A Sunshine Coast live music venue owner has spoken out with practical, heartfelt advice on how locals can help keep the scene alive, amid the closure of The Station last week.

The Presynct owner Rusty Nyman (pictured with daughter Cherry) — who runs one of the region’s few remaining dedicated live music venues — says the shutdown is a devastating reminder of how fragile the industry has become.

“The reality is, people just aren’t supporting live music the way they used to,” Rusty says.

“We run 2–4 live music events every single week, and getting people through the doors has become incredibly difficult.”

She explains that behind every gig are rising costs, huge operational pressures, and a community that, increasingly, isn’t showing up in the numbers needed to keep doors open.

“What many don’t see are the huge and ever-rising costs involved — staff, insurance, licensing, production, power, compliance,” she says. “If people don’t come out to see bands and support the bar — including our wide range of non-alcoholic options — venues simply can’t survive.”

Rusty also expressed deep sympathy for The Station team.

“We know how incredibly hard they worked… No venue closes because people didn’t try hard enough.”

She urged the Sunshine Coast community to take simple steps to support the venues they love:

1️⃣ Bring friends — or come solo and take a chance.
2️⃣ Pre-buy tickets so venues can staff and plan properly.
3️⃣ Support the bar and avoid pre-loading or drinking in cars.

“Live music doesn’t exist without venues, and venues don’t exist without enough community support.”

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