things:
Extend the VAT scheme for children and families for the 2027 season, so it applies for when tickets go on sale in 2026 for next year’s events.
That the Government’s upcoming Creative Industries Sector Plan and Music Growth Package, which will see £30 million (AU$57.4 million) invested in music over three years, includes specific support for independent festivals.
A Grassroots Music Festival Tax Relief be piloted to support independent grassroots festivals to sustain and grow their offer.
Afterpay Arena Presses The Redesign Button
Just months after the Afterpay split-payment business took over the naming rights of Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena for five years, it has initiated some redesign and tech ideas to increase fan experience from arrival to event.
It was delivered with creative agency BUCK, architect The Studio* Collaborative, and technology and signage specialists Beyond Media.
Its Square-powered commerce system will be used across food, beverage, retail and merchandise. There’s a new digital wayfinding.
The redesign spans two bars and hospitality spaces. One is a casual family-friendly lower bar, and the other a more refined upper lounge.
It explains: “The Studio* Collaborative designed the spaces to feel distinct while using a shared material language. Both areas draw on rounded forms, pill-shaped references, softened detailing, and a monochromatic palette associated with the Afterpay brand.”
The foyer gets a new centrepiece, one of the world’s largest transparent holographic LED installations. It will feature three seven-metre-wide immersive screens suspended from the ceiling and integrated into the entry experience.
With 92% transparency adding colour and movement, the release says, “BUCK’s creative strategy reimagines the venue as a gallery rather than a traditional sponsored environment. The approach uses venue touchpoints as opportunities for art, discovery and atmosphere.”
Nick Molnar, co-founder and CEO of Afterpay, explained the transformation was built around the in-person experience.
“There are two sides to a great live experience. There’s the excitement that drives you to purchase the tickets, and then there’s what you actually came to the Arena for – the moment you get to see your favourite band, team, or comedian live.
“Everything you’re seeing in these designs has been built around making that in-person moment memorable.”
Among the first artists set to perform at the transformed Afterpay Arena are Laufey, Alex Warren, Tame Impala, J Cole, Khalid, Robyn, Louis Tomlinson, Olivia Dean, Zara Larsson, and Hilary Duff.
Seminar: Setting Up And Running A Grassroots Venue
The tips and tricks of setting up, dealing with complaints, funding woes and avoiding mistakes. A July 14 seminar by the ALMBC (Australian Live Music Business Conference) is sourcing ideas from venue veterans, and with a focus on those in regional areas.
Facilitated by Bron Adams (Morph Consulting/Live Music Office), in-person speakers at Noosa J include Rusty Nyman (The Presynct Nambour), Dale Emery (The Nook Cooroy), and Liam Norton (Nortons Music Factory).
Online has John Collins (QLD Nighttime Commissioner/The Triffid/Fortitude Music Hall), Sky Rixon (Elixir Bar, Cairns), Nathan Stratton (LaLaLas, Wollongong), Mark Neal (The Bird, Perth), and Asia Kwin Taylor (Lulie Tavern, Abbottsford, VIC).
The event is held in partnership with the QMusic, SCMIC, and ALMBC Industry Connect sessions at the same venue. Registrations are essential.
In the meantime, ALMBC Treasurer Kylie Thompson won Australian Public Accountant of the Year at the Australian Accounting Awards.
Big Numbers For Dark Mofo
Tasmania’s Dark Mofo racked up another set of numbers this year.
500,000 entries across venue locations throughout Hobart. 55,000 tickets sold for major events including Night Mass and Winter Feast.
45,000 entries to Dark Park events over four days. Half boarded the Spirit of Tasmania V, the boat moored at site with artworks below deck.
40,000 for Winter Feast, 20,000 for the fire burning Ogoh-Ogoh, 3,000 for the nude solstice swim in the icy waters of the Derwent River, and $67 million expected economic impact to Tasmania’s economy, similar to 2025.
Discovery Nightclub Evicted
In the case of landlord J & N Nominees Pty Ltd v nightclub promoter Deva Darwin Pty Ltd [2026] FCA 693, a Federal judge ordered the tenants of Darwin’s Discovery nightclub to vacate its Mitchell Street site over $1.5 million unpaid debt.
A round-up by Australasian Lawyer reported that after Deva fell behind in rent and loan repayments, a new Heads of Terms was signed between the parties in early 2025.
In this deal, Deva acknowledged it owed $316,516.29 under the lease and $151,506 under the loan agreements. This would be paid by March 2025. However it wasn’t.
Deva counter-claimed on a number of issues, one which was that the landlord delivered draft documents too late, preventing shareholders from releasing funds. Justice McDonald rejected all its claims referring to its testimony as “self serving”, and found that the landlord should get its property back and be paid the debt.
WA Country Music Festival Gets Boost
Plans for WA’s The Boyup Brook Country Music Muster to celebrate its 40th anniversary got a boost when it received a $30,000 grant from a regional arts association.
Club president Colin Hayes outlined that the funding would go towards “professional sound and media production, enhancing both the live experience and digital content while providing opportunities for Western Australian regional artists to perform, collaborate and connect.”
