New live music venue set to revitalise Sydney’s Eastern suburbs
A new live music venue will be launched in Sydney’s entertainment quarter this year by the owners of craft beer and burgers favourite Mary’s.
From late October patrons will be able to enjoy the music venue, which is opposite the famed Hordern Pavilion in Sydney’s East.
Known as Liberty Hall, the venue will play host to international music acts and a 12oo strong audience.
The owners will also open a Mary’s burger restaurant next door, with a burger joint already in place to move into.
Over the past 10 years, the site has played host to a number of different ventures including The Forum, Hi-Fi and Max Watt’s
When its lease was up for renewal, Mary’s founders Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham began negotiations with Entertainment Quarter co-chief executive Michael Hodgson.
“There was a burger restaurant right next door and so it felt natural for us,” Graham said.
The idea is to create a “free and creative” space for domestic and international rock, hip-hop and electronic artists
“But we’re not going to be snobbish in terms of what we think is cool. We just want a stage and space for people to use and show off their art,” Graham said.
“We’re looking for the room to be a bit more chameleon-esque... It’s a black box, but by using lighting and moving rigging, putting stages in the middle of the room, we can transform the space.”
The Mary’s owners were looking for a new space after the Lansdowne Hotel building owners put up plans to turn the hotel into accommodation. However, the venue was salvaged by the Oxford Art Factory.
“Sydney doesn’t need to lose any more live music venues; it has suffered enough,” Oxford Art chief executive Mark Gerber said in a statement at the time.
Graham intends to revive the Eastern Sydney music scene which he says has never had a real identity.
“It’s always been a bit of an odd spot, it’s never fully found its identity or groove in terms of where it sits in Sydney’s cultural scene.”
Michael Rodrigues, the state’s 24-hour economy commissioner, said “This new venue will give a platform for creative talent from Sydney and beyond, whilst also helping to revitalise the Entertainment Quarter precinct.”
Irit Jackson, 19th July 2022
