HOTA search for Playroom, Patch, Fisho’s live music memorabilia for new Gold Coast venues exhibition

HOTA wants music fans to dig up their souvenirs and stories from rocking nights out at Gold Coast venues such as The Playroom and Fisho’s for new exhibition Let there be rock!

A CRANKING new exhibition will give rock music-loving locals the chance to share their treasured souvenirs from the Gold Coast’s live music heyday with the public.

Named after AC/DC’s 1977 album, the Let there be rock! exhibition will explore three decades of live music venues on the Gold Coast when it opens at HOTA in December.

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HOTA wants locals to dig through their memorabilia, trawl through the stash of boxes in their garage and unearth rock souvenirs and stories from nights out at the Coast’s famed live music venues.

Crowds at The Patch, at Coolangatta, in the 1980s. The venue hosted shows by everyone from Cold Chisel to Iggy Pop and Cheap Trick. Picture: Supplied.

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From 1970 to 1999, the Coast hosted some of the world’s best live music acts in what were widely regarded by both fans and performers as some of the greatest venues on the Australian scene.

Venues such as The Playroom, Bombay Rock, The Patch, Jet Club and Fisherman’s Wharf hosted everyone from the The Ramones, Cold Chisel, INXS and The Go-Betweens to Nirvana and The Violent Femmes and scores of homegrown bands.

Jeffrey Hoad in Kings of the Sun at the Pink Elephant Bar, which later became the Titanium Bar and then Helm Bar, in Surfers Paradise.

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Gallery at HOTA director Tracy Cooper-Lavery said treasured souvenirs from locals who lived and breathed the era would help bring the exhibition to life.

“We’ve already acquired the iconic sign from The Playroom that stood for many years as a beacon for musos and fans and it will form a key piece in the exhibition,” she said.

“Additional pieces are essential to illustrating the breadth of fandom and the impact this era had on our community psyche and also our current music scene.”

Former Playroom owner Archie Cox in front of the venue’s famous sign — the first item secured for HOTA’s upcoming gallery exhibition Let there be rock! Picture: Supplied.

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Ms Cooper-Lavery said the display would incorporate photographs, playlists, posters, tickets and instruments.

“There is enormous passion for our music scene and we want to tap into that,” she said.

The Playroom at Tallebudgera. Picture: Supplied.

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“It could be a T-shirt signed by Kurt Cobain or Dave Grohl from the Nirvana performance at Fisho’s, an autographed coaster from The Playroom signed by Michael Hutchence or maybe there’s someone out there who was at the AC/DC concert at Miami High and has held on to souvenir merchandise or a poster from that event?”

Memorabilia submissions are open until July 13. Let there be rock! at HOTA runs from December 8 to February 17, 2019.