Melbourne Live Venues

[oaksy]

After reading todays article in the Hit mag, just wondering if anyone thought we will have a shortage of decent rock venues for the next couple of years. Are there others that the article didn't mention? I didnt see the HiFI bar mentioned once. Also what are everyones favourites or does anyone have any ideas for any new ones?

Just thought i would start a thread for people to discuss the topic.

 

[w00dy]

it will be hard for new venues to get off the ground, although we've seen the northcote social club and that venue in brunswick pop up recently... but we've lost so many more venues than we've gained over the last 10 years...

but we still have enough i think... bigger acts play the forum, hifi bar, corner hotel, the prince, gershwin room, and did play the palace... smaller local bands play venues like the espy front bar, ding dong lounge, arthouse, northcote social club... don't think we could afford to loose too many more though...

 

[Roddy]

it will be hard for new venues to get off the ground, although we've seen the northcote social club and that venue in brunswick pop up recently... but we've lost so many more venues than we've gained over the last 10 years...

but we still have enough i think... bigger acts play the forum, hifi bar, corner hotel, the prince, gershwin room, and did play the palace... smaller local bands play venues like the espy front bar, ding dong lounge, arthouse, northcote social club... don't think we could afford to loose too many more though...

Your 2nd paragraph is very optimistic, so kudos for that. I agree, to a point. But it is symptomatic of what is happening: a very slow, but sure and insidious erosion of live music, art and culture by big business and an ageing population. If we had a crystal ball, I'd be willing to bet everything I own that there would be few to no live music venues around whatsoever in 100 years (IF we're still around at all, that is!), and the world will be very much like the one that Rush predicted in the 2112 album, ie. where all art/music/etc is heavily government controlled, and everything looks and sounds alike. Individualism heavily discouraged. Entertainment bland. You can see the signs of this already, with the venue situation, and every time you turn on the Telly, radio, mainstream music shows etc.
Very very sad

 

[SpRiGgZy]

i'm not that worried about venues as yet.
i don't think i'll start to worry so much until a band possibly skips melbourne because of the lack of venue option. when and if that ever happens.
i personally love the hifi bar. usually creates a good atmosphere down there.
the only really bigger venues we have for a band that would pull in maybe a thousand or more people is festival hall, billboards on russell street i know holds a thousand, i could see that getting much more use now.
for smaller local bands my favourite venue hands down is the corner hotel. love it there. don't know why. most people see it as a shithole, but hmmmm. i just always have a good time when there.
anyway i think we will be fine for now venue wise, im not worried. it does suck that its getting torn down but there isn't much else we can do to stop it...

 

[Roddy]

Even the relative indifference to this thread is indicative of where things are going. People would rather stay home these days and watch absolute shyte like Idol than go support a local band. Or if they do go watch live music, it'll only be to see Robbie Williams or some other crap. There's still a core of committed gig goers out there, but their numbers are dwindling slowly but surely, and will continue to do so as we lose venues....

 

[Constipated Duck]

The Palace was great for the bigger metal gigs that can get the 1500-odd through the door. Can't remember any gigs there that didn't sound great, and the view and facilities from all points were pretty good.

Hi-Fi Bar is ok, but a bit small for the better supported bands, and the acoustics are a bit hit and miss sometimes, and the Espy is ok as well. I think the Hi-Fi will now become the premier location for metal gigs due to its central location, not forgetting that it's a lot easier for the huge metal crowd in the west & north, than heading to St.Kilda.

 

[Mr Sensitive]

I really love the HiFi. I've been to a load of great gigs there in the last few years... The Bronx, Parkway Drive, Prom Queen, No Use For a Name off the top of my head... Top venue for sure. Though it's going to be hard to imagine a Melbourne live music scene without the Palace.
I like the Arthouse too. It's bloody tiny, but it's great for up and coming acts to cut their teeth.

I think Roddy's crystal ball prediction is a bit bloody alarmist and extreme. Yeah, rampant commericalism and consumerism is a sad fact of life these days, but I like to think that as long there are kids who want to play music the way that want to play it, then there'll always be people who'll want to hear it. Or maybe I'm just an idealistic, young punk?

