The Fortitude Music Hall is the new music venue set for Fortitude Valley
IT WAS intended to fill the void left by the iconic Festival Hall, and Brisbane’s latest and greatest live music venue is rapidly taking shape.
Confidential
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IN A WEEK when all eyes are on Brisbane for BIGSOUND, Australia’s biggest music conference, some of the industry’s biggest players will today unveil new details about the Fortitude Valley venue set to be a game-changer for the city’s live music scene.
The Courier-Mail can reveal the 3300-capacity venue under construction in the Brunswick Street Mall in Fortitude Valley will be called the Fortitude Music Hall.
Former Powderfinger bassist and owner of Brisbane venue The Triffid, John “J.C.” Collins, Secret Sounds co-founder Paul Piticco and Hutchinson Builders chairman Scott Hutchinson have joined forces with Live Nation, the world’s leading live entertainment company, to launch the world-class music venue.
Fortitude Music Hall, which will include a mixed retail and special events space, will feature modern, state-of-the-art production while also paying homage to the iconic Brisbane venue Festival Hall, which stood on the corner of Albert and Charlotte streets in Brisbane’s CBD from 1959-2003, before it was demolished to construct residential apartments.
The Fortitude will occupy the former Optus Centre building in the mall.
“It’s always been our dream and mission to build a venue that fills the void left by Festival Hall, and we are proud of the vision we’ve created for the Fortitude Music Hall,” Collins said.
Later today, executives will take industry stakeholders on a tour of the rapidly progressing construction site.
Award-winning Queensland architect, Andrew Gutteridge from Arkhefield, has designed the front facade to provide a modern twist on art deco style, which Collins said was reminiscent of Brisbane’s classic theatres.
“I feel Brisbane sort of took all the theatres out in the ’80s,” Collins said.
“They work – people like going to theatre-style venues, and that was the intention, to build a modern take on the theatre. “
Collins said he was pleased to have global entertainment company Live Nation on board for the venue, pointing out Mr Piticco and his Secret Sounds partner Jessica Ducrou had a pre-existing relationship with the company through their partnership in the Splendour in the Grass and Falls music festivals.
“I think it’s a great thing, it means obviously we’ve got a good idea,” Collins said.
“It’s had to go to (Live Nation chief executive) Michael Rapino for approval, and he loves the venue.
“As far as international touring companies, you don’t get much bigger, and it’s much better to have them on side than to be competing with them.”
Live Nation Australasia chief executive Roger Field said Fortitude Music Hall was set to be an industry-leading venue not just in Brisbane, but in Australia.
“The 3300-person capacity will fill a gap in the market, and will ensure that Brisbane and the Valley continue to attract the highest calibre of performers, while giving local audiences even more live experiences to enjoy,” Mr Field said.
Collins said he and his parters were hoping to open by next June.
“Probably by mid-October the builder will give an indication of when he’s comfortable for us to start booking and planning for opening, but at this stage we’re probably looking at early June,” he said.
Collins said he already had his sights set on a few bands he would like to see play at the venue’s opening.
“I’d like something with a Queensland base, if I could,” he said.
“There are a few bands that would fit that bill, you know, Violent Soho, Ball Park Music.
“I just can’t wait to see an act play in there and see how it feels.
“We’re definitely targeting a few Brisbane acts around the opening, so we’ll see what happens.”
Mr Piticco said the support he and his partners had received from the Brisbane community and the wider Australian live music scene had been “incredible”.
“We are focused on delivering a very special space for artists, industry and fans alike and over time, we hope the Fortitude Music Hall can become as iconic as Festival Hall was,” Mr Piticco said.
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