Popular Melbourne Live Music Venue Closing

Popular Melbourne live music venue Jimmy Hornet is closing its doors.

Anthea Palmer opened the intimate space two months before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Nobody could have expected the trials and tribulations the music industry would face for over two years. The venue, only a short tram ride or brisk walk from Melbourne's Corner Hotel, seats 30 guests per event.

It's hosted a multitude of folk, jazz, and blues acts; most notably the sold-out Ziggy Stardust 50th Anniversary performed by the David Bowie tribute band, The Thin White Ukes, rocker Nat Allison, and MBAS (Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society) Women 'N' Blues.

The doors aren't closing yet, though. Jimmy Hornet will remain open until Friday, 23 December, with rockin' and rollin' shows continuing on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights until that final December evening. 

With each closure that followed Melbourne's lockdowns, Jimmy Hornet was the last to close and first to open back up. Palmer shared a statement: "I will be very proud to have traded through a fairly tortuous three years. The size of the space is restrictive as a venue, and this is exacerbated by the soaring insurance cost for live music performance spaces." 

This closure isn't the end of her live music dreams. Palmer is already searching for larger venues for a possible venue relaunch next year or in 2024. 

Philip Island native Mark Howard and guitarist Shelby Lim will perform rock and pop songs from Howard's debut album, Passing Strangers, released this year, at Jimmy Hornet tonight. The commanding jazz singer Nadira And Friends is taking the stage tomorrow night with Nick Haywood on double bass and guitarist James Sherlock, and the powerhouse Sons Of The Blues will perform on Saturday.