Fortitude Valley live music venue The Brightside is giving Brisbane bands a little breathing room by opening free daytime rehearsal slots for artists at its Warner Street venue.
The Brightside is offering three free three-hour sessions each week, with no hire fee attached. It is a practical move at a time when grassroots artists are being hit from every side.
Rehearsal rooms, rent, fuel, gear and the basic cost of keeping a band moving are all harder to absorb than they were a few years ago. For emerging bands, even getting everyone in the same room can become another expense.
A practical win for bands
The Brightside says the offer is a way of giving something back to the Brisbane music community after 12 years in the city’s live scene.
Acts can rehearse on stage or on the floor, with the venue providing the space, a vocal mic, vocal monitors, a house drum kit without cymbals, stage lighting and access to the room. Bands need to bring their own instruments, leads, pedals, cymbals and any extra equipment required for their setup.
The venue has made it clear the offer runs on an honesty system, with musicians asked to clean up after themselves, respect the space and report any damage. No alcohol can be brought on site or consumed during rehearsals.
Small room, bigger impact
It might sound like a small gesture, but for local bands trying to write, rehearse and tighten a live set without adding another bill, it could be the difference between pushing ahead or putting things on hold.
Because before a band gets to the stage, the launch show, the support slot or the sold-out room, there are usually a lot of ordinary rehearsal hours behind it.
And right now, any venue making those hours easier to access is doing something useful.
Bands can book through The Brightside’s rehearsal page.
For Sunshine Coast artists, YELO also keeps a guide to local rehearsal spaces and grassroots music resources.
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