Despite the recent excitement of a game-changing live music venue opening in the north as well as an iconic oldie set to reopen its doors this winter, the following news is a massive beating for our nation’s live music scene.
Australia will see a total of three, that’s right three live music venues shut up shop at this year.
The first is a major shock is for the folk of Sydney, with the surprise closure of The Exchange Hotel. As inthemix point out, the entire Darlinghurst complex that has hosted the likes of Q BAR, Spectrum, Phoenix, I Wanna Ticket, Nevada Lounge and Vegas will close on Saturday 19 July.
Tone Deaf spoke to a staff member who explained that The Exchange had been sold and that the establishment’s future as a live music venue was uncertain.
Q BAR took to Facebook to detail the venue’s final days, “After 22 years of providing Sydney with an alternative to the norm, it has come time to say goodbye to the character filled space that holds a special place in more than one generation’s heart. It’s strange to think that when we opened our doors in 1993, many of our current clientele weren’t even born!”
Noting that they plan to host one helluva closure party, they continued, “Sunday July 19th will be the very last night at Q. We’ll be assembling a ramshackle posse of party chuckers from the years gone by to throw one hell of a final soiree, a drink or two will be had, and a tear or two shed as we dance for the very last time.”
Sadly it’s New South Wales that will see an additional two live music venues boarded up this year.
Tameeka Pty Ltd who run Port Macquarie home of live music, The Fig, has gone insolvent, apparently owing a staggering $1.26 million to 52 creditors, as the Industrial Strength reports.
It’s not only creditors, musicians and punters that are losing out, with staff said to have lost tens of thousands of dollars in wages and superannuation. In a bizarre twist, staff and customers found out about The Fig’s abrupt closure via a handwritten note that was stuck to the front door of the building stating that the venue was closed for repairs and would reopen the next day, however this never happened.
Finally, the future of The Good Companions in Tamworth is looking rather shaky after it’s owners, Glentress Investments Pty Ltd, have gone into voluntary administration, with noted debts of $600,000.
With one official closure date locked in alongside some major debt for the two other live music venues, New South Wales and Australia at large looks to lose three spaces for performing artists sadly some time this year.
