Festivals & Venues Update: August 10
SPLENDOUR, FALLS MAY GET 20-MONTH EXTENSION AT BYRON SITE
Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival may be allowed to stay on for a further 20 months at North Byron Parklands.
An assessment report by the Department of Planning and Environment concluded that the trial period for outdoor events of up to 35,000 patrons can be extended to August 2019. It said that promoters had complied with noise issues, and that any environmental impact would be negligible.
The report has been sent to the independent Planning Assessment Commission for a final decision.
Acting Executive Director for Key Sites and Industry Assessments, Mike Young, noted that of 600 submissions from the public, government agencies and community groups, ”more than 80% were in support of the proposal.”
A media release from the Dept cited an economic study for Falls in 2014.5 and Splendour in 2015 that, together, the two festivals contributed $100 million to the local economy and created nearly 200 full-time jobs.
An economic study for Falls Festival 2014/15 and Splendour in the Grass 2015 found that these two events contributed more than $100 million, created nearly 200 full-time jobs and took up 28,995 room nights in accommodation within the Byron local government area and 7,721 room nights in other areas of Northern NSW over a period of eight days
JUNGLE LOVE EXPANDS TO THREE DAYS
With a $10,000 funding support from Tourism and Events Queensland, the 4th Jungle Love Music and Arts (November 30 – December 2, Sunshine Coast) has expanded to being a three-day (BYO) event.
The first 25 acts announced are a mix of known acts (Hart, Koi Child, Willow Beats), rising names (Fight Ibis, Nice Biscuit, Karl S Williams, Kaiit) and imports (Z-Star Delta, UK) Weird Together, NZ) and Henge, UK)
This year sees five stages, more state of the art shade structures, the shipping container turned sound-proof nightclub Kunst Klub, sustainable architecture by Five Mile Radius and QUT students for the Jungle Boogie electronic stage and two bars built with materials sourced from within a five mile radius of the grounds.
CREAMFIELDS UNVEILS INTERNATIONAL ACTS
Creamfields’ drip-feeding its acts for its return this summer has Deadmau5 as headliner, with Dimitry Vegas & Like Mike, Don Diablo and Gareth Emerick as a fourth addition by Dance Nation Australia and Evolution Events.
SCHOOLBOY Q HEADLINING BEYOND THE VALLEY
Schoolboy Q returns after 12 months, this time to headline Warragul (Vic)’s 4th Beyond The Valley (December 28 – January 1). The full bill is set to be out next week.
REVAMP MOVES FOR THEBARTON THEATRE
Things are on the move for the Adelaide’s Thebarton Theatre to get a revamp. West Torrens Council has agreed to venue operator Weslo Holding ‘s request to fund a redevelopment plan before the heritage listed entertainment theatre’s centenary celebrations in 2028.
The plan will cost $137,000 and six months. It will be used to approach the South Australian and Federal Governments to cover costing.
The popular 2000-capacity venue hosts everything from gigs to boxing bouts to ballroom dancing.
Among music acts set to play there are Angus & Julia Stone in September, Alice Cooper in October, Tea Party in November and Rise Again in February’.
BALLARAT LOSING TWO VENUES
The dynamic music scene in Ballarat, in regional Victoria, looks like losing two venues, both announced within the same week.
Sutton’s House of Music has been unable to renegotiate a long term lease with its landlord, and is looking at the possibility of closing its doors at the end of October. Twenty full- and part-time staffers will lose their jobs.
Venue manager Dani Fry said that due to an internal structure of the business, a new lease had to be signed. There were some monthly rents that were missed, but all that has been sorted out.
But the landlord would only agree to a month-by-month lease, which makes it untenable.
Sutton’s has put on 594 gigs in the past three years, 233 were by Ballarat acts, 97 by local high school students, 32 community events and 42 theatrical.
The building was built in1892 by the Sutton family, first as a music store on the goldfields which became a chain. As it is not heritage listed, the fear is that its interior could be destroyed in the future, and a petition has started at https://www.change.org/p/ballarat-city-council-protect-the-interior-of-the-suttons-building.
In the meantime, Babushka Bar announced it plans to close down after almost six years, with farewell shows “over the next few months”. It’s had some financial issues in the past and previously ran crowd-funding campaigns to stay afloat.
MORE ACTS FOR THE MAROOCHY
The thirdMaroochy Music & Vis Arts (August 26) on the Sunshine Coast has expanded its line-up in the final run-up.
The second stage, The Love Suite, curated by Tim Fuchs and Lola DJs, has added 12 more DJs.
There are also two new visual artists to create installations in the New Maroochydore CBD site and Kerry Neil from the Kabi Kabi people for a ‘Welcome To Country’.
Meantime organisers say that after the early bird and milti-pass tickets sold out in record time, the third and final release of tickets are selling fast at www.mmvaf.com.
PICCADILLY THEATRE HEADING TO BECOME MUSIC VENUE
Eighteen months after being mooted by Perth promoter Mellen Events, the 79-year old Piccadilly Theatre looks like it’s going to be a music venue.
Empty for the past three years (reasons are asbestos, financial issues, owners’ illness), City of Perth has been considering a proposal to spend $1.7 million on a 10-year sponsorship deal with Mellen Events at the venue, starting in 2018/19.
