Cairns’ Last Independent Live Music Venue Calls For Help Amidst Financial Stress
“Saving Elixir and Melting Pot isn’t just important—it’s essential.”
Elixir Music House (Supplied)
After almost eight years of serving the Cairns community the best live music possible, Elixir Music House is on the verge of closure. Surviving through the COVID-19 pandemic and a cost of living crisis, Elixir and the upstairs joint Melting Pot have become a safe haven for local artists - functioning as Cairns’ last independent live music venue. However, the owners of the space are wanting to sell - and Elixir does not have enough money to buy it.
The family-run venture needs to raise $1.5 million in the next three months to be able to stay afloat. Launching both a GoFundMe and an Australian Cultural Fund page, co-owners Sky Rixon and father Bill Shields are urging live music lovers to donate to their cause.
“We’ve seen firsthand how Elixir changes lives – giving artists a safe space to take creative risks, refine their skills and build lasting careers,” Rixon tells The Music. “Elixir is more than a venue – it’s a portal to unforgettable live music moments. It invites tourists, domestic and international, to immerse themselves in the magic of small local and independent touring artists. Nights like these create emotional connections that linger long after, and become the source of everlasting, amazing memories.
“We’re calling on artists, industry professionals and all music lovers to contribute to the campaign in any way possible and share Elixir’s and Melting Pot’s story. Every dollar raised brings us closer to securing a permanent home for live music in Cairns. By donating, you’re not just helping save a business—you’re investing in a legacy of live music, artistic growth, and collective joy that touches lives and strengthens our region’s cultural fabric.”
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Unfortunately, finding another space for Elixir just isn’t an option for the family right now.
“As Elixir, we have thought about finding a new location, however, finding a suitable one at the moment has been very difficult,” Rixon writes in the GoFundMe. “Costs, time, refit, new DA again, licensing, location compromise and all to be in exactly the same position paying killer high rent. Unfortunately it's just not sustainable, especially in Cairns. The only way to secure our space is to do what we're doing now, with our new Org owning the building, it will be a community owned venue with Elixir running as a separate business downstairs.
“Without a dedicated venue like Elixir, local artists lose a vital stepping stone to national recognition and touring artists lose a key venue that has long supported alternative, original and experimental music.”
Aside from the financial stressors of having to find enough money to buy the space, Rixon and Shields have had a troubling few years. Not only has the venue’s insurance been raised by 964%, but they’ve been in “constant harassment battles” almost every two weeks, with council, licensing, noise EPA, police and Body Corps - thanks to a “neighbour from hell.” And, on top of that, Rixon’s mother passed away just this last Christmas.
The Cairns community has rallied together to lessen the load on the family, creating a new organisation, 4 Hearts Creative Collective (4HCC) to head up the fundraising effort. Cairns Voice Studio, R.3.B, JPoint, Secret Men, Poundcake and Bellahdi Dance Troupe have already thrown fundraising events, while a few more are yet to come - Fam Jams with local First Nations family The Briscoes, Tileathon with Tinderebox, In/Off Club by The 5Presents. On top of that, Forest are donating the cover charges from their final Cairns show toward Elixir.
“Saving Elixir and Melting Pot isn’t just important—it’s essential. Our venue is a beacon for creativity and inclusivity, fostering a dynamic cultural and touring ecosystem in regional Far North Queensland. We have given countless emerging artists the opportunity to perform, mature and be discovered, as well as accomplished artists to develop, grow and refine their craft and build their following, all while offering the community a safe, welcoming space to explore, create and connect. Without it, we risk losing a vital hub for local talent and a venue that champions diversity, from First Nations and LGBTIQ voices to school groups and startups,” Rixon says.
The father-daughter duo are about to embark on a marketing tour of the east coast to promote their cause - kicking off on April 14. Lining up meetings and chats with other venue owners, they’ll will be hitting up Otherwise Bar Townsville, Can You Keep a Secret, Last Chance, The Tote, and more.
“We want to raise awareness to our campaign but also make connections with all the integral grassroots and larger live music venues to see where we can establish a proper touring circuit and just see where we can all help each other,” Rixon explains. “Muso swaps? Who knows! We'll see where our conversations go.”
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
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