Local club backs new talent

James Sykes reports on a new music model that could save Melbourne musicians.

An iconic Melbourne venue is backing emerging musicians through guaranteed payments and multi-show residencies.

As similar live music venues face closure, Fitzroy’s Punters Club is offering an alternative for gig-goers and musicians alike with unique free gigs. According to Punters’ audio production manager, Kaelan Edwards, “Punters’ unique offering of artist guarantees and residencies has launched many careers.”

Edwards described the residencies and guarantees as “instrumental” in supporting local bands such as recent performers, the Heart Shaped Aces. By committing to paying bands regardless of attendance or drink sales, this model ensures all artists receive fair pay. “Punters acts as a low-stakes venue taking the pressure off artists to sell tickets and drinks,” he said.

The club’s free music model removes a major barrier of entry for pubgoers wanting to experience live music. “The free live music makes it easy to get people along,” Edwards said. “There is less pressure and less of a barrier to entry.”

Bad Bangs’ guitarist Sofia Lubczenko, who recently performed at Punters, explained that “guarantees to play get rid of the pressure for bands to sell tickets and drinks over the bar.”

Fellow Bad Bangs band member, Shelby De Fazio, described the venue as a “well-oiled machine,” enabling them to deliver their best at a free Saturday night gig. De Fazio describes these venues as essential elements of Melbourne culture. “Live music is the heartbeat of this city,” she said. “Melbourne’s music scene has always been a place for artists to cut their teeth.”

De Fazio is still optimistic about the current Melbourne music scene but believes band guarantees will be an important way to support clubs moving forward. “There also needs to be more state and government support for smaller venues, through grants and helping with venues insurance costs,” she said.

Such grants have already seen success in keeping venues open such as Fitzroy’s the Tote Hotel, which recently received a boost from the Victorian Government.

Punters Club first operated as a live music venue between 1987-2002 before reopening under a new management team in 2024. Jet bandmember Mark Wilson was among the team first responsible for the club’s return to Fitzroy. What began as a two-week promotional run of live music evolved into regular free gigs and the guarantee system seen in the club today.

Another secret to their success, Edwards suggests, is the set-up of a fully functional pub space within the club, enabling patrons bored with the music to escape into different rooms guilt-free because they spent no money on the tickets. Kaelan Edwards said, “Punters is now a one-stop shop for patrons by offering free live music and cheap drinks.”

Punters Club Hotel (Photo: Instagram @puntersclubfitzroy)