Max Watt’s Brisbane Is Shutting Down
The Brisbane outlet of Max Watt’s House of Music has announced its closing its doors at the end of October after nearing two-and-a-half years of operation in Brisbane’s West End precinct.
Officially, the final gig to be held at the venue is the Dillinger Escape Plan on 22 October. Last night’s Napalm Death show was unaffected while the upcoming performances from Brujeria, Lockup and Black Rheno will also go ahead as planned. The venue had bookings up until March of next year including Northlane, Thursday and more who will now have to find an alternative venue in Brisbane.
Max Watt’s assures that its other two music venue branches in Sydney and Melbourne will remain where they are and still continue to flourish in the south-east music market. They’ve pinned the venue’s closure to, among other reasons, to a high competition in a small market.
“Although this has been a very difficult decision, Max Watt’s has acted to strengthen the integrity and sound operations of the Melbourne and Sydney venues. Brisbane is a smaller market with aggressive competition and higher costs,” said Max Watt’s in an official statement.
Opening in 2009 under the name of the Hi-Fi, the venue played host to some incredible acts such as Kendrick Lamar in 2012, Dinosaur Jr the next year and Price’s secret after-party also in 2012.
See below for the full, official statement from Max Watt’s:
Max Watt’s has announced their decision to close the Brisbane venue following the Dillinger gig on October 22nd. Regretfully Max Watt’s were unable to reach ongoing terms with the landlord making it unfeasible to continue to invest in the venue.
Booker, Jesse Barbera, has worked closely with promoters and agents of forward bookings and will continue to support all bookings and holds into venues with appropriate capacities without any need to change dates.
Oztix will advise ticket holders in this smooth process of change. Max Watt’s will ensure that any other ticketing agencies provide the same service to their customers
Although this has been a very difficult decision, Max Watt’s has acted to strengthen the integrity and sound operations of the Melbourne and Sydney venues. Brisbane is a smaller market with aggressive competition and higher costs. Max Watt’s is redirecting focus to invest in the success of iconic Melbourne and progressive Sydney Max Watt’s venues. This decision will enhance rather than risk the security of Melbourne and Sydney.