Australia’s live music scene has seen some significant highs and significant lows in 2014 so far, and sadly today, we’re reporting three blows in the field of the latter.
The adored dinner and show team behind New South Wales’ famed Lizotte’s has unfortunately announced that two out of the three live music venues will close as of 2015, confirms The Music.
The venues of Kincumber, Central Coast and Dee Why, Sydney will close their curtains for the final time on Friday 24 April and Saturday 30 May respectively in 2015, unless sold before these times.
In an official statement on their Facebook, owners Brian and Jo Lizotte stated the reasoning behind closing two of their spaces, “With the loss of my Dad early this year, who was passionate about his music, it just brings home that it’s a gift to be doing something you are passionate about for a living but there needs to be a work/family balance.”
“This decision comes down to us finding that balance. In an effort to simplify life a little we made the decision to close the doors in Dee Why and Kincumber and continue to focus on the Newcastle venue.”
Heads held high, the post continues positively, “It’s not with a heavy-heart that either Jo or I have made this decision to simplify our lives, in fact, it’s extremely exciting for us to be embarking on the next chapter” before inviting any Lizotte loyals north in the future “we hope that some of you will join us up the highway for the occasional show after the closing date on the coast.”
We’re sorry to say it, but the bad news still continues for the live music lovers of New South Wales with the closure of Sydney’s ultra-cool performing space FBi Social, after the radio group hosts one final show on Saturday 1 November, as The Music Network reports.
Situated in Level 2 of Kings Cross Hotel, FBi Social was designed as a temporary pop-up stage for artists to do their thing, the radio crew now shifting focus to their brand-new digital radio station, FBi Click.
However, FBi Radio President Cassandra Wilkinson confirmed that live music would continue to emanate from Level 2 of Kings Cross Hotel, “Solotel have been the most fantastic partners and we share a commitment to fostering live music in this city. We’re so glad to see this beautiful intimate room stay open as a live music venue.”
This news definitely sucks, however we’re not at a complete loss, remember that we’ve recently seen Melbourne’s Shadow Electric band room power into full-time and the reopening of Brunswick’s Railway Hotel, in Sydney there has been the addition of The Roller Den, The Hub, and The Lewisham Hotel, while Brisbane has witnessed an explosion of great venues with The Brightside, Woolly Mammoth and ex-Powderfinger member’s stunning refurbished WW2 hanger, The Triffid.
