SPOTLIGHT: How South-East-Queensland DIY Venues are Breaking Barriers for Accessibility and Diversity
SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT
☆ BY OLIVE MCCAGH ☆
Special Features by Aysha Swanson
ACCESSIBILITY IS CRUCIAL IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC, and it’s an area where South-East Queensland is lacking. The city of the Gold Coast has a shortage of live-music venues impacting their scene, and Brisbane despite its evolving industry, limits its events from underage audiences.
These communities have created unique shows and venues in an attempt to transform this narrative. Developing platforms for up-and-coming local bands and emerging touring artists, ensuring diversity is intertwined into their lineups. Promoting accessibility and community whilst supporting growth and experience in the industry for their local musicians and young people.
Gold Coast, Queensland is the 6th most populated urban area in Australia and has the greatest population of a non-capital city. Yet, there is an absence of music venues and events of access to audiences.
Photo By Need2Freak
‘The Yard’ or ‘The Dome’ as deemed by Need2Freak’s Wongo, is located in the heart of Burleigh’s industrial area. Although this property is predominately used for the owner’s storage equipment, Sam’s commercial business “Shore Plumbing & Drainage”, it has transformed into so much more. The Yard has hosted an array of events since its first live music gig in 2019, Californian band Guttermouth selected Sam’s business as the winning venue for their “backyard event” competition. Alongside their support acts, Wolfpack (VIC) and Radolescent (QLD), these established bands inspired the new use of the industrial space.
In 2021, the Yard hosted an all-ages drug and alcohol-free mini-festival: “The Yard Party”, showcasing up-and-coming underage Gold Coast artists. Since 2021, the popular rave festival Need2Freak has hosted shows consistently at the Yard.
Sam has applied for liquor licencing yet due to the property’s zoning as “High Impact Industrial” he was unable to obtain a permanent liquor licence. The neighbouring business Mo’s Desert Clubhouse operates as a full-time live music venue, despite its 500-metre distance, its “Industrial” zoning allows them to set up permanently.
"We investigated all avenues of getting the premises rezoned…It became apparent it was near impossible to get this approved as a permanent venue." - Sam Kruger
"It’s a special place”- Matt Wongo
The Yard Party by Bill Prendergast
The Need2Freak raves are directed by esteemed DJs Wongo and Little Fritter, their lineups showcasing local and international acts such as Franck (UK), Pegassi (Belgium), Club Angel (NSW), and Chunky (UK). Every event of theirs hosted at the Yard has sold out, with up to 1300 tickets.
Despite its zoning as a “High Impact Industrial Area”, and distance from domestic residencies there have been noise complaints about these events to local police stations, council, and Facebook locals’ pages, triggering visits from the police, and liquor licensing.
Photo By Need2Freak
These complaints resulted in restrictions from council, determining how future events could operate legally on Sam’s property. The Yard is now only able to host approximately 4 shows per year, with a list of requirements to be met and agreed upon prior to each event. Need2Freak has been able to acquire temporary liquor licencing for their shows thus far. Matt ‘Wongo’ shared how it “can take up to 6 months to get the hoops jumped”, whereas other venues can take down to a week to organise.
"With this capacity it can still be viable for a popular artist or band to play at, as well as up and comers" - Sam Kruger
Brisbane City is home to many iconic venues, yet there is a struggle in the support of their local music scene, despite its strength in community. Venues and events are limiting access to audiences, these restrictions have birthed community establishments Season Three Space and Antidismal who are generating events to nourish the scene and the city.
Season Three is a community space in Fortitude Valley run by Nick Smethurst and James Walker. It has been operating as a live music “venue” since December 2023, originally planning to host a show every quarter, it now averages three events a week.
"This isn't a venue. It's a community space. We run this for community. We run it at a loss." - Nick Smethurst
The space prioritises accessibility, inclusivity, diversity, and affordability. Allowing patrons of all ages to see these events by hosting dry shows. Their not-for-profit business model allows for the cheapest tickets possible, only compensating the sound engineer. The bands who play here face a cheap hire fee, creating an alternative to the other venues which operate in Brisbane.
"This is a labour of love. I do it to keep going." - Nick Smethurst
Miss Mardy, by Sebastian Harman
Season Three’s mission is to support and empower the local scene – both artists and audiences. Creating a space where everyone is accepted and safe, within their booking policies they include a diversity agreement, ensuring the events at their property reinforce their morals, and pressure diversity to be at the forefront of minds when curating lineups.
With a capacity of 100 patrons, Season Three is similar size to other Brisbane venues such as Junkbar and The Bearded Lady. The stage has hosted many established artists since its opening: Wednesday (US), Jess Ribeiro (NSW), Leah Senior (VIC), Jack Davies (WA), and JB Paterson (QLD). The venue also nurtures the growth of emerging local artists Blue Diner, Special Features, Miss Mardy, and Arugula.
"[It] has been incredible to watch a scene form." -Nick Smethurst
Alongside spaces like Season Three, Antidismal is creating the sought-after platforms for diversity and inclusivity in Brisbane city. 17-year-old Ixara established this event promotion company and record label in 2022, curating lineups since then with local and national artists. These all-ages shows have included artists like The Belair Lip Bombs, Ixaras herself, and Dust, highlighting how consequential it is for all people to be able to attend live music – for themselves, the artists, and the success of Brisbane’s music industry.
"[I’m] able create the space for these kids, and they're able to express themselves"- Ixaras
The intimacy of the spaces these artists are playing in offers a unique energy between artists and audiences, allowing them to engage with and reach young listeners for the first time.
“These are potential fan bases for life.” - Ixaras
Accessibility is often overlooked in the music scene, these venues, events, and community spaces realise the demand for the inclusivity and presence of live music in South-East Queensland. Demonstrating how they nourish and nurture young and regional audiences while creating pathways into the industry for local musicians. Community allows for powerful and diverse lineups and a rare sense of intimacy and understanding between audience and artist.
