Live Nation expands venue portfolio as it takes on operations of Anita’s Theatre

Live Nation has announced the expansion of its Australian venue portfolio with it taking on the operations of Anita’s Theatre in the Illawarra region of NSW,

Located in Thirroul, a northern seaside suburb of Wollongong and approximately 60 kilometres south of Sydney, the historic venue is a hub for a wide variety of live music and comedy acts.

Live Nation owns and operates a global portfolio of over 300 renowned live entertainment venues, including The Palais Theatre in Melbourne, the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, and the recently announced Hindley Street Music Hall in Adelaide. Live Nation’s experience is unparalleled and will assist the venue in attracting a high calibre of performers, ensuring music fans in Illawarra can access the best live entertainment from both domestic and international acts.

Anita’s Theatre has helped develop Australian and international artists including City of Colour, Eric Burdon, Suzi Quatro, Angus and Julia Stone, Suzie Quatro, and John Butler Trio. In 2019, iconic Sydney-born Australian rock band Midnight Oil included Anita’s Theatre in their 2019 ‘The Final Tour schedule,’ which also included shows at Australia’s biggest arenas highlighting the theatre’s cultural significance, and Live Nation looks forward to continuing to foster this role within the local community and greater Australian ecosystem.

In addition to local artist development, the theatre also acts as a hub for local businesses driving positive economic impact for the area. With an increased catalogue of live entertainment and Live Nation’s involvement in the theatre, it is expected that it will help attract more fans and customers ensuring these local businesses continue to thrive.

Noting that Thirroul is rapidly becoming an energetic destination for live entertainment, and the venue provides local audiences direct access to a spectrum of live performances, Roger Field, President of Live Nation Asia Pacific, commented “keeping venues, such as Anita’s Theatre, open is imperative to the ongoing growth of local Australian artists.

“As advocates for developing local Australian talent, we are aware of the cultural significance Anita’s Theatre holds within the Illawarra region, and we are looking forward to showcasing an array of amazing live entertainment and talent for local fans to enjoy.”

The owners of Anita’s Theatre added “we are very excited to announce that we will be partnering with Live Nation to deliver the best of live entertainment that Australia and the world have to offer to the people of the Illawarra and outer Sydney.

Live Nation will be taking over theatre operations, working very hard to bring a high calibre of performers to our venue for music fans. We would also like to thank everyone who has supported the theatre over the past decade, especially through the last two years which were particularly difficult. The magic of live brings people together like nothing else, and we look forward to the community’s ongoing support and patronage as we begin this new chapter of the theatre.”

The magnetism of Anita’s Theatre is maintained by its rich history and local cultural significance. Initially opened in 1925 as the ‘King’s Theatre’, the venue was used for a variety of purposes throughout the decades until it was re-opened as the incredible theatre as we know it today, named ‘Anita’s Theatre’ in 2007.