ENCORE: HOW THE COAST GOT ITS GROOVE BACK
After years of radio silence, the city’s live music scene is back on song
PICTURE it: Palm Beach, 1993.
Dressed in a flannel shirt, complete with purple hair and purple nose ring, this writer snuck her underage self past security to watch her boyfriend’s cover band perform at the Playroom.
Joining the dozen-strong mosh pit – comprised solely of the band’s friends – before helping the boyfriend load his drums into the back of the Escort panel van post-show, I couldn’t imagine life getting any better.
Fortunately, we’ve both progressed to greater heights these days – the former boyfriend is now the drummer for Frenzal Rhomb and I’m, well, blonde.
But the Playroom? RIP. While so many things about this city are so much better now than in the 90s, I feel sorry that my children will never get to experience the disgustingly wonderful atmosphere that was the Playroom.
The graffitied and gross toilets, which were no doubt still cleaner than the mosh/ dance floor, the never-ending wait for a taxi to traverse into the deep south of Palmy … it was all worth it for the music.
Even outside the Playroom, there was The Patch in Coolangatta, the Rose and Crown in Surfers, the legendary Big Day Out festivals come summertime and a musical heritage that harks back to the Chevron Hotel in the 1950s and
While so many things about this city are so much better now than in the 90s, I feel sorry that my children will never get to experience the disgustingly wonderful atmosphere that was the Playroom.
Bombay Rock in its 1980s heyday.
In recent history, however, live music in paradise has been as desolate as the Playroom bathrooms the morning after the night before.
Until now. Suddenly, this city is on song.
In the space of seven days, we’ve scored a trifecta of high notes for the Coast’s music scene.
First there was Springtime, a new, free music festival in the heart of Surfers Paradise last weekend that boasted more than 20 bands and some of the hottest names around, including Gamilaraay pop queen Thelma Plum and oldschool legends Skunkhour and Sneaky Sound System.
Then there was the 2022 Gold Coast Music Awards, where homegrown heroes like Casey Barnes picked up awards alongside teen sensations like singersongwriter Sofia Isella, 17, and People’s Choice winner Lily Grace, 15.
And now this weekend our city plays host to KISS, with the rockers performing their last ever Australian show at Cbus Stadium on Saturday night.
If that’s not enough, don’t forget Guns’n’roses have their rescheduled gig at Metricon Stadium on November 24, followed by Harry Styles in February.
It may seem like we’ve won the live music lottery, but this is no happy accident. Instead, it’s all part of the plan.
The Music Action Plan. And yes, it’s putting this city on the live music MAP.
In the last four years, the City’s Music Action Plan has contributed $3.25 million towards the local industry, providing support to 20 live music venues, 40 music businesses and 47 musicians as well as promoting local live music globally.
Since its introduction, not only has the city seen the launch of events like the Springtime Festival, but also the creation of the Gold Coast Music Network. Founded by locals Amanda Gorman, Chloe Popa and Samantha Morris, the group has developed a program of networking and profiling opportunities for the local sector to grow the city’s live original music scene.
Even better, this spotlight on our music industry has helped expand live venues like Miami Marketta, Vinnies Dive Bar and Mo’s Desert Clubhouse.
It’s just a shame that the Playroom couldn’t survive to see this musical renaissance.
Still, it makes my heart sing to think that my children will be able to witness their very first gigs right here at home. Will they have purple hair and a nose ring? Maybe.
But two things I know: they will not be underage … and the bathrooms will still be gross.
It’s rock’n’roll, man.