Venues Update: Four Live Proposals For 2025, Closures, Fires & More

FOUR LIVE PROPOSALS FOR 2025

As 2025 beams in, there are four projects on the table that could have a widespread impact – economic, cultural, wellbeing and social – that live music generates.

In this case, the proposals are for the Sydney central business district (CBD), Cairns, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast.

Giant Entertainment Precinct In Sydney CBD

Public feedback for Justin Hemmes’ plan to transform six buildings in the Sydney CBD into a giant 24/7 entertainment precinct finished last month. So City of Sydney will now start to assess the pros and cons.

Hemmes’ company for this 16,300sqm project is JH CLARENCE #2, set up in May 2022. He has been slowly buying up ownership in the six buildings on King, Clarence, and York Streets.

The plan outlines a major complex that incorporates an underground nightclub, jazz club, supper club, boutique hotel, restaurant and cafe, sports bar, health spa, gym, restaurant and lounge, offices, and an internal courtyard.

Hemmes’ pitch is it’ll stimulate a lot of economic activity, offering jobs and tourism attractions, increase Sydney’s brand globally as a world-class entertainment hub, and attract high profile events that will have overseas visitors following.

Among the “yes” arguments on the City Of Sydney’s website are that the night time economy needs more venues to thrive, and that this kind of “big thinking” is essential for Sydney.

Apparently Hemmes’ meetings with City Of Sydney, Liquor & Gaming, and NSW Police have seen them in favour of the proposal, as long as issues such as crime prevention and emergency management are obviously addressed.

The resistance is coming from residents worried about less short-term accommodation, traffic, and noise, while among concerns by local businesses are lack of parking.

Cairns Stadium To Turn Into Global Hub

A master plan by AFL Cairns to turn Cazaly Stadium into an entertainment and sports hub will see A-list international and Australian acts play to 20,000 fans.

Upgrading facilities before the Olympics and Paralympics will improve capacity from 15,000, world-class amenities, upgrade to high-voltage LEDs and drainage and accessibility improvements, and a new multi-use indoor centre.

Tourism, conferences, competitions, and events that create jobs and help local businesses, especially with new spaces that will encompass the inclusivity and diversity of Cairns’ community.

The next step is to get State and Federal Governments to cough up the $500 million, after AFL Cairns spent $250,000 on the masterplan.

Push For 20,000 Seat Adelaide Stadium

Will there be a concerted effort by promoters and others to begin lobbying for an indoor stadium with 15,000 to 20,000 seats costing a possible $550 million to replace the 11,300-capacity Adelaide Entertainment Centre?

It would “put Adelaide on the international map,” suggested Independent MP Frank Pangallo.

A larger venue was put forward in a debate initiated by the Adelaide Advertiser on why Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Lizzo, Harry Styles, Green Day, Pearl Jam, The Killers, and Dua Lipa left the city out on their schedules.

Promoters such as Paul Dainty, Christo Van Egmond, and Live Nation’s Alex Klos agreed it would make it economically viable to get international visitors to consider SA. Dainty suggested the Government giving tax breaks and incentives to promoters would help.

Music SA chief executive Christine Schloithe told the paper, There was “no disputing” that SA had missed out due to a lack of suitable venues. “If we are serious about Adelaide being a vibrant, cultural, UNESCO City Of Music, we would definitely benefit from a larger scale venue for the much larger tours coming through.”

Katy Perry would have been added to the list but SA Premier Peter Malinauskas convinced her to change her mind and play the Entertainment Centre this year after a meeting with her at the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne where the singer conducted pre-show entertainment. Perry is doing four sell-out shows in Adelaide as a result.

Talk of building a new arena has been around for awhile. The former Liberal Government had seen the need, in 2021 promising a 15,000 seater costing $700 million if it was re-elected.

Moves Forward For Gold Coast Stadium

The planned indoor Gold Coast stadium will now have 18,000 seats, rather than 12,000. Mayor Tom Tate pitched the new plan to his Council after a Queensland trade delegation visit to Singapore heard from hosts that a 12,000-seat stadium built in the late 1980s had to be demolished and replaced with an 18,000-seater to accommodate growing demand.

