Melbourne’s status as the live music capital of the world is set to receive a boost with the announcement today that Chasers nightspot in Chapel St South Yarra will be hosting international and national live touring acts, stand-up comedy and cabaret under the live brand Three Eight Six.
Chasers located on Chapel St in South Yarra has undergone an extensive refit to provide Melbourne music fans and Australian concert promoters with an important mid-sized venue as Three Eight Six, that will allow the finest in Australian and international talent to continue to play in this city.
Sam Hibbins, State Parliament Member for Prahran welcomes the addition, “Live music is absolutely essential to the vibrancy of Chapel Street. I’m thrilled that live music will be returning to Chasers, no doubt adding to Chapel St’s reputation as one of Melbourne’s great entertainment destinations”.
Chasers has been operating as a music destination for almost 40 years and is one of Melbourne’s most loved venues with a 24 hour licence. In the late 1980s through to the late 1990s the iconic venue and nightspot hosted many live music concerts including Sonic Youth, The Church, Hunters & Collectors, You Am I and Regurgitator, as well as some of Melbourne’s most popular and enduring club nights including Hard ‘n’ Fast on Wednesdays and Delirium on Sundays.
“Chasers is a Melbourne institution and we love connecting with people and hearing their stories about the venue. We have recently upgraded the production including a new stage, lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system and are looking forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary on November 16 this year. In the meantime we look forward to welcoming a new generation of music fans to Chasers, Three Eight Six,” said Chasers co-owner Martha Tsamis.
Live events can cater up to 700 people standing or 300 seated. A D&B PA system has been installed by JPJ Audio, lighting has been updated and a new stage has been installed. The venue has a 24 hour licence and an overall capacity to hold up to 900 people. The current iconic Saturday club night “Poof Doof” will continue, however the other six nights a week are open to host events and live music as Three Eight Six. Behind Chasers’ Three Eight Six is experienced Melbourne live music operators Warren Amster and Neil Wedd working closely with owners Martha Tasmis and Pat Dromi.
Patrick Donovan, CEO of Music Victoria, the peak body for contemporary music welcomed the announcement by Chasers. “Melbourne is well served by a brilliant collection of live music venues – the recently released Melbourne Live Music Census concluded that we have more venues per capita than anywhere in the world. But most of these are based in the CBD or north of the river, and music fans south of the river are crying out for more live music opportunities. A flexible venue that can cater for 700 standing or 300 seated will be in great demand by promoters, agents and bands. Chasers has a proud tradition of supporting contemporary music, and I enjoyed seeing many bands at its weekly rock night Outlaw Hard N Fast. Even Mick Jagger turned up one night to check out the talent. This venue will fill one of the key missing pieces in the Victorian live music jigsaw puzzle.’’
Three Eight Six launches officially on Friday July 6 with punk rockers Amyl & the Sniffers. This will be the last opportunity to see the Australian band play live in Melbourne this year, as the band will be based overseas for the rest of the year following their performance at Splendour in the Grass in late July. Amyl & the Sniffers are currently on tour across the USA supporting Flightless Records label mates King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.
Tickets on sale Friday June 8 from Oztix.
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Gavin Ryan reports with thanks to Australian-Charts.com
