Five music venues closed, closing or moving

The Australian live music industry has returned in 2018 to find that five venues
have closed, or are closing, or forced to move over the recent holidays.

* Black Malabar in Newcastle hosted its final show last night (January 7). Owner Zac Perrington said that $30,000 worth of modifications demanded by Newcastle City Council for it to continue as a music venue were too expensive.

Perrington took over the venue last July, when it was the world, folk and jazz showcasing Unorthodox Church Of Groove. He had worked there as a sound technician.

But he realised that it only had approval as a function centre, and applied for a new liquor licence and Development Application.

Localcouncilrequired changes, however, including soundproofing a wall, renovating the kitchen and installing disabled toilets, and more information on safety and parking.

Perrington said that the owners of the venue, Suzie Darling and Paul Carruthers, who started the Unorthodox Church Of Groove in 2013, would take back control of the Tudor Street building.

Some events and performances are planned there but no details have been announced yet.

* One of Melbourne’s best venue Ding Dong Lounge in the CDB goes dark on January 13 after 15 years in operation.

Its publican Bill Walsh told TMN that venues in the CBD are being affected by the image problems it faced, including late night violence and the homeless, and many punters prefer to go to the newer clubs in their own inner city neighbourhoods.

“I’m proud of the venue and what we were able to achieve in helping to create an important part of the Melbourne music fabric.”

Walsh, former member of Cosmic Psychos, said the club had always tried something different, and was embraced by punters and the live music industry.

* The Yo Yo Train music club in Wollongong is set to announce a new venue in the next few weeks.

“We’re in final talks with two venues, and we’re looking at it being a long term relationship,” co-owner Adam Dawson told TMN.

The Yo Yo Train, which launched last winter to support bands and fans of original live music,– and includes recording and mentorship – was abruptly terminated last month from the Unanderra Hotel.

The split came after a belligerent patron refused to pay the $10 door charge, and a punch-up ensued with Dawson after he tried to reason with him and explain that the door charge was to go to the band.

The hotel management, though, felt that Dawson should have followed protocol and called for the hotel management, rather than sort it out himself even if it was in self-defence.

* The Phoenix in Canberra is to launch a fund raiser to stay alive.

Until four years ago, it was one of the city’s best performing venues, expanding its operations to a second space next door and doubling its revenue.

But according to publican Netti Vonthethoff, things changed in 2014, first with a fire through the building it occupied and caused by a restaurant, and then a storm a year later.

Apparently the original venue was not insured by the owner.

The Phoenix maintains that although the original venue was unusable, property manager, LJ Hooker Commercial Canberra continued to charge rent.

Last November, it reportedly sent the club a letter demanding over $200,000.

LJ Hooker has not yet responded to the club’s claims.

Last week after the club revealed on Facebook of its “uncertain” future, punters showed their solidarity by packing out the place over the next few days,

On Facebook, the club stated, “Since the fire we have lost between 4 & 5 million dollars in trade.”

* Brisbane’s Alfred & Constance is in receivership as a result of action by the ATO and NAB having owner Damian Griffiths’ various companies wound up.

However the club, in the Fortitude Valley precinct, didn’t advice punters of the closure, which it says could be temporary as receivers want the clubs trading again.

Fifteen of them turned up on New Year’s Eve for a show they’d bought tickets for, to find it shuttered. They took to its Facebook to demand an explanation and also refunds.

In a statement toFairfax Media, the venue blamed the marketing and ticketing service MyGuestlist, saying it should have communicated the closure to ticket holders and handled the refunds.