The Brag Media to open new music venue in Marrickville

The Brag Media is set to open a new live music venue in Sydney’s inner-western suburbs.

As detailed in a report by Commercial Real Estate, the publishing company has recently purchased a corner building located in Marrickville, with plans to convert the property into a 150-300 capacity venue, office space and, potentially, a recording studio.

The vacant 1,150-square-metre property, formerly a supermaket and pharmacy, was sold at auction for $7.67 million, approximately $2 million beyond its reserve price.

Luke Girgis, The Brag Media’s chief executive officer, told TMN that Marrickville – a cool, inner-west Sydney suburb with a strong grassroots music community – is the perfect home for The Brag Media and its ambitions.

“The Brag Media has aimed to build a company at the centre of music, entertainment and culture,” Girgis said. “This new venue will further extend our reach and support to fans, brands, but especially artists, as we have a new home for events, content and community.”

Girgis also revealed that the publisher is aiming to pay artists up to three times more than they’d usually earn at similar venues, which is slated to open next year.

“It’s an innovative business model that means we’ll be able to afford to treat our artists like our clients and our customers as our friends,” Girgis told Commercial Real Estate.

“It will also provide the ultimate afterparty jam venue for international touring artists.”

The Brag Media, which publishes titles such as Rolling Stone Australia, Tone Deaf and The Industry Observer, has experienced a rapid period of expansion over the past 12 months.

In March, the media company signed a deal with Penske Media Corporation to exclusively represent 14 of its titles in Australia and New Zealand, including Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, IndieWire and Vibe.

And last week, the publisher announced its expansion to New Zealand and the redesign of Tone Deaf, The Industry Observer and thebrag.com, as well as doubling down on its email newsletter platform The Brag Observer.

The Brag Media has been approached for comment regarding its plans for the Marrickville property.