Presumably this larger Gold Coast venue will cost more than the original $480 million. But Tate has declared getting the project off the ground is one of his priorities for 2025.

He was “positive” about public feedback on the project (which ended last month) and “It’s been thumbs up so far.” The next step is to secure a commercial partner, with two promoters eying being involved, convinced it could be a concert, live entertainment and sports events bonanza. 

To host 80 events a year, it will inject $700 million into the local economy over the first decade. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 and plans to be completed by 2028 or 2029.

Residents are protesting the choice of Carey Park in coastal Southport, citing traffic issues and the protection of old trees.

Another priority for Tate is a 1,800-seat Lyric Theatre for Home Of The Arts (HOTA) and tipped to each year draw 200 performances in live music, musicals, ballet, opera, and comedy.

LIVE MUSIC GETS FIVE NEW HOMES

Foundry Theatre, Sydney Casino

Tim Minchin will on February 11th launch the Sydney Casino’s new Foundry Theatre. A flexible performance space for up to 360 seated or 630 standing, it will host concerts, comedy, musical theatre and cabaret.

Ivy Windsor, Melbourne

In Melbourne’s Chapel Street strip, live music venue and cocktail bar IVY Windsor offers DJ sets, piano bar sessions, acoustic gigs, and karaoke nights to fit in with crafted cocktails and gourmet share plates.

Su Casa, Surfers Paradise

After the success of Su Casa nightclub in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, the Luna Group’s Trent Redman extended its R&B and hip-hop vibe to Orchid Avenue on the Sunshine Coast on December 27th.

“That first weekend was out of control, we feel all the support and gratitude,” said Redman, who took over the alleyway site of Electric Lane last February and injected about $750,000 into a new interior, sound system, more booths, and an upgraded DJ deck.

Mr Kim’s, Adelaide

Iconic three-storey Hindley Street nightclub Mr Kim’s, which was closed and put up for sale in 2023, is back pumping out its R&B and hip hop beats Fridays and Saturdays 10pm to 5am.

First set up in 2013, it was part of the Crippen Place entertainment precinct which included Rocket Bar and Electric Circus. In November 2023, owners put up just Mr Kim’s for sale. The identity of the new operators is not known.

Quadraphonic Club, Melbourne

The 350-capacity Quadraphonic Club in funky Brunswick (345 Victoria St) lives up to its name, utilising four-dimensional sound. 

It was in vogue in the late ‘60s (giving its name to a Who album) and then faded out in the technological advances of the 1980s. The club opens from 4pm Thursday & Friday, with DJs from 9pm and live bands in the dancehall.

It also runs on a membership structure like a RSL or bowling club. Members get 10% off purchases and discounts on ticketed events, and get a say in the Quad’s programming and creative collaboration.

Beach Road By 4 Pines, Noosa

New owner Glenn Thiele celebrated its arrival at Beach Road By 4 Pines near the Noosa Junction roundabout with 100 Days Of Summer, with live band, Latin trios and late night house and techno DJs until February 1st. It’s part of Thiele’s strategy to make the venue a “local” for the community, with a new menu and sponsoring sports and community groups.

Zypher Lounge, Perth

Zypher Lounge has been attracting Japanophile music, bar culture and food lovers since it opened last month at 414 Murray Street.

The site previously housed Laneway Lounge and The Volstead Lounge.

Owners Elise Fotheringhame and Cathie Horvat run it as a fusion restaurant by day, and turn it into a Tokyo-style nightclub in later hours. Live entertainment and DJ sets begin from 9:00 pm to midnight every Friday and Saturday.

LATE NIGHT REVELLERS HEAD TO WESTERN SYDNEY 

Greater Western Sydney’s buoyant live music scene is one reason cited for why NSW Government figures are showing that night-time economies in these areas are showing a greater growth in after-dark spend and business growth than in the CBD and the inner city.

Blacktown had a 24.8% rise in food, beverage, leisure and entertainment spending. St Marys and Bringelly posted a 21% growth in go-to destinations. 

