News From Downunder 9/14

Melbas Owner Wound Up?

Rynah, the firm that runs Surfers Paradise nightclub Melbas on the Park, will know its fate shortly.

Administrators Gavin Morton and Gerry Collins of PKF recommended its closure.

It has stated assets of $21.7 million and debts of $30.8 million.

 

Short Notes

Neil Young is booked for three shows January 21-28 for Lees & West – fueling speculation he will headline their Big Day Out during the same month.

Michael Coppel Presents has Rihanna and Chris Brown together for five arena dates October 31 to November 11, and Katy Perry with two theatre shows October 10 and 13.

Scorpion Entertainment and Custom-Made Touring teamed up for Tegan and Sara’s club shows January 8-11, in between three festival appearances. Final Fantasy has four dates in December for Billions Australia, and The Holy Fuck is set to make its first visit the same month for Mistletoe.

Martha Wainwright is booked downunder for Michael Chugg Entertainment and Gaynor Crawford has seven theatre stops November 12-19.

Swedish thrash act The Haunted has four dates November 8-13. Synth-fanatics The Faint has three club shows late September.

Frontier Touring confirmed Lady GaGa’s first Oz visit for late September.

Veteran hard rock band The Angels’ songwriting team of John Brewster, Doc Neeson and Rick Brewster were honoured at The Australian Songwriters Association’s 28th awards night in Sydney.

Melbourne-based booking agency Destroy All Lines added three acts: Brisbane’s hardcore act Against and pop duo Ellington, as well as New Zealand’s Antagonist.

Tim Manton, who looks after Operator Please and Van She, has added Brisbane hard rock band The Butterfly Effect to his roster.

Despite some complaints about the quality of this year’s bill, promoter Fuzzy’s Harbourlife dance event in Sydney sold out in six minutes.

After seven years of bringing acts from Trinidad, South America, Cuba, Israel and Tunisia, radio broadcaster Jaslyn Hall is promoting her last tour in October. It is with U.S.-based David Murray Black Saint Quartet.

Matt Forrester, owner of Melbourne’s 11-A nightclub, suffered internal injuries and fractured legs after having to jump from a third-story window when a patron attacked him with scissors.

After a three-month investigation, three Gold Coast bouncers will face charges in the murder of 21-year-old construction worker Terii Tararo at the Fisherman’s Wharf Tavern in May.

Dutch violinist Andre Rieu’s Andre Rieu Productions is investigating Sydney-based Red Circle Tickets, which is selling his $279 premium tickets at $695 each. Rieu, has sold 2 million CDs and DVDs in this territory since 2005.

New Zealand

 

Straitjacket Fits Inducted

Globally acclaimed Straitjacket Fits will be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

The act, formed in 1986, was distributed in the U.S. and Europe through Rough Trade and Arista.

The band’s albums including Melt and Blow inspired a whole generation of NZ bands. It split up in 1994 and reformed briefly in 2005 for a NZ tour.

 

MMF does tour

The Music Managers Forum New Zealand held forums for young managers in three cities September 7-11.

Speakers included the U.K.’s Peter Jenner (Billy Bragg), Barry Blackler from Big Day Out; one-time London-based director of international marketing for Virgin Music Group Lorraine Barry, who is now based in NZ managing acts; Neil Cox, who tours bands and promotes Southern Amp festival; and former Virgin marketing exec Teresa Patterson, now a partner in CRS Management.