A long-running live music venue situated in the heart of Brisbane’s entertainment distr ict has abruptly closed its doors following problems with local council.
The Tempo Hotel, located at 388 Brunswick Street in the bustling Fortitude Valley district of the Brisbane CBD, yesterday announced that it would be shutting imminently for renovations following issues of noise complaints.
A post from The Tempo’s management on Facebook revealed the news in a short statement that simply reads: “Due to restrictions on the amplified music permit imposed by council the hotel will be closed for renovation until resolution. Hope to be back soon.”
The Brisbane venue regularly hosts live music, with a main stage that can host a capacity of up to 750 people and a 5am license from Friday to Saturday. The venue is also a regular host of events for the annual BIGSOUND industry conference, which regularly transforms Fortitude Valley into a live music haven as part of BIGSOUND Live.
While The Tempo’s operators note that they are closing to accommodate soundproofing to prevent ongoing noise complaints, TheMusic reports that “a source lose to the hotel” has alleged that the closure is permanent, indicating that the Brisbane venue has entered into receivership. “Due to restrictions on the amplified music permit imposed by council the hotel will be closed for renovation until resolution.”
The venue currently has gigs booked as far as July, including shows featuring Sampology, King Of the North, Joelistics, Diafrix, and N’Fa Jones in May, and In Hearts Wake, Dream On Dreamer, Allday, and Jackie Onassis in June.
The Tempo’s closure follows just weeks after the news that the Fortitude Valley is getting another addition to its roster of live music venues in the form of The Brightside.
Described as a “multi-purpose venue, with a refurbished band room featuring a brand new sound rig,” the venue will actually take over the current site of the Electric Playground on Warner Street to “provide a home for alternative music fans in Brisbane,” in the words of its operators. Namely the team behind fellow Valley music hotspot Alhambra Lounge, Destroy All Lines and The Fans Group, who will swing the doors open on The Brightside on Thursday 1st May.
In related venue news, Melbourne is will officially lose the Palace Theatre at the end of May as state government confirm they cannot afford to rescue the venue, while fellow CBD operators await action on the promised government protection against noise complaints.
In Sydney, a raft of new venues are opening, while city council aims to revive the city’s ailing live music scene despite the government’s oppressive lockout and curfew laws and slugging venues with hefty new operating fines.
(Image: Chris Dornan. Source: Nat Col & The Kings @ The Tempo Hotel, Tone Deaf Gallery)
