Everyone is entitled to my opinion...

 

 

Two music venues in Sydney made the news this week and for very different reasons.

 

The Hopetoun Hotel in Surry Hills has closed due to… well, it’s difficult to say exactly why as there are a number of different stories floating around. Costs of renovating were blowing out, council problems and that typical Sydney issue, noise complaints from neighbours, have all been getting a run on the rumour mill. But whatever the real reason, the consequence of losing yet another quality music venue in Sydney will be potentially devastating. Is it too early to suggest a Hopetoun benefit concert, a’ la Sound Relief?

 

One venue that is definitely not closing is The Metro on George Street. Thanks to the lovely people at Alberts Music I was fortunate enough to attend the re-launch of this fabulous venue last night. Both the Seabellies and Dappled Cities played excellent sets, but the real star of the show was Sir Richard Branson who popped up to announce the new name for the venue. It is now called the Virgin Mobile Metro.

 

No, I don’t like it either… what next? The Telstra Espy?