Second Brisbane live music venue in two weeks warns of closure amid tough times

Less than two weeks after the shock closure of Fortitude Valley’s The Zoo another owner of two inner-city live venues has warned the end is near.

Live music venue It's Still a Secret in South Brisbane. Picture: Supplied.

The owner of South Brisbane’s It’s Still a Secret and sister venue Can You Keep a Secret in Woolloongabba has turned to crowdfunding for help to survive, less than two weeks after the shock closure of The Zoo.

The news came as Premier Steven Miles considers appointing a dedicated night-time commissioner tasked with revitalising Brisbane’s 24-hour economy.

Industry leaders say the sector is being strangled by regulations, particularly wanding, as well as the affordability crisis, inflation and the impact of streaming on live music attendances.

Owner and operator of It’s Still a Secret and Can You Keep a Secret, Emily Dennis, has created a GoFundMe page to help secure the venues’ survival.

She also called for government action to support the industry.

“There’s only a handful of us in the city dedicated to showcasing original music in venues of this scale across the city,” Ms Dennis said.

Can You Keep a Secret faces closure unless revenue or funding support lifts. Picture: Supplied.

“It’s like a punch to the gut. The reality is grim.

“It’s not about raising funds for me for a wage or anything like that, it’s about raising funds for the community so we don’t lose original live music”.

Ms Dennis called for her supporters and patrons to urge politicians to boost financial aid and relief measures for struggling live venues.

“The lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with the rising cost of living have led to a decline in attendance, early ticket sales and an increase in event cancellations,” she said.

“Additionally, we’re confronted with increasing financial strain from soaring operational expenses, heightened costs of supply, rent and inflated insurance premiums.

“We’re not alone in this struggle. Over one-third of small to medium-sized Australian live music venues have shut permanently in the past three years and we are teetering on the brink of becoming another heartbreaking statistic.’’

The Bearded Lady in West End. Picture: Jacob Morrison.

Owner of landmark West End venue The Bearded Lady, Jamie Simmonds, said it was not just live music venues facing the pinch, but the entire hospitality industry.

“It’s probably the worst it’s ever been. Every week we’ve got cafes, restaurants, bars and live music venues shutting down,” Mr Simmonds said.

“It’s not just live music, but live music does have the profile.

“The closure of The Zoo just goes to show that it doesn’t matter how iconic you are, there’s very little support for small business”.

Mr Simmonds said they have had to close the The Bearded Lady’s kitchen.

“A lot of places are like us are just taking things week by week,” he said.

“We’re between chefs at the moment, but there’s not a chance we can even think about putting on a chef right now.

“The cost of living is insane right now. People haven’t got enough money to buy a ticket, but they want to go out, catch up with their friends and family, have a nice dinner or see a show.

“The way things are going, we’re all struggling to stay afloat.”

Mr Simmonds blamed the ever soaring operating costs as being the biggest nail in the coffin for the hospitality industry.

“Rent is a massive, massive part of the operating costs. It’s the biggest cost of mine,” he said.

“Alcohol taxes are going up. I don’t know why the government put up alcohol taxes for. I have no idea.

“It make absolutely no sense right now to turn around and say we’re going to make alcohol more expensive now.

“Insurance and taxes are massive expenses we need to overcome.

“The places where people want to go and see live music are labelled red zones so that pushes the insurance premiums way up”.

Live music venue Can You Keep a Secret in Woolloongabba. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Simmonds said he was sceptical about what a night-life commissioner could actually do but welcomed the news that former Powderfinger bassist John (J.C.) Collins was reportedly being considered.

“I love J.C., he’s awesome. I was worried about a ‘suit’ getting the role, because there’s no way they’ll want to come to an intimate punk rock venue in West End,” Mr Simmonds said.

“But if it’s J.C. and they actually get this across the line, I’ll back it 100 per cent.

“He’s the perfect guy the role”.

Ms Dennis agreed, saying “there couldn’t be anyone better’’.

“But it might be tough because there’s so much to consider,” she said.

“John Collins would be amazing. I think anyone that has worked in the industry as an artist knows what it’s like.

“What does it mean to have a night-life commissioner?

“About 10-years-ago when I first started Can You Keep a Secret, the government had this initiative to offer start-up support for anyone looking to set up a small boutique bar because Brisbane had no night-life.

“The way things are, we’re headed back that way.

“There’ll be nothing, no culture and nowhere for the arts.

“It’ll just be pubs in a second if we don’t support original acts and live music venues now”.

You can show your support for live music and the hospitality industry by supporting Ms Dennis’ GoFundMe.