LN Announces GM For Melbourne Palais

Live Nation Australia, which takes over the 30-year lease of the Palais Theatre in Melbourne, Australia in April 2017, announced Mark Graham as general manager.

He has been chief executive for the horse industry’s Bairnsdale Racing Club for the past 10 years, and event operations manager for the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust before that. The Trust manages Rod Laver ArenaHisense Arena, Margaret Court Arena, AAMI Park, the Westpac Centre and the Melbourne Park Function Centre.

During the next six months Graham will be in Doha helping to set up events at two new stadiums managed by Live Nation. Under the incumbent Palais Theatre Management, the venue was in May 2016 awarded a $20 million grant from Victoria’s state government for upgrades and repairs. Port Phillip Council, which owns the building, provided an extra $1.1 million. Work is expected to be completed by the time Live Nation takes over.

The venue, in the bayside creative suburb of St. Kilda, opened in 1927 and attracts 250,000 patrons a year. Upcoming artists include Pentatonix, TLC/Montell Jordan, Joe Bonamassa, Scorpions, The Dandy Warhols and AAMI Park. Under the deal struck with Live Nation, Port Phillip Council can book the Palais for community purposes for eight days a year at a cost of $1. Live Nation will pay $875,000 rent to the council each year.