In a bid to spark up activity in the inner city, the Council has offered reduced rates to building owners who reopen their under-used establishments.
It has unanimously voted to provide this “credit” to the Asia-based owners of Piccadilly Arcade.
They intend to come up with a $3.5 million plan to combine the three cinemas into a single 950-capacity space that can be used for concerts and stage plays, and be a centrepiece for the Perth Fringe.
SUBSONIC UNVEILS LOCAL ACTS
Subsonic (December 1—3, Riverwood Downs, Barrington Tops NSW) makes the point that while it might have international headliners, the “cherished locals truly form the backbone of the festival – they’re the soundtrack to your year.”
Over the next eight Tuesdays, it will drip-feed no less than 150 local heroes to the bill.
Leading this week’s announcement are Monika Ross who returned from several years in the UK where she released music through labels as Serialism and had her own radio show on Hoxton FM.
Party throwers Mantra Collective are joined by S*A*S*H gurus Matt Weir & Kerry Wallace, with their residents Jake Hough & Gabby, fresh from another European tour.
The others are Murat Kilic with Phil Smart, Tristan Case, Sydney’s Cause, Rabbit Taxi, and waving the Melbourne flag, Muska, AU Underground chief Dylan Griffin, Venda,
MSG, Marcotix, Gemma Van D, amháin, Coco, Ben Booth, Trena, Azza Huasca and The Franchi Brothers.
BALL PARK, THE ‘GURG, HEAD NYE ON THE HILL
Ball Park Music and Regurgitator lead the assault at NYE On The Hill (December 30—January 1, The Farm near Wonthaggi) to the 2500-capped attendees.
Others include Japanese Wallpaper, Gretta Ray, The Teskey Bros, Gold Class, Billy Davis & The Good Lords, West Thebarton, Maddy Jane, Fountaneer, Pow Negro, Angie McMahon and Press Club, among others.
SCARBOROUGH VENUE CLOSE TO SALE?
Administrators from insolvency firm McGrathNicol are are said to be close to the sale of Scarborough’s Matisse Beach Club. They have been speaking to a number of suitors since director Sean Reid called them in a month ago. The deal will include all fittings, lease and liquor licence.
The firm was given permission by the WA Supreme Court to delay a second creditor’s meeting until September 26 so it can finalise the sale.
Major creditors according to The West Australian include ANZ Bank ($4.8 million), Singapore-based landlords Far East Orchard ($2 million), Colliers International ($1.19 million), its security firm ($50,000) as well as a number of food and drinks suppliers and small family businesses.
MAJOR NAMES FOR INLAND SEA OF SOUND
Helping to draw the crowds to the boutique Inland Sea of Sound (November 3 & 4, Mt. Panorama, Bathurst) are Bernard Fanning, Meg Mac, Dan Sultan, Megan Washington and Mia Dyson.
The broad menu includes producers from Central NSW and gourmet indigenous fare prepared and served by local Wiradjuri members.
BACKLASH CLOSES WOLLONGONG OPEN MIC NIGHT
The Illawarra Mercury reported that a Facebook post by Bruno Coimbra of an open mic night he planned to run on Sundays at Wollongong’s Outback Jacks restaurant, caused such a backlash from the city’s musicians that the idea has been scrapped.
Musicians said the event was exploitive, damaging to its live music scene, and could discourage (even more) venues from paying them properly.
NORTH AMERICANS IN QUEENSCLIFF THIRD ARTIST DROP
The third artist announcement by Queenscliff Music (November 24—26) are the USA’s Gabriel Garzon-Montano, Ron Artis II & The Truth, Too Many Zooz and Travis Bowlin while representing Canada are The East Pointers, Irish Mythen and Lindi Ortega.
SPLASHING UP FOR HARBOURLIFE
Sydney outdoor rave Harbourlife (November 18, Mrs Macquaries Point) features Claptone, Daniel Avery, Jax Jones, Kidnap Kid, Late Nite Tuff Guy, Made In Paris and Set Mo.
AND A FEW OTHER THINGS…
The team behind Wonderland Warehouse Project and Hot Dub Wine Machine are introducing NYE In The Park in Sydney in Victoria Park, Camperdown.
Headlining the next community-event Peregian Originals (August 13, Peregian Beach Park, Sunshine Coast) are Burleigh Heads soul-funk-reggae outfit Hanlon Brothers with Andrea Kirwin, Billy Fox and Favourite Son.
Sydney’s Sweaty Palms (September 30) moves this year to Proud Mary’s in Erina with an Aussie-brewed bill topped by Illy, Cosmo’s Midnight and Skegss.
NT’s free Mahbilil Festival (August 26, Jabiru Lakeside Park) has packed program, not only of live acts around the Territory like Oka, Tijuana Cartel and Black Rock Band but also dance, circus and food.
Up for Best Regional Venue in the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association’s Drover Awards are the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre and Launceston’s Princess Theatre.
Adelaide’s Partridge House will host the inaugural Artisan on Partridge (August 12—13) as part of the SCALA festival to provide live music acts (including Porch Sessions bands), exhibitions, art classes and a Sunday market.
The rebranding of Noosa Long Weekend to Noosa Comes Alive has proven to be a huge success, says Festival Director Ian Mackellar. The opening Fire event drew 10,000 and 150 events and 250 artists over the next 10 days were more than in the event’s 16 year history.
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