This weekend will be a turbulent one for Melbourne’s live music scene as a long-standing inner-city venue becomes the latest to close its doors while another flings open its own a swish-looking renovated bandroom.

First the bad news, the Rochester Castle Hotel in Fitzroy has folded following an ongoing financial dispute between with the pub’s landlord and the current operators which has seen a number of gigs cancelled and relocated as the leaseholder reportedly files for bankruptcy.

A senior staff member at the Johnson Street venue, best known for its 100-plus capacity bandroom and indie rock night Black Night Crash, tells The Age that the landlord has taken back possession of the property over unpaid rent.

“He wants the building back, from what I hear they are trying to develop the site,” one of the some-20 staff members affected tells the Fairfax paper, concerned that the owner has rejected a proposal from new leaseholders in favour of a property redevelopment.

Another staff member responsible for the Rochy’s music events said they only first became aware of the issue after arriving at the venue one week recently to find the locks had been changed, telling The Age “within the last 48 hours the situation has deteriorated… It’s a real shame, it looks like the Rochy is going to be finished as we know it.” While Melbourne looks set to permanently lose the Rochy from the live music roster, Collingwood’s much-loved Gasometer Hotel is officially relaunching…

The Rochester’s closure follows on from other live music venues in the Yarra City area shutting their doors late last year, including the abrupt end to The Empress in Fitzroy North and Collingwood’s Barley Corn Hotel set to be transformed into accommodation, a more “sustainable financial option” according to owners.

While Melbourne looks set to permanently lose the Rochy from the live music roster, Collingwood’s much-loved Gasometer Hotel is officially relaunching this Saturday 24th May as Smith Street’s newest must-attend live music destination.

Though it looked doomed by surmounting debts last November, operators noting it was “closed and will remain closed”, the Gaso was rescued in March by new operators Clinton Fisher (of the Retreat Hotel), and Daniel Caneva and Shan Venderwert (of the Post Office Hotel), who vowed to restore the venue with upgrades to its 350-capacity bandroom and constructing a new entrance with a feature mezzanine and retractable roof.

New photos of the Gaso’s interior, taken from the venue’s Facebook page, shows the trio have made good on their promise with a killer new fit-out and a sliding roof that allows for open-air gigs.

“The [managers] really want it to be a music venue,” newly appointed live music booker Chas Jagger tells Beat in an interview about the new-look Gasometer; “…and to just complement what’s already happening on Smith Street – Yah Yah’s and the Grace Darling. We’re in a perfect spot.”

Jagger, who also looks after bands like Twin Beasts, Darren Middleton, and Little Stevies as part of Melbourne’s Bright Light Agency, also says the freshly installed sound system will help draw top-tier bands to the hotel. “We had [Bluebottle Kiss spin-off] Infinity Broke in there recently and they came out saying that it sounded awesome,” Jagger tells Beat of the front-of-house speaker and sub set-up with 32-channel mixing console.

The next set of bands to test the sound system will be Tex Perkins’ new band The Ape, La Bastard, and Elizabeth Barker who will be christening the venue’s live music return for an official opening party this Saturday 24th May, with the official invitation stating “May the Collingwood Draught flow and the music make the bluestone rattle!” Hear, hear.

View more photos of the Gaso’s new interior below and head to the official website for more info on their tasty-looking food menu and all upcoming shows.





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