A Few Things From Overseas
Robbie Williams, who’s heading to Australia at the end of the year, has made changes to his business partners. He’s joined ATC Management, alongside the likes of Radiohead, Nick Cave, Johnny Marr, PJ Harvey, Birdy, Future Islands, and Hiatus Kaiyote. He’s also switched to WME for worldwide representation.
While much of Europe suffers from a record heatwave, France banned alcohol at the Fete De La Musique festival which draws millions to the streets of Paris.
Speaking on UK radio, Olivia Rodrigo remembered the time she was visiting the Welsh town of Llandudno. The shops didn’t accept her American credit card… all except a bakery and a pub. “So, sausage rolls and white wine are all I had all day. It was kinda cool. Looking back, it was a great memory."
A concert and painting exhibition will be held in the English town of Cambridge on October 10 to celebrate what would have been the 80th birthday of Pink Floyd’s founder genius Syd Barrett.
A whole bunch of acts, including one called Pünk Floyd, play at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, where Barrett, beset with mental health and drug issues, gave his final live performance on 24 February, 1972. He opted for the quiet life painting, until he passed in 2006.
Suncorp Stadium Getting Biggest Upgrade In 23 Years
The Queensland Government confirmed that Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium is getting its biggest upgrade in 23 years.
These include an Australia-first wraparound LED video screen, a possible increase of its capacity from its current 52,000, new terrace viewing platforms, new bars and entertainment zones, “as well as new external screens to boost activation around the venue.”
Music acts it is hosting before Christmas are Post Malone, Foo Fighters, Robbie Williams, and Guns N’ Roses.
Queensland Minister for Tourism and Acting Minister for Sport and Racing, Andrew Powell commented, "We want Queensland to be the events capital of the country, and the home of Australian sport and Suncorp Stadium plays a central role in our major events calendar.”
Comiskey Group In Court Over Festival Site Bill
Queensland property developer and music venue operator Comiskey Group is in court over its proposed 150ha festival site-for-hire and tourist park Coochin Creek. It is appealing a decision by the Sunshine Coast Council to charge over $15 million in infrastructure fees.
Calling the calculation “irrational” and “lacks a proper foundation", the group has gone to the Planning and Environment Court.
Queensland's Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, who gave the site the green light because of the opportunities for eco-tourism, also blasted the fees.
"I approved and called that project in because I wanted it to proceed, not for it to be held up in court or not proceed because of outrageous council charges."
The project is estimated to create 680 jobs and inject $70 million a year into the local region.
The Comiskey Group runs Eaton's Hill Hotel, Sandstone Point Hotel, The Imperial Hotel, and The Doonan. The proposed Coochin Creek site, which can hold 35,000 festival goers, is on Roys Road, 6km east of the Bruce Highway, and a 30 minute drive from Mooloolaba.
Harrigan’s Extending To 4am
Harrigan’s Cameron Park, one of the NSW Hunter Valley’s largest and newest pubs, is taking advantage of the NSW government's vibrancy reforms. The venue, which hosts live music on the weekend, has applied to Lake Macquarie City Council to extend its trading hours from 2am to 4am.
Four Meltdowns!
Those sweaty palms on your shoulder can only mean one thing: you’re in a party precinct in Brisbane or Sydney, and in a police raid. 48 were arrested in a cocaine crackdown in Fortitude Valley which yielded 169 grams of cocaine, $40,000 in cash and one knife.
Meanwhile, complaints about “aggressive and intimidating” behaviour by police and sniffer dogs on Sydney’s Oxford Street saw politicians tick off NSW Police for overpolicing and intimidating of the LGBTQ+ community. These included dragging people off the dancefloor and marched to the toilets to be strip-searched.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich have asked the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission to set an investigation in motion. Greenwich issued a statement that such behaviour just scares patrons off at a time when Sydney’s after-dark scene is starting to sizzle.
NSW Police responded that the raids were to “proactively disrupt drug supply and address anti-social behaviour”, and that 93 searches on a Saturday night resulted in 42 drug detections.
After its Melbourne and Brisbane seasons, theatrical promoter Michael Cassel Group axed the Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney seasons of Beetlejuice The Musical blaming “rising costs”.
Speaking at a Future Townsville event, Mayor Nick Dametto asked the state and Federal Government to cough up $130 million because the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre is in dire need of an upgrade… including a roof which leaked when it rained.
Years back, when Jethro Tull played the second of two shows at Melbourne Festival Hall which also had a leaky roof, Tull leader Ian Anderson walked onstage at the start of the show under an umbrella and muttered, “Welcome to British Airways’ Hangar #1.”
Tasmania’s Dark Mofo festival might be about trying radical ideas. But Scarr Parlour’s mobile tattoo pop-up was cancelled on its first day itself after a “concerned citizen” complained.
Owner Jason Scarr told the Hobart Mercury that he had a tattoo licence and insurance. But the complaint triggered a 30-year law that tattooing can only be done in a permanent parlour. Result: Scarr lost $2,000 in deposits and wasted hours doing ink designs.
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
