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business4h ago
‘A kick in the bollocks for Australian music’: how band rooms and live venues became a dying breed
- Sydney’s Zen Studios closed after a long run, signaling a widening squeeze on rehearsal spaces.
- Rent hikes and the cost of living are cited as core causes for the decline of affordable rehearsal spaces.
- Bakehouse Studios in Melbourne diversified into a multi-function arts space to survive rent pressures.
- Industry groups warn that affordable, accessible rehearsal spaces are an ongoing national issue.
- COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated hardship for small and mid-sized venues across Australia.
- Smaller cities like Adelaide also report shifts away from traditional rock-dominated scenes.
- Some studios have managed to stay afloat by lowering prices and maintaining community focus.
- Live Performance Australia voices concern that venues under pressure could hurt Australia’s music ecosystem.
- The Guardian notes several iconic venues faced closure alongside rehearsal spaces amid the downturn.
- Overall, the piece frames the struggle as a fundamental threat to Australia’s live music culture.
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