Peking Duk announced as one of the farewell acts for beloved Uni Bar

Australian electronic duo Peking Duk will perform a farewell gig at the Uni Bar, the iconic watering hole at UTAS. And the bon voyage doesn’t stop there.

Brendan Self and Luke Schlenner of Vandemonian Touring announcing finals acts at Uni Bar Picture: Linda Higginson

In a move that is sure to evoke nostalgia for the latest generations of University of Tasmania students, Australian electronic duo Peking Duk will be one of the final acts to perform at the Uni Bar.

The Mercury reported the closure of the UTAS Sandy Bay campus institution on Monday, after licensee Brendan Self announced their lease was not being renewed at the end of the current financial year.

The decision closes the curtains on nearly 50 years of live music performances from acclaimed acts the likes of Public Enemy, Cold Chisel and the Divinyls.

Uni Bar at the Sandy Bay campus will be closing. Picture: Linda Higginson

Uni Bar at the Sandy Bay campus will be closing. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Self said the months ahead of its closure would be a time of celebration, with Peking Duk confirmed to return as one of a slew of farewell performances.

Rock group Old Mervs will also perform on the venue’s final trading night, June 28, with the full line-up to be revealed in the coming weeks.

“This is about being happy for the time we’ve had to be part of the Uni Bar,” Mr Self said from the venue on Tuesday.

“There’s not many purpose built venues for music in Tasmania so I think we should be grateful.”

With an enduring thirst for live entertainment from both punters and performers, Mr Self said his touring company, Vandemonian, were “always” looking at options for potential venue openings.

Peking Duk – Reuben Styles and Adam Hyde – will be playing one of Uni Bar’s final shows. Picture by Luke Marsden.

But as one of the latest in a string of closures nationwide, Mr Self said more investment into new and existing venues was needed to bolster the industry.

“If (UTAS) could have a live music space in the city that would be great for not just the students, but for the general public,” he said.

“You’ve got to remember that there’s a whole industry that’s built around the musician. It’s not just about the punters, but the lighting technicians, sound guys, security people, people that work behind the bar.

“There’s a host of employment and economic activity that occurs because of a gig and that’s why we want to sit down with the government and local council and see if we can try to fill the gaps.”

It was an emotional topic for Mr Self, a UTAS alumnus.

“I’d frequent the bar as often as I’d go to lectures,” he said.

“It’s brought so many people together.”