EXCLUSIVE: Booker Leaves Sydney’s The Mac As Brewery Heads North

Nathan Farrell has resigned from Sydney's The Mac – part of Sydney's The Macquarie Hotel – after nine years of managing the entertainment at the venue.

In a statement issued to theMusic.com.au today, Farrell said that the direction of the new owners – who will revert the name back to The Mac from the Sydney Brewhouse – was one “I would not like to be a part of.”

He said, “After almost a decade being involved with the music at The Mac my tenure has come to an end. New owners took over the hotel this month and, while I was hopeful that things would continue with the same appreciation for the quality music we have always worked with, it has become apparent that their vision for music at the venue is not the same as my own.

“So rather than see things move forward in a way I would not like to be a part of, I've decided to pull out of the venue, cancelling all future performances from the end of April onwards. April will be the last month of music that I programme at the Mac.”

Acts such as Watussi, The Hi-Tops Brass Band, Bird Fire Allstars and regulars Superheavyweights and Gang Of Brothers are booked in for April.

He added, “I have no ill feelings towards the hotel or new owners but I know the long term and open minded view you need to keep a venue like this thriving. I can walk away now knowing what has been achieved at the hotel since 2004 was a great thing.”

In the past nine years Farrell has developed The Mac, but also the briefly-lived intimate room Ravál in the building's second floor. It attracted performers such as Missy Higgins, Angus & Julia Stone and Matt Corby as well as industry events.

“I believe The Mac (despite its name changes) occupied an integral part of the live music scene in Sydney,” he said. “It was a haven for acts and fans that didn't fit into the rock venue format that was popular in Sydney at the time. It literally burst into the public domain, at a pace that was as equally surprising for myself and the old owners. From there, its free entry format allowed us to take more risks with programming and really focus on building an audience for the venue itself.

“We developed residency nights, initially for Sydney legend the late Jackie Orszaczky, who also happened to perform his last ever show at The Mac. This format was so hugely popular that it defined our programming style for years to come. It wasn't unusual to see massive ensembles taking on a month of dates at The Mac to delighted audiences including 17 piece swing bands and eight-piece afrobeat bands squeezing on to the stage to play to a packed room.

“From there we could almost guarantee an appreciative audience which made it the perfect location for breaking interstate acts. Many secret international drop in sets followed from the likes of New Orleans legend Jon Cleary, seminal fusion pioneers The Headhunters and Cuban percussion ambassador Pedrito Martinez to name but a few. I've worked with some amazing artists throughout that time, many who have become friends and some who completely changed the course of my life like my dear friend the late Jackie Orszaczky.”

According to a source in the Hunter Valley, The Sydney Brewhouse brewery in the venue's basement will relocate to the New South Wales wine region where its owner has other business interests. A selection of the Sydney Brewhouse beers are available on tap at the Crown Plaza hotel in Hunter Valley, with the full range likely to be added in the near future.

Music may continue at The Mac, but it is likely to be in a different format. Farrell also expressed a desire to start a similar “casual live entertainment experience” in the future.