‘Don’t Let What You Read Break Our Spirits’: Gasometer Director Responds to ‘Woke’ Controversy

The Gaso has played host to some of Australia’s biggest and burgeoning acts over the years including Jet, Mallrat, Paul Dempsey, and Kaiit. In recent years, it has been a hub for local up and coming artists and indie bands.

“To clear up some of the misinformation flying around:

Go woke go broke – Tom’s poor reading comprehension has resulted in an entirely fabricated controversy. In our bookings document we had text around being mindful of diversity when it comes to an overall lineup (meaning multiple artists that play over an event). Lineup does not mean the makeup of any one band. Of course we book all-male bands. We love music and we love their respective communities across all genres. It was a mission and not a rule, and our bookers are always there to support in the case where support is needed.

Regardless of this, as long as you can manage to not be a dickhead then you’re always welcome at The Gaso. Don’t let them distract you from the real reasons the industry is such a struggle. Greedy corporations and ineffective politicians from all sides.

Corporate profits keep going up at the most inappropriate of times. Instead of filthy rich individuals and companies paying their fair share of taxes to keep this country afloat they continue to screw us from the bottom up to pay their bills and further subsidise their interests. The cost of living is breaking us all, we don’t want our drinks costing that much either! Did you know that around 30-50% of the price of a drink goes straight to the government?

Here’s a quick list of the real reasons that venues are struggling to present solely live music or going out of business completely:

– Wages going up each year (as they should)Superannuation increases for the last few years:
– Rising costs of all utilities, suppliers and rent
– Increasing alcohol taxes twice a year
– Insurance costs going through the roof, absolute exploitation after their years of profits
– Liquor licensing going from $800/year to $9000/year for reasons that we’re unaware of
– Grants being offered and applied for but not received by many deserving venues
– Cost of living increases leaving nobody with the means to enjoy themselves anymore

Do you think venues really want to price themselves out of the market? It’s a challenge to simply cover the costs of keeping the doors open, I assure you that no venue owners at the moment are kicking back and playing with piles of money. They’re doing it for the love of the music and everyone who supports these gigs, which is what has brought us together for the last four years.
We also want to make it clear that this is all part of circle of life of being a venue. The show will go on, other vendors are keen to carry on our legacy and keep the dream alive, and continue to provide a space for all artists to perform.

We are proud to say that around 30% of our revenue has always gone to paying artists for their performances. We’ve supported them as they’ve supported us. This is as symbiotic relationship as you can get and we appreciate everyone who’s ever played this amazing venue and provided us all something to live for.

We will be going out without any debts – all staff, suppliers and superannuation have always been paid and we can hold our heads high knowing that we’ve done nothing but pour our hearts, money, blood, sweat and tears into providing a space for everyone to enjoy over the past 4 years. Please come show your support for everything we’ve done over the next few weeks while we sort out the next chapter. Don’t let what you read break our spirits!”