Penrith was at 15.1%, Merrylands-Guilford and Parramatta at about 14%, and Bankstown was up 13.8%. Pennant Hills/Epping and Bankstown were around 13.9%, Auburn at 12.3%, and Liverpool with 11.4%.

In inner city and CBD Sydney, the growth was 4% but not surprisingly they still continue to command the greatest attendance and spend.

Data After Dark

The figures are from the new Data After Dark platform set up by the NSW Government so councils and politicians can track growth and economic activity changes between 6 pm and 6 am to guide them on future policies and priorities.

“We want people to get people off the couch and go out at night,” said 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues. “This data shows that people don’t have to travel too far to find a great night out, regardless of where they live in NSW.”

Other reasons cited for stirrings in the West are population growth, venues staying open longer, infrastructure investment like the airport to open in 2026, and policies introduced to kick-start the night-time economy, as the Uptown District Acceleration Program, the Live Performance Venue Program, and the Vibrancy Reforms.

VENUE BLUES

Tomcat, Brisbane

Tomcat on Wickham Street in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley will remain closed until the end of January. They’re still cleaning up from water and smoke damage caused when the tobacconist next door was set on fire on Boxing Day.

Owners apologised to acts booked in January. “We know how much work and effort goes into them, so it’s a shitty situation all around. Big thanks for all the messages of support, they really are appreciated.”

Level Up, Adelaide

Adelaide clubland supremo and Wolf Nightlife Group owner Antony Tropeano has gone to Licensing Court. It is to appeal a push by SA Police to stop him offering axe throwing in his latest establishment, Level Up.

The club, in his former Red Square site on Hindley Street, is for a “diverse demographic” of fun folks to loosen up with shuffleboard, air hockey, darts, pool and a caravan-style bar before heading off to late night clubbing.

Police argue axe throwing is dangerous in clubs, while Tropeano insists there is enough security to prevent injuries. The club’s social media last spring described it as exciting and “perfect for parties, date nights, or just testing your skills in a new way.” The court has to decide if axe throwing contravenes special night time laws.

Chicane, Sydney

Liquidator Stephen Dixon’s report of one-time Kings Cross celeb hangout Chicane outlined that the business owed staff $90,707 in unpaid wages, leave and super.

The Saturday Telegraph reported that also out of pocket are AGL $42,000 for unpaid electricity bills, Bizcap Au Pty Ltd over $28,000 for an unpaid loan, and Metcash Trading Ltd more than $15,000 for stock purchases of alcohol.

The club was Maali when run by controversial bar owner Ussi Moniz Da Silva. He disappeared overseas, leaving $7.6 million in debts. Director Chrissie Jaucian took it over in April 2023 and changed its name to Chicane, drawing on her life savings. But the place closed last winter.

Sirens, NSW Central Coast

Sirens nightclub in Terrigal, on the NSW Central Coast “will be closed for the foreseeable future.” It was gutted last month in “suspicious” circumstances. A week earlier, someone tried to start a fire near the front door but it was doused quickly with no damage.

Carlton Club, Windsor Castle, Melbourne

Two Melbourne pubs operated for 20 years by artist-turned-publican Tracey Lester are in administration. 

She operated the Carlton Club under the company Furry Meatball and the Winsor Castle near Chapel Street (with pink elephants on the roof) as Floss Bottom. She blamed “the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Cor Cordis administrators Rachel Burdett and Shaun Matthews are looking for proposals from parties to buy the two companies (or their assets) or will come in to restructure them.

STRONGER REGIONAL VENUE NETWORK

The Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC) is calling on individuals to advocate for a stronger regional venue and touring network across the nation. Its Executive General Manager, Ant McKenna, says these have not recovered from the pandemic.

“It is nearly impossible for artists and promoters to sustain regular gigs. However, these circuits are vital - not just for the music industry, but for the communities they serve. 

“Touring brings live experiences to audiences who may not have easy access to major city events, while also supporting local economies and inspiring new generations of musicians, song writers and storytellers.”

The ALMBC has had wins for regional and remote venues and festivals with Federal Government funding. In the latest, with Revive Live, it successfully lobbied for the removal of multi-national owned companies from being eligible to apply.

