Another beloved live music venue is closing. Is Australia’s precarious rental market killing the vibe?
With Lazy Thinking in Sydney the latest venue to shut its doors, the once-vibrant grassroots music scene is becoming increasingly vulnerable Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Jim Flanagan has four days to hand his keys back to his landlord. Panels engulfed in grungy band posters, handmade plates that have served countless customers, a shelving unit housing a library of…
In Sydney, the popular not-for-profit music venue Lazy Thinking has announced its closure after being asked to vacate by its landlord. The venue, known for its grungy decor and vinyl collection, is the latest in a series of live music venues to shut down across Australia. Jim Flanagan, one of the venue's founders, warns that the issue is systemic and that the country's precarious rental market is killing the music scene.
Many live music venues in Australia are forced to rent their properties, often with landlords who are not interested in long-term leases or productive solutions. This lack of security for the venues leaves them vulnerable to political and economic changes, making it difficult for them to operate and plan. Dr. Sam Whiting, a venue expert at RMIT University, believes that owning the building in which the venue operates is crucial for long-term sustainability.
Spaces with longer leases and ownership are better equipped to forecast and plan, weather challenges and apply for grants. Venue operators are often caught between rising rents and disappearing income streams, particularly the loss of revenue from declining alcohol sales. As a result, many venues are forced to close, leaving the community with less variety and less continuity in their music scene.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian Australia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
