Final night at Bearded Lady. Photo credit: Luke Johnson (@luke.shots)

Words: Olive McCagh | Photos: by Luke Johnson

As West End’s ‘beloved’ venue The Bearded Lady is forced to shut, artists and industry figures say the Government needs to do more to help the struggling industry.

Venue owner, Jamie Simmonds, opened the venue in 2013 and over the last 12 years it has become a hub for local emerging and established artists.

It’s the latest venue to shut its doors in Brisbane, following The Zoo, Stranded Bar and Season Three Space over the past year.

South Brisbane’s It’s Still A Secret have also announced on their socials that they will close in August.

More than 1,300 live music venues have closed over Australia according to APRA AMCOS’s 2023-2024 report.

Simmonds said the support from Government is lacking, grants are sparce, limited and don’t address the real financial struggle his venue was facing.

“It’s nowhere near enough,” he said.

Simmonds stated the cost-of-living crisis had forced expenses up, making it hard to break even whilst keeping prices reasonable for punters.

The initiatives in place are yet to create sustainable solutions for these small businesses, and Simmonds sees them as face value.

“It’s just a slap in the face, showing how detached they are,” he said.

He is calling for long-term solutions, government subsidies and for the music industry, Arts and Hospitality industry to be treated as one item – an important part of Australia’s economy.

Only two months ago, the venue publicly announced their struggles asking for help, the response from the community was ‘overwhelming’ proving it was played an important role in Brisbane’s community for artists and punters alike.

Small venues like The Bearded Lady nurture local and emerging artists, without The Bearded Lady, West End lacks venues of its standard.

“It's gut wrenching to know that this energy isn't going to be here anymore.” Simmonds said.

The CEO of QMusic and BIGSOUND, Kris Stewart spoke on the numerous venue losses in Brisbane city and on Australia’s live music industry’s struggles.

Stewart outlined how innovation is required to find new ways to support and ingest money into the local music scene.

Looking at the United Kingdom’s ticket levy model which charges an extra dollar on tickets at venues over 10,000 capacities to invest in its own music industry.

“The artists need the venues, and the venues need the artists,” Kris Stewart said.

Frontwoman of West End’s own Full Flower Moon Band, Kate Dillon shared how The Bearded Lady played a significant role in nurturing their successful career and remains an iconic venue.

“It was more than a location; it was a recourse for the whole arts community.” Kate Dillon

The 2024 Winarch Group Australian Live Music Census found that only 6% of respondents feel as though there is sufficient live music venues, losing important small venues like The Bearded Lady is making it even harder for Australia’s music industry to grow.

Brisbane Says Goodbye To Another Venue as West End’s The Bearded Lady Closed Its Doors on Friday