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‘Small, loud and a bit hot’: Brisbane venues where bands most love to play
Like thousands of Brisbane-born music fans, I saw my first gig at The Zoo in Fortitude Valley.
I was 18, nervous, and probably drunk off two drinks, but I remember the feeling of seeing a live performance of music usually confined to my iPod Nano.
Ballpark Music at The Zoo in Brisbane. After 32 years, the venue will host its last show on July 7.Credit: Sue Yek
That show was all it took for me to start scouring gig guides and blowing out the budget for festivals – like many who rely on music to fuel their existence.
Many of Brisbane’s music venues are struggling now, with The Zoo’s closure amplifying the stress and uncertainty, especially for smaller venues. But that makes it a good time for us to highlight the places local artists most love to play.
Brisbane rock band Girl and Girl cut their teeth in lead vocalist Kai James’ mum’s garage, before playing their first Brisbane show at Tomcat in the Valley.
“We’ve done a few there and a couple at Greaser,” James says. “[We also played] this little studio above a tyre shop in West End, that was really cool. But they were promptly shut down.”
For them, the most influential venue is The Junk Bar in Ashgrove. “They’ve been really supportive of us … they’re a 60-capacity room, so they’re tailored towards smaller bands.”
That size means they could sell out early on, an important experience for an up-and-coming band. And that’s why they had chosen The Junk Bar to host the party for their recently released debut album, Call A Doctor.
“When I moved to Brisbane, I was very quickly absorbed and accepted by a really fantastic group of really welcoming and free-thinking people,” James says.
“All your friends are in really f---ing great bands, and you can go and see them pretty much every night, every weekend at a different venue. It’s made me a very happy boy.”
Brisbane rock legend Mick Medew speaks with similar reverence of the scene that helped him find an audience.
The former lead vocalist of the Mesmerisers and lead vocalist and guitarist of the Screaming Tribesmen has been playing Brisbane venues since the ’80s.
“I probably toured for about 10 years straight,” Medew says. “Music was king in those days. There was a band in every pub and a pub on every corner, just about.”
Medew remembers playing at The Australian National Hotel (also known as the Aussie Nash), the Souths Leagues Club at Davies Park, The 279 Club on Edward Street and The New York Hotel in the Queen Street Mall.
More recently, he’s enjoyed playing at The Princess Theatre in Woolloongabba.
“I’ve always thought they should win some type of award for their green room. That was a real treat, playing there with the Sunnyboys.”
Nowadays Medew plays as duo Mick Medew and Ursula, Ursula being his wife. “We would play at The Zoo. I really love it there; it’s a shame it’s closing,” he says.
“We also played at The Triffid. It’s a beautiful venue, great sound. Everyone loves playing there … and [Woolloongabba’s] The Cave Inn.
Married musical duo Ursula and Mick Medew.Credit: Tracey Walker
“When you get older, it’s a bit harder getting around the Valley … I’ve always found venues [like The Cave Inn and The Bearded Lady] that aren’t in the thick of it very relaxing.”
The Bearded Lady is a favourite of many in West End’s tight art community. Kurilpa Reach bassist Pablo Burdell is among those who talk up its charms.
“It’s great to see live music there too, especially punk gigs,” they say. “It’s just the right energy … small and loud and a bit hot.”
Kurilpa Reach played their first gig at The Milk Factory, now It’s Still A Secret on Montague Road. In the years that followed, they became regular performers at The Zoo.
When they launched their album there in 2023, it was the biggest show they’d ever sold.
The seven-piece, who infuse dub and reggae with psychedelic and contemporary rock, also love Black Bear Lodge and Outpost in the Brunswick Street Mall.
“Black Bear has a tiny stage, especially with seven of us,” Burdell says. “But the energy in there is amazing.
“We played a gig there ... a couple of years ago, right before COVID hit. People were queuing up the whole mall to try and get in. It was a wild show with everyone piled in on each other. It was great.”
Burdell says smaller venues are a necessary stepping stone, “especially for bands that are just starting out and want to give it a red-hot crack”.
In a few days’ time, The Zoo will close its doors, wrapping up a 32-year legacy and an immeasurable contribution to Brisbane’s music scene. I’m sad to see it go, as many artists and music lovers will be. Let’s ensure the city’s other standout venues don’t suffer the same fate.