As if the Annandale Hotel hadn’t suffered enough indignities after Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne and local supporters of live music fought to uphold the Sydney pub’s legacy as a live music venue as it was put up for auction earlier this year, Police have confirmed that the venue was broken into and ransacked last night.
Thieves reportedly smashed their way into the Sydney live music venue last night just after midnight, making off with an as yet unknown quantity of alcohol and cash, with the mess and damage to the worse enough to force the venue to cancel scheduled gigs as police investigate into the break-in, as TheMusic points out.
Superstylin Entertainment promoter Lisa-Maree Bray says that the “entire place was thrashed,” leading to the cancellation of tomorrow’s night performance from electro-laced rockers Monks Of Mellonwah as result of the robbery, the band taking to their Facebook page to alert fans of the incident and the canned gig:
IMPORTANT NEWS! Tomorrow night’s gig at the Annandale has unfortunately been CANCELLED!
Last night, the venue was broken into and trashed by some douche bags… We are all devastated but what can you do.Please pass this news on onto anyone who was thinking of coming down. But we will see all your pretty faces at the Brewery on the 16th!
It’s unfortunately not the first time the venue has been burgled, with two youths ransacking the venue last September, only to be caught on CCTV footage that quickly went viral, leading to the two foolish robbers to turn themselves in as their faces and actions were plastered all over social media by supporters of the embattled venue.
Luckily, the Annandale finally received a rare bit of positive news in June when the new owners of the iconic Sydney venue sat down with previous proprietors, brothers Dan & Matt Rule, to reassert their commitment to live music and the musical heritage of the venue. Thieves reportedly smashed their way in… making off with an as yet unknown quantity of alcohol and cash
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,” added the Rules, noting that Music Booze and Stuff would be handling all 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.