 

[bubblegoose]

I think Roddy's crystal ball prediction is a bit bloody alarmist and extreme. Yeah, rampant commericalism and consumerism is a sad fact of life these days, but I like to think that as long there are kids who want to play music the way that want to play it, then there'll always be people who'll want to hear it. Or maybe I'm just an idealistic, young punk?

I don't get out much anymore because of the 2 young kids. When I do, I get to into town to Hi-Fi, Prince of Wales, Festival Hall & this Friday heading to Ruby's in Belgrave.

It's been very sad to see the near death of live music because of the dreaded pokies and computer music. It's a shame that the best you might hope for, if you head to a pub is someone playing to a backing tape with the constant 'ding,ding,ding,ding' in the behind them.

If we had more rock venues, i'd definitely get out to them more.

 

[Roddy]

I really love the HiFi. I've been to a load of great gigs there in the last few years... The Bronx, Parkway Drive, Prom Queen, No Use For a Name off the top of my head... Top venue for sure. Though it's going to be hard to imagine a Melbourne live music scene without the Palace.
I like the Arthouse too. It's bloody tiny, but it's great for up and coming acts to cut their teeth.

I think Roddy's crystal ball prediction is a bit bloody alarmist and extreme. Yeah, rampant commericalism and consumerism is a sad fact of life these days, but I like to think that as long there are kids who want to play music the way that want to play it, then there'll always be people who'll want to hear it. Or maybe I'm just an idealistic, young punk?

Take it from a bloke who's played in and around this town in original bands for almost 2 decades. Live music is fighting a slowly losing battle against the things mentioned (venue closure, ageing population, big business taking over everything), PLUS Mr BG has made 2 new very valid points: pokeys and doof-doof. 2 very important factors as well.
I've seen it go from a spectacular and vibrant scene with almost an overload of great venues, to a scene where we seem to lose at least 2-3 good venues per year, and less and less people filling the ones that manage to survive....

 

[bradrowe#32]

It's been a while since I lived in Melbourne, but there were some pretty good venues:

* Punters Club (Loved this place - RIP)
* The Tote (dirty, but had some great times)
* The Evenlyn (love this venue)
* The Espy (really like this one, you could just wander around with a beer and have a listen to the bands on all the different stages)
* The Athaneum Theatre (saw Augie March here and loved atmosphere; more band should play there)
* Prince of Wales (good room)
* Hi Fi Bar (had many a good night here, but Brad Pearce - the booking agent - still owes me $250!!)

 

[Vulture_72]

it will be hard for new venues to get off the ground, although we've seen the northcote social club and that venue in brunswick pop up recently... but we've lost so many more venues than we've gained over the last 10 years...

quote]
That will be the East Brunswick Club on Lygon Street. Great venue that holds about 250-300 opened up the start of last year. HiFi is my favourite but i do love the Northcotte Social Club for smaller shows.

 

[Northern Exposure]

Used to love going to "Hell Club" at the Hifi back in the early 90's. Was packed every friday night until ee's and doof doof came along. Saw some awesome bands and had many very messy nights. Good times! Awesome playing there too except for those bloody stairs to load in and out.

 

[Optimax]

The Green room. Kinda like walking into a blokes basement with a bar, not bad but is very heavy music most of the time, and i reckon you can all understand what green stands for in the name.

May of closed home not quite sure.

 

[BATTERY]

Switch in hawthorn on Saturday
If you love your Heavy Metal or Punk Rock.

 

[Portmanteau]

My contribution to the thread is this:

My mate's band Poly&theStatics are playing at the Evelyn Hotel on the 14th and the Espy on the 16th. Check them out. Nice little indie rock band from Adelaide getting solid airplay on the Js.

 

[Roddy]

The Green room. Kinda like walking into a blokes basement with a bar, not bad but is very heavy music most of the time, and i reckon you can all understand what green stands for in the name.

May of closed home not quite sure.

Hey, guess what! It HAS closed!


What a surprise.

That makes: Palace, Green Room, Duke of Windsor, Punters Club, Sarah Sands, Great Brittain, Spanish Club.........

(can anyone add to this alarming and growing list?)

The term 'dropping like flies' springs to mind....