NEW ERAS

Freda’s Cafe, Sydney

Late night music-centred Freda’s Café is the latest victim of Oxford Street’s redevelopment, which has seen venues and record stores pull down shutters. Owner David Abram and partner Carla Uriarte call last drinks on March 1st.

Freda’s began as a bar and nightclub in Chippendale in 2011, throwing legendary dance parties over nine years. Redevelopment saw a move to Darlinghurst, reopening on New Year’s Eve in 2020.

Abram expected to stay for just a year. But on the weekend, it threw its fourth birthday celebration. Freda’s will reopen elsewhere this year.

The Beast, Melbourne

The East Brunswick two-storey building which housed Maz Salt’s live music venue The Beast for the past 12 years, sold quickly for $3.75 million, less than a month on the market. The new owner remains a mystery, but The Beast has a ten-year lease with options.

Lucille’s, Sydney

Simon and Lucille Rose-Hopkins, the team behind country and western bar Jolene’s have a second southern-influenced live music venue.

Lucille’s, named after BB King’s guitar, took over jazz bar The Swinging Cat at 44 King St, and operates it initially as a Wednesdays to Saturdays pop-up with strong Memphis blues and rock. There’s a family connection: co-owner Lucille was named by her parents after they saw BB King perform in New York.

Regent Theatre, Melbourne

Despite heavy speculation to the contrary, the Victorian State Government has stressed it has no plans to sell its 50% share of the Regent Theatre, saying it is too important to the Melbourne community.

At the Future Melbourne Committee meeting last month, in response to a question at the end of the meeting, the Lord Mayor indicated that he had not commissioned a report into the Regent Theatre, nor would he be doing so.

The Cranker, Adelaide

Things have changed somewhat for The Crown & Anchor aka The Cranker. The Adelaide live music venue generated rallies and petitions when it seemed a developer might pull it down for a 19-storey student accommodation block. 

The SA Premier stepped in and pulled off a deal which was a win-win for all, which also meant the Cranker would be moving out temporarily for two years. New laws were passed to save similar grassroots music venues.

But just as the dust settled, In Daily reported that the original developer, Singapore-based Wee Hur Holdings has sold its Australian student accommodation portfolio for $1.6 billion as it now expects demand to drop when caps on international students kick in.

Wee Hur still owns the Cranker, and seems to be working out what to do. According to InDaily, hotel leasee Tom Skipper expected to be told to move out in April, but has heard nothing yet.

QUEENSLAND STADIUMS SET ATTENDANCE RECORD

Stadiums Queensland announced it drew a record 5.8 million patrons across its nine venues in the 2023/24 financial year. The report showed that the venues contributed $1.7 billion in Gross State Product (GSP) to the Queensland economy, as well as providing an estimated 7,012 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs directly, and 5,405 FTE jobs supported through flow-on activity across the industry.

Brisbane Entertainment Centre (BEC) hosted 85 main arena performances, P!nk set a new attendance record at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville with 65,000 fans, and P!nk and Paul McCartney pulled strong crowds at People First Stadium on the Gold Coast.

QUDOS BANK ARENA TAKES STRIDE WITH MULTICULTURAL FANS

With increasing tours by K-Pop, to Mando Pop, Indian Hip Hop/Pop and Reggaeton acts, Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena teamed with multicultural agency CulturalPulse to engage with their audiences.

This is through more targeted marketing and customising communications for maximum impact. For example, 86% of fans of K-Pop band aespa found translated newsletters "Helpful" and "Culturally Inclusive", compared to 58% of Arijit Singh attendees. 

Food options were more widely consumed at the Arijit Singh event (52%) than aespa (36%). Culturally specific menus, such as the Indian Tasting Box, which sold over 1,173 units at Arijit Singh’s concert, marking an 81% increase in sales compared to previous Indian events.

Bi-lingual customer service representatives were deployed at key multicultural events, and bi-lingual video content with subtitles was produced to ensure seamless communication with audiences from diverse backgrounds.

Utilising the CulturalPulse media and amplification network, the marketing campaign that reached Korean audiences led to 2,134 clicks to the website and increased ticket sales by 43% in four weeks.