Melbourne gets new pop-up live music & performing arts precinct

Image: Reunion Park

More entertainment precincts are being launched, or being proposed, along the East Coast.

Reunion Park, Melbourne

Melbourne gets a new outdoor pop-up precinct Reunion Park between March 4 and April 10.

Created and curated by Untitled Group and Velodrome Events, it will host live music, comedy, circus, day festivals, and food and drink offerings.

It is on the Burnley Circus site, 15 minutes from Melbourne CBD, and aided by the Federal Government’s RISE funding and City of Yarra.

Acts announced include King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Spacey Jane, Northlane, the Wolfmother-headlined UNCAGED festival, BENEE and L.A.B.

Chris Mitchell of Velodrome Events said it had been a long road.

“When we first conceptualised Reunion Park in 2020 we knew it would be a challenge, but did not anticipate nearly two years of lockdowns before it would become a reality or prove as crucial an event series for the Australian live entertainment industry,” he said.

Velodrome is behind the Red Bennies venue and soon-to-open Northcote Theatre, as well as Coburg Velodrome Events, Duke Street Block Party and Abbots Yard.

Untitled Group runs festivals Beyond The Valley, Pitch Music & Arts, Wildlands, Grapevine Gathering, For The Love and Ability Fest.

Pyrmont Peninsula, Sydney

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment reported it is ready to move ahead for Sydney’s Pyrmont Peninsula strategy.

The plan is to turn the area – covering Darling Island, Blackwattle Bay, Tumbalong Park and Ultimo – as a 24-hour cultural and entertainment destination as well as a centre of innovation.

Plans call for a new indoor sports and entertainment venue “similar to New York’s Madison Square Gardens”, and connected to museums, theatres, bars and cafes.

Its master plans were exhibited for public comment from November 26 to February 4, with feedback incorporated into the final plans.

MCG, Melbourne

A push spearheaded by former Collingwood FC president Eddie McGuire is for an entertainment precinct to be built up around the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

This comes as the State Government finishes a feasibility study for the Great Southern Stand to be redeveloped at an estimated $1 billion.

McGuire’s vision is for a roof to be put on the MCG, increase capacity from the current 100,024, and build the entertainment precinct around it and the Yarra Park precinct with bars, restaurants and shops.

He said: “Let’s use this precinct and turn it into something sensational. Not just the footy game itself.”

Barlow Park, Cairns

Enterprise North and the Northern Frontier Foundation have released a new plan on how to create a 20,000-seat rectangular stadium at Barlow Park in Cairns, and with it a sporting, cultural and entertainment precinct to draw tourists to the area as a first-stop before heading down south.

It would cost $100 million, and business leaders are calling for it as a once-in-a-lifetime to coincide with the Brisbane Olympics.

Wollongong Entertainment Centre

WIN Entertainment Centre

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully, has called for the NSW Government to get moving on the $50 million upgrade of the 6,000-seat WIN Entertainment Centre, and the sporting and entertainment precinct.

It was first discussed two years ago, Scully said.