A new purpose-built, 3,000-capacity venue is coming to Perth.
Just three days after Western Australia Day, Live Nation unveils its plans for Northbridge Music Hall, the doors for which are expected to open in the summer of 2026-27.
Located at 77 Francis Street at the site of a cold storage warehouse, the venue will feature two performance spaces, and is expected to book music, comedy, and theatre.
The finished result will include a main events space with a smaller, 600-capacity club room, both equipped with “state-of-the-art” staging and production.
With its size and fit-out, Northbridge Music Hall is inspired by Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall, and hits the “sweet spot” in this metro market, explains Alex Klos, President, Live Nation Australia and New Zealand.
“There wasn’t anything in Perth (of that scale), so if you want to do a national routing,” Klos tells Variety AU/NZ, “Perth was a bit of a gap in that venue size.”
LN has made a “significant investment” in this project, reportedly worth $30 million, and done so without third-party partnerships. “We think it’s really important. We see Perth as an important market, so we want to invest and keep growing it,” Klos continues.
Of the existing space, the roof will be raised, the original walls and facade will be kept, the rest will be totally gutted and refurbed. The team is currently working through approvals and finalising design.
Klos and his team identified the location 18 months-24 months ago, following a years-long search.
Despite the isolation, or perhaps because of it, Western Australia has a fine entertainment scene. Tame Impala, Spacey Jane, and Birds of Tokyo all hail from the western state.
“It’s a strong market, there’s a lot of disposable income. It’s one of the richest states in terms of average incomes and disposable income, thanks to the mining sector. And the government’s very supportive of the arts as well,” Klos explains. “It’s definitely an attractive market and one we want to keep supporting.”
It’s too early to talk bookings, though “the idea will be to have a good opening with a prominent act to showcase the venue when we’re ready,” he notes. “We always open these venue with local heroes, local acts.” LN expects to present more than 120 shows in the venue’s first year.
Northbridge Music Hall is the latest addition to LN’s growing portfolio of venues across Australia and New Zealand, including The Palais Theatre and Festival Hall in Melbourne, Fortitude Music Hall and The Triffid in Brisbane, Hindley Street Music Hall in Adelaide, Anita’s Theatre in Wollongong, and Spark Arena in Auckland.
Northbridge Music Hall is “set to become a cornerstone of Perth’s cultural landscape and a dynamic space for live entertainment,” remarked Klos and Paul Piticco, Director of Touring and Venue Development, Live Nation Australasia, in a statement.
“Designed to welcome both rising talent and world-class performers, it’s an investment in the city’s creative future and we’re excited to collaborate with the local arts community to create new opportunities for both performers and fans.”