The strict curfew and lockout laws that swept over Sydney at a gunshot pace last month have truly begun tightening their grip on the city’s live music scene.
First enforced on 24th February, Sydney-siders have experienced a drastic change in their nightlife within the ‘Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct’. Included in this precinct are some 143 pubs, clubs and hotels that classify as live music venues, to which patrons must now submit to 1:30am lockouts and 3am last drinks – with the overall arch of 10pm bottleshop closures across the entire state.
Australia’s largest city is in dire need of some positive live music venue news, and thankfully, there are two new live music venues opening in the harbour city. Want to know the best bit? They both lay outside the red tape reach of said ‘Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct’.
The first venue on the menu is The Roller Den. Situated at the basement of Erskineville’s Imperial Hotel, The Roller Den swung open its cellar doors for the first time on 7th March. The live music venue promises of a 550-capacity bandroom as it yearns to satisfy Sydney’s demand for a medium-sized venue.
The Roller Den has already confirmed an entirely eclectic mix of performing arts in the upcoming months, including the likes of the rockin’ sisters of Stonefield, psych-garage favourites King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, as well as themed events such as Japan Music Festival, the hip-hop based Knowledge, and gothic Fiend Fest. The best bit? They both lay outside the red tape reach of said ‘Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct’.
But wait, there’s more. A mere four train stations away, in fact.
The Lewisham Hotel, is set in the inner-west suburbs of Sydney and is equipped with a 215-person capacity bandroom. The hotel bestows a rich history as a rocking live music venue. Music bookings are now being taken care of the Rhythm Section Management team, whom have high hopes of breathing some fresh air into The Lewisham Hotel and it’s live music scene.
To kick-off the new undertakings of The Lewisham Hotel’s music endeavours, they’re hosting a party aptly entitled “The Rock and Roll Re-Launch Party”, locked-in for Saturday 5th of April.
Sticking to its Sydney-pride roots, local bands Front End Loader, Chase The Sun, The Morrisons, as well as regional NSW The Lazys are set to perform for the coveted opener. Moving forward, new musical management intends to lean towards booking rock, blues and roots and reggae acts for the venue.
Unfortunately, Sydney has already experienced the detrimental effects of the new lockout legislature, causing venue owners to cut costs through staff due to financial losses among other concerns from venue operators.
Efforts have been made to boot the restrictive reforms, with the formation of Sydney Late Night Culture Alliance, where music bodies like MusicNSW, community radio FBi, venues GoodGod Small Club and Oxford Art Factory, and 33 other local music organisations are working toward their mission statement to ‘Keep Sydney Open!’.
Whether or not the Alliance will arraign much success remains to be seen, but at least Sydney-siders have great excitement (and admittedly, a touch of anxiety) to look forward to over two new live music platforms for local artists to call home.
