Nambour business Big Audio to open new live music venue in 2022 in special entertainment precinct
The Sunshine Coast’s newest venues will be the place to catch some great live music, as one Nambour man plans on changing the ‘vibe’ of the region.
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Music lovers will soon be able to catch their favourite up and coming act in a new performance venue in Nambour.
Big Audio owner Phil Turvey is planning on opening the Coast’s newest live-music venue at his Bury St warehouse, which will include a large garden bar for acoustic performances and an indoor bar and entertainment area.
Mr Turvey said the venue, which would also offer healthy international cuisine options on its menu, was a chance to help boost the Nambour economy.
“We’re trying to create a bit of a vibe for Nambour to bounce back,” Mr Turvey said.
“Council has created a special entertainment precinct here to get night-life back, so we’re jumping on board with that and going in that direction to pick Nambour up again.”
Big Audio will be the first venue to open in Nambour under the Sunshine Coast Council’s designated Special Entertainment Precinct regulations which enables the business to be exempt from the amplified music noise requirements of the Queensland Government’s liquor licensing laws.
With the addition of the night-life precinct, Mr Turvey said there was a chance for businesses like his to breathe some life back into the town.
“Nambour needs a direction. We’re losing the council (building) to Maroochydore, we’ve lost the bulk of the hospital and the sugar mill has been gone for several years,” Mr Turvey said.
“Poor Nambour is the place that’s suffering but the council has put a live-music precinct in Nambour to create a vibrate night economy.
“We're working towards that and we’re hoping other venues will follow suit. We need an Ocean St in Currie and Bury streets.”
Mr Turvey said not only would his music venue provide a space for local artists to perform, he hoped it would also give music industry students hands-on experience.
“We’re looking at being a training facility for the young people who want to learn for the production side of the entertainment industry. We’ll have the facilities here to operate audio and light equipment, stage management and all sides of the industry.”
The new music venue has been given a financial boost with a $53,368 federal government grant, which will be used to pay for the renovations and 84 live acoustic lunchtime shows set to begin in early 2022.
“The stage is set for Nambour to amplify its reputation as a live-music and arts hub on the Sunshine Coast,” Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien said.
“It’s no secret that the past two years have been incredibly difficult for the live-music industry, but today’s announcement is another sign that the music is back.”
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