Live music fans from across Australia unite to save beloved outback venue
Live music fans from across Australia and the world have banded together to raise the $1 million needed to save beloved Alice Springs venue The Black Wreath after the building's owner put it on the market.
A volunteer-run live music venue in Alice Springs, Australia, has inspired people from across the country and the world to unite in raising $1 million to save it. The Black Wreath, a popular spot for local gigs and a recording space for remote bands, faced closure when its landlord put the property up for sale. Founder Pirate launched a fundraising campaign on August 4 and reached the goal two days early before a weekend of coordinated gigs across the nation.
The community rallied behind the cause, with pledges ranging from merchandise to an entire festival. Pirate, who had previously avoided social media, posted daily updates to keep supporters informed. The fundraiser has sparked discussions about turning the entire property into a creative hub, benefiting local music and arts. South East Desert Metal, a band from Ltyentye Apurta/Santa Teresa, highlighted the venue's significance to their success, crediting The Black Wreath for helping them perform on prestigious stages like the Sydney Opera House.
The successful fundraiser has united a seemingly distant community, despite the band's remote location.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.