First look: Brightside Brisbane reveals walk through video of major upgrade
A landmark Fortitude Valley venue has released images and a fly-through video of its biggest-ever upgrade as it punts on the 2032 Games reviving Brisbane’s live music scene. SEE THE IMAGES
Fortitude Valley live music landmark The Brightside Brisbane has revealed the first images and fly-through video of its biggest-ever upgrade as it punts on the 2032 Games reviving the city’s night-time economy.
It can now be revealed the makeover would include a retractable roof for all-weather shows, expected to be ready sometime in 2026.
The venue, which has hosted more than 350 events and shows since 2014, lodged a development application (DA) with Brisbane City Council a fortnight ago.
Nightlife Economy Commissioner and former Powderfinger bassist John “JC’’ Collins and peak industry body QMusic have thrown their support behind the plans for the Warner St venue.
“We’re transforming our outdoor stage and car park into an open-air performance powerhouse which includes a purpose-built outdoor stage equipped with top-tier L-Acoustics sound system for seamless, world-class shows,’’ operations director Noah Honeywill said.
“There will be a proper artist green room with toilet facilities and direct stage access for touring bands.
“There’s also an adaptable VIP/friends and family mezzanine for a special and flexible viewing experience plus a new bar, cold room and storage upgrades to boost service speed and comfort.’’
Mr Honeywill said phase two involved demolishing the rear of the building, replacing it with a new rooftop bar overlooking the outdoor stage.
“This transformation isn’t just physical, it’s our way of future-proofing The Brightside into a multidimensional, future-ready venue that can host rising local acts, touring bands and vibrant all-day festivals under the stars in the heart of Fortitude Valley,’’ he said.
The Brightside is a stone’s throw from Warner Ln where Fortitude Music Hall co-owner Scott Hutchinson has separate plans to create a new live music strip.
Mr Honeywill said venue owner the Happy Horseman was committed to developing local grassroots music.
“We hope to attract some of the same acts that had played The Bearded Lady to Blute’s and then Black Bear and then they can jump up to The Brightside,’’ operations director Noah Honeywill said.
“At the moment our outdoor area isn’t lockable and takes hours to set up.
“Currently the green room for artists is a tent next to the bin area.
“At the moment the cap (capacity) is essentially fixed at 500 because it’s not economical to do smaller shows, but this will mean we can do 200 or 300 cap shows.’’
The new area would be partly inside shipping containers dropped into the rear of the site, allowing a speedy construction that minimised impact on trade.
“It’s taken a while to get this far but we’re hoping to see something by the end of the year,’ he said.
Mr Collins said it was an exciting proposal.
“I’ve supported the application by The Brightside Brisbane because, not only will it create another 20 jobs, it will further widen the venues available for local artists to showcase their skills, while providing more entertainment options for patrons,’’ he said.
“As a musician, former performer and now a venue operator, I know just how hard it can be for both venues and performers to survive, let alone flourish in these tough times.
“The Brightside Brisbane has been operating for 11 years.
“As an independent and artist-focused venue it, just like every other live entertainment venue, has faced major economic challenges in the recent past.
“Allowing it to expand will help with the long-term viability of the venue.
“But importantly it will also create another space that will contribute to the city’s night life when the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games roll around.
“Brisbane has to be ready to put on a world-class show and venues like The Brightside Brisbane will contribute to that.’’
Mr Honeywill said small venues such as theirs still had not turned the corner on the affordability crisis which had ruined their business model.
They relied on alcohol sales as they could not make a profit on ticket revenue alone.
“We’re getting numbers through the door but spending per head is the lowest we’ve ever seen,’’ he said.
“That’s why we want to create a better space that people will want to hang out in.’’
QMusic CEO Kris Stewart said the bigger Brisbane venues were doing very well but the smaller ones continued to struggle, so it was welcome news that The Happy Horsemen was prepared to continue investing.
The Brightside is one of a handful of other local live venues owned by The Happy Horsemen, which bills itself as one of Australia’s “leading experiential entertainment companies’’.
It rescued O’Skulligans after the longtime Valley live venue was forced to close following a single noise complaint.
It also was in negotiations to take over West End’s The Bearded Lady after its owners made the shock announcement that they would close, although a deal did not go ahead in the end.
Other Happy Horsemen live venues included Black Bear Lodge and Blute’s.
