Backstage passes: A look inside Adelaide’s huge new live music venue

It’s backed by some of the biggest names in the music business, and they all think it will revolutionise Adelaide’s live gig scene.

Inside Adelaide’s brand new Hindley Street Music Hall. Picture: Tom Huntley

John Collins hopes that someone in the crowd on the opening night of the Hindley Street Music Hall will be inspired to start a band and change their life.

The Powderfinger bassist turned live venue developer declared Adelaide’s newest live music locale open on Thursday, wrapping up more than 18 months of planning and construction.

Housed in the old HQ venue, HSMH is one of the biggest investments in the city’s music scene in many years and along with Collins sees investment from global giant Live Nation, Aussie concert promoters Secret Sounds and local outfit Five-Four Entertainment.

Hindley Street Music Hall’s huge stage. Picture: Tom Huntley

Hindley Street Music Hall. Picture: Tom Huntley

Hindley Street Music Hall. Picture: Tom Huntley

The 1800 capacity hall will, according to its owners, fill a gap in the market between The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel and the Thebarton Theatre, giving mid-sized acts somewhere to play in the heart of the city and providing up and coming local outfits with a stage to aspire to.

The $6 million refit has seen the building completely gutted and rebuilt, with a huge GA section, state of the art sound and lighting and mezzanine floors to ensure uninterrupted sightlines for punters.

“I hope someone comes tonight and leaves wanting to play here,” Collins, an investor in two simar projects in Brisbane, said.

“That’s what we want to bring to South Australia. People aspire to do what they see, and this will really help that.”

Powderfinger bassist and co-owner John Collins, Secret Sounds co-CEO Paul Piticci, Jackie Antas from Live Nation, Alex Karatassa from Five-Four Entertainment, venue manager Taryn Walton, and Five-Four’s Ross Osmond at the opening of Hindley Street Music Hall. Picture: Tom Huntley

It’s a sentiment backed by Secret Sounds co-CEO Paul Piticco, the man declared – along with business partner Jess Decrou – to be the second-most powerful force in Australian music behind the late Michael Gudinski in 2019.

“I love what the power of a performance, even the power of one song, can do to a person’s singular brain, their family, their community, their country and even the world,” Piticco said.

“All of things can change in a moment during a performance. I love that I work in a business where – if you’ll excuse the word – the product has that power.”

Hindley Street Music Hall. Picture: Tom Huntley

Hindley Street Music Hall. Picture: Tom Huntley

One of the venue’s backstage artist’s rooms. Picture: Tom Huntley

John Collins and Taryn Walton backstage at the Hindley Street Music Hall. Picture: Tom Huntley

Piticco said Secret Sounds had confidence in Adelaide as a market going forward, and investing in the HSMH was evidence of this.

“We’ve been looking for a venue in Adelaide for quite some time … but you have to wait for the right space to come along,” he said.

Collins said a lot of effort and attention had gone in to the venue’s backstage areas, which he thinks are at a global standard.

“I really believe in creating a great experience for the artists,” he said.

“I think if you create a great experience for the artists then they’ll put on a great performance and everyone goes home happy.

“But the best thing about tonight is that we’re not builders anymore, we’re not business people – we get to be music fans. That’s the most important thing, that’s what we’re here for at the end of the day. Watching the bands onstage is the real payday.”

Acts already booked to play HSMH include Vance Joy, US Rapper Freddie Gibbs, legendary punks Pennywise and 90s pop icons Hanson, along with key Australian acts Ziggy Alberts and The Chats.