The news owners of iconic Sydney music venue The Annandale have sat down and spoken with previous owners the Dan & Matt Rule to reassert their commitment to live music and the musical heritage of the venue.
The Rule Brothers took to Facebook today to assure fans of the Annandale that The Oscars Group, who bought the venue after it went into receivership in February, would be continuing to host live music with a similar approach to entertainment.
“After a recent meeting with the new owners of The Annandale, The Oscars Group, we are very happy to announce that they wish to keep live music in place!” the Rule brothers wrote on Facebook. “Oscars are very eager to continue with the same music strategy and are looking forward to the shows that are booked from when they take over in August.”
“The receivers, Ferrier Hodgson, have assured us that ALL shows will continue til the handover on July 31. Music Booze and Stuff will be handling all the booking so please email [email protected] for any future bookings.”
“We encourage all agents and bookers to continue to put as many great shows at the Annandale as they can. Although we haven’t been around much we are very much looking forward to working with the new owners to keep the Annandale iconic and one of Australia’s most recognised rock’n’roll institutions!”
Oscars Group purchase of the live music icon ended the ongoing and sad financial saga that has dogged The Annandale for years.
Receivers Ferrier Hodgson had been seeking buyers since it was put up for public sale last month by Knight Frank Real Estate as an “iconic entertainment pub” in a “growth area”. Former owners Matt and Dan Rule were forced into a nasty eight year long legal battle with Leichhardt Municipal Council over late-night trading and noise complaints, and spiralling legal costs “in excess of 200K” according to Matt Rule in a fiery tirade, eventually saw them handing the keys over to receivers amongst enormous debts.
Fans, musicians, and politicians alike banded together to save the music venue, with Mayor Byrne spearheading a campaign to incrase live music within the municipality.
“Saving the Annandale, Sydney’s most iconic live music venue, is a mighty victory for music lovers across Sydney,” said Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne earlier this month. The Mayor had placed pressure on receivers Ferrier Hodgson to ensure the venue fell into the hands of those looking to continue its legacy as a central part of Sydney’s live music scene. “I am proud that we have fought to keep the doors of the Annandale hotel open and we have prevailed.”
Byrne added that the news vindicated his and his council constituent’s ongoing campaign to end the prosecution of live music venues in the area, and would ensure they could move ahead with plans to create a live entertainment precinct along Parrammatta Road, with the Annandale forming the geographical crux.
Both Mayor Byrne’s Leichhardt council and the bordering Marrickville council have unanimously passed resolutions supporting the foundation and development of a live music precinct that runs along Parramatta Road, from Petersham to Sydney University, with Annandale forming the crux of the cultural hub.
