This week's announcement that Sydney's historic The Basement will close following 45 years of operation has prompted venue owners to call for the city to better support live music.
The Basement's closure marks another victim in the city's lockouts zone. Few venues still exist in the precinct such as Metro Theatre, Frankie's Pizza, Oxford Art Factory and Brighton Up Bar, among others.
As News Corp reports, Hudson Ballroom co-owner, Clark Mak, said he would "put money" on small live music venues ceasing to exist in Sydney's CBD if the trend is too continue.
"I don’t think there is a single live music venue that isn’t struggling," Mak said.
"Sydney audiences needs to get behind more live music and live acts."
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'Enough Already': Sydney To Lose Another Iconic Live Music Venue
Hudson Ballroom has reportedly made no profit since opening in 2015, while Oxford Art Factory has suffered a 40% drop in revenue since lockout laws were introduced in February 2014.
Brighton Up Bar licensee Mark Haines called The Basement's closure "another victim of the lockout laws" and slammed the controversial legislation.
"There is death going on all around in terms of culture — the lockout laws will have a far reaching affect on Sydney," Haines told News Corp.
"The fact is that it's unbelievable and unfathomable that the government would ignore the warning signs that are coming on a daily basis."
He continued, "It’s one thing for people to sit back and rue the loss of live music — we only have ourselves to blame if we’re not getting out there and supporting live gigs."
