BRISBANE, AUS (CelebrityAccess) – The city of Brisbane is getting a new world-class live music venue.
The Fortitude Music Hall, which is set to launch in 2019, is being backed by key players in the Australian music scene including John ‘JC’ Collins (former member of Powderfinger/owner of Brisbane venue The Triffid), Paul Piticco (Co-Founder of Secret Sounds), Scott Hutchinson (Chairman of Queensland based Hutchinson Builders) and Live Nation.
Located in Brunswick Street Mall in the heart of Fortitude Valley, the 3,300 capacity venue will include a mixed retail and special events space and will be designed to pay homage to the iconic Brisbane venue Festival Hall, which was home to the city’s iconic live music venue between 1959 and 2003.
“It’s always been our dream and mission to build a venue that fills the void left by Festival Hall and we are proud of the vision we’ve created for The Fortitude Music Hall,” explained JC. “The masterplan is well and truly rolling out for a venue and space that will enhance the area and one that the community will enjoy and benefit from for many years to come. We are doing this for Brisbane!”
Paul Piticco, of Secret Sounds, added: “The support we’ve received from the Brisbane community and the music community nationally has been incredible. We are focused on delivering a very special space for artists, industry and fans alike. Over time, we hope The Fortitude Music Hall can become as iconic as Festival Hall was.”
The concept first started when Scott Hutchinson of Hutchinson Builders, Australia’s biggest private construction company, purchased a large commercial building in the heart of the Brunswick Street Mall. Hutchinson joined forces with Piticco and JC to realize the new venture. To ensure they could secure world-class talent and promotion for the new venue, the trio brought in Live Nation as a principal partner on the project.
Commenting on the partnership, JC said: “Live Nation own and operate some of the best live music venues in Australia and all over the world. From the Palais Theatre in Melbourne to the House of Blues venues across the United States and venues such as the iconic Brixton Academy in London, Live Nation’s experience is unparalleled. We felt incredibly inspired by the Philadelphia Fillmore, and not just due to its similar dimensions and size to the building we have here in Brunswick Street, but the way it honors the historic traditions for music halls and local musical heritage, which is our aim too.”
Roger Field, CEO of Live Nation Australasia added: “The Fortitude Music Hall is set to be an industry-leading venue not just in Brisbane, but in Australia. The 3,300 person capacity will fill a gap in the market and will ensure that Brisbane and the Valley continue to attract the highest caliber of performers while giving local audiences even more live experiences to enjoy.”
