Australia raises $1 million to save concert venue — ABC News Australia
In the Australian city of Alice Springs, live music supporters raised $1 million to purchase the building of The Black Wreath concert venue, which its owner had put up for sale. The venue’s founders also plan to turn the entire property into a creative space.
As ABC News Australia reports, the fundraising campaign began on August 4. Its participants planned to reach the $1 million mark by September 13, but raised the amount two days earlier.
Support from the music community
Performers and music industry representatives joined the campaign, including the band Amyl and the Sniffers, which performed at the Blacken Open Air festival at The Black Wreath in 2022. Some donors agreed to match the contributions of other fundraising participants.
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The Black Wreath hosts local concerts and provides artists with space for recording and rehearsals. The venue’s founder, known as Pirate, called the amount raised an important achievement for the community. According to him, he worked on the campaign for 12 to 15 hours every day over the past month.
Purchase negotiations
Pirate noted that the amount raised is only the beginning of the process, as the team still has to negotiate with the building’s owners. As part of the campaign, participants were offered T-shirts, records, rings and hats, as well as the Blacken Open Air festival scheduled for April 30 next year.
The founder of The Black Wreath wants the venue to operate as a foundation, with the proceeds directed toward local music and art, tours by artists from Central Australia, and bringing performers to Alice Springs. Musicians from the band South East Desert Metal said that The Black Wreath helped them start their careers; the group later performed on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.
