'We Have Enough To Get Through Six Months': How Aussie Live Venues Are Coping In Pandemic

It feels like forever since we’ve been able to grab a beer at our favourite live music hang and soak up some sweet local music, but for the venue operators and owners, it’s felt like a lifetime as they navigate COVID-19 and what it means for their business.

Earlier this week, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews warned that venues, bars and pubs won't be reopening "any time soon", and while many have adapted and are finding other ways to survive, with no real end in sight around social distancing and lockdown measures, it can be hard for venues to plan accordingly.

Appearing on a special episode of The Green Room podcast last month, John "JC" Collins, owner of The Triffid and co-owner of Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, revealed that because no shows are taking place right now, there is currently no revenue coming in at all, which is becoming an increasingly bigger problem.

We checked in with some of Australia’s venues to see how they are coping and what their future looks like:

Corner Hotel - Melbourne, Victoria

Bella Kranjec, Online Marketing & Social Media Coordinator, The Corner Group

We’re definitely hanging in there and counting down the days until we’re able to reopen. Until then, we’ve jumped on board with CUB’s Love of Your Local campaign with which punters can pre-purchase a pint to redeem in the future. Venue vouchers for shows as well as food and beverage will also be available on our websites shortly.

On top of that, one of the best and most immediate ways that punters can support both artists and venues is by holding on to their tickets! Rescheduled shows are in the pipeline so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more info as it comes.

Support The Corner Hotel here.

Fortitude Music Hall/The Triffid - Brisbane, Queensland

John Collins, Venue Director

The team from the Triffid and the Fortitude are working together and supporting each other through this devastating crisis. We realise as we were one of the first businesses to shut down that we will most likely be the last to open its doors again. The government initiatives have been very helpful in keeping our staff employed and the recent code of conduct for leases has certainly been helpful as well.

The main focus for us is to be ready when the world of entertainment opens up again. It would be great to see the fans of music get behind the artist and venues and get out and support the industry. We’re ready for them!

Support the Fortitude Music Hall and The Triffid

The Old Bar - Melbourne, Victoria

Liam Matthews, Owner

It is definitely a very weird time. At this stage The Old Bar is closed, as are all venues. We have removed all the alcohol and switched off as much machinery as possible like fridges and the beer system. Basically we have moth balled the place and it will sit there and gather dust until we are notified we can begin trading again.

Our feeling is that we won't be allowed to trade during winter due to this being a high risk period. Beyond that, our main concern is that they will let us open again but in the same way as we were during stage 2 which was a disaster. Limiting our capacity from 179 down to 40 was really difficult as was trying to keep people separated from each other at 2am. When we do reopen we need to pretty much just kick into running at 100% or this is where we will find ourselves in trouble.

In short we feel as though we have enough money and good will to get through around six months, if they take us much beyond that we will need to start considering our options.

Support The Old Bar here.

The Lansdowne - Sydney, NSW

Jake Smyth, Owner

When being asked to comment on how Mary’s and the Lansdowne is coping, I've become increasingly aware of how our voice can be taken to speak for those other members of our community whose voice is not so loud.

A voice speaking purely about itself at a time like this, is truly unpalatable.

So, to answer the question about how people can support this industry, our answer is simple.

Get it straight in your head WHY you care about ART and MUSIC, and let that inform HOW you care.

Carefully consider WHAT you are supporting, WHO you are supporting.

When the world breaks down, artists don’t. They get to work. Challenging us and lighting a path towards a future that is not probable, but possible.

Without stages for these artists to speak their poems into life, our future becomes darker, less sure, clouded.

So find bands and artists that excite you. Become a fan again.

When the world begins to open, refuse to simply HEAR music. Turn off Spotify and go and SEE and FEEL music.

Support venues whose values are reflected in your own.

Support artists that breathe life into the world, who grapple with life through song and dance and paint and humour and empathy.

Thats what we can all be doing. All of us, together, dreaming up the future.

All finding our small way to help keep the dreaming going, to keep the spirit of the possible pulsing.

Support The Lansdowne here.

QPAC - Brisbane Queensland

John Kotzas, QPAC Chief Executive

QPAC, along with all its industry colleagues, is continuing to navigate the changing nature of the COVID‑19 situation globally.

As with so many areas of our society, we don’t know what the immediate future holds and how it will impact our program in the near future, however we are working hard with our industry partners to find the most sustainable and responsible way forward.   

At present our theatres remain closed, and given the uncertainty of the global environment, we are working to reschedule rather than cancel performances and confirm return dates for events either directly impacted by current closures or with the potential to be impacted by ongoing government directives.

We share the arts industry’s concerns and struggles and are committed to playing a key role in getting this vital industry back on its feet as soon as possible.

We’ve been heartened during this time by Australians’ acknowledgement of the valued role that the arts plays in our society. We encourage anyone who can, to hold on to their tickets for rescheduled events so that when we can throw open the doors of our theatres, our artists will be performing to appreciative audiences once again.

Support QPAC here.

Amplifier/Magnet House - Perth Western Australia

Jeff Halley, Capitol Corp Bookings and Entertainment Manager

It has been a very frustrating time for the team at Amplifier and Capitol, as we were just about to open the all-new, fully renovated Capitol, now to be known as Magnet House.

We had several local, national and international live artists plus club DJs booked, brand new production and AV installation, an amazing looking new club/live venue ready to go and were counting the days until the launch. Then suddenly it was ‘Press Stop’ and all is on hold.   

The financial and logistical implications of this devastating crisis have been large. However, we are committed to getting through this and the team have been rallying around and supporting each other where possible. There have been plenty of shows now rescheduled and the new booking enquiries for both Amplifier and Magnet House, Perth have been coming in at a fast rate, which is a real positive looking to the future.

We have been buoyed by the many messages and public support for Amplifier. It has been a time where we can reflect on how important our venue and presenting regular live music and quality club nights are to the awesome Australian music landscape. Amplifier and Magnet House are ready and can’t wait to return.

Support Amplifier/Magnet House here.