Live Nation secures lease to operate Melbourne’s Festival Hall

Live Nation Australia has announced that it has secured a multi-year lease to operate Melbourne’s Festival Hall, aiming to restore the venue as a “cornerstone” for the city’s live music scene.

The company aims to invest in a number of upgrades at the heritage-listed 5,000-capacity venue, which has hosted countless concerts and sporting events across its 100-years-plus history, including the Beatles, Bill Haley, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters and Ed Sheeran, as well gymnastics and wrestling competition during the 1956 Olympic Games.

Located in West Melbourne, the versatile space was purchased by Hillsong Church in 2020 after longstanding owners Stadiums Limited failed to secure planning approval for a residential development on the site.

Under the new operating arrangements, while Live Nation will manage the venue for live music and entertainment events, Hillsong will continue to use it for weekend services and other events.

Commenting on the move, Live Nation APAC President, Roger Field stated “we are extremely excited to be delivering the next chapter of Festival Hall’s life, not only because it will help support the growing demand of shows that are coming down the pipeline across the industry, but also to put the iconic venue firmly back on the global live entertainment map. 

“It’s a privilege to be part of an organisation that values the protection of existing heritage music assets and sees the importance that these venues play in the ongoing growth of the live entertainment sector and the communities they’re a part of.

“Our vision is to ensure that Festival Hall remains a cornerstone of the State’s live music scene for artists, industry, and fans alike.”

Festival Hall is the latest addition to Live Nation’s growing portfolio of venues, which includes The Palais Theatre in Melbourne, the Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, the Hindley Street Music Hall in Adelaide and Anita’s Theatre, a historic venue in Thirroul, north of the NSW city of Wollongong, which in 2022 became the company’s first entry into the regions.

Financial terms of the arrangement weren’t disclosed.

Images: Concert at the Festival Hall (top) and Roger Field (below, credit: Sam DAgostino/SDP Media).