9 August 2005

No more Devine music

| Kerces
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Tilley’s is closing its doors to regular live music acts at the end of October.

Owner Paulie Higgisson told The Canberra Times (and also here) that it just isn’t viable for her to keep the performance side of the business going.

“Besides the extra staff needed for concerts, there are other associated costs in doing shows – advertising, copyright – that just aren’t covered by the ticket price. We’ve been carrying that now for over 20 years,” she said.

Also because of their policy of no food or drinks served during shows (a policy which is adored by both performers and audiences), gigs tend to be an unproductive time in financial terms for the cafe as well as a pain for people wanting a meal.

With Toast probably also closing down in October it will be a tough time for live music in Canberra. Ms Higgisson said the lack of live music venues in Canberra was a hard part of her decision.

“It’s the reason I’ve put this decision off for a couple of years. Someone does need to do a baton-change with us, but I don’t really see anyone on the horizon. But I’ve come to the realisation that I’m not here to provide wonderful music to the public at any cost; it’s not a public service. I’m just hoping that there’s somebody out there with the stamina and integrity to run that kind of venue.”

Tilley’s will still host the occasional gig, such as during the Multicultural Festival next February, but mainly they’ll just be another inner-north restaurant and cafe. Which could be good news as many potential patrons have been turned off by having to either keep track of the gig timetable or ring and check if they are able to come for a meal.

The final concert series finishes on Sunday 30 October with blues singer Pat Thompson and the Ragtag Jazz Band.

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tilleys blows. if they want to charge premium prices, have table service. last saw tex there, and the church, so it is an OK music venue, but for a feed, no thanks.

Wasn’t directed at you RG. Promise.

LG, just following the conversation.

As for how she runs things, she simply didn’t use good business sense is what I am told.

Aah! Hence the interest in both areas! Makes sense.

David Heidelberg4:01 pm 10 Aug 05

Lived in sub-tropics since January this year. Prior to that, Canberra since 1978

Toast is being closed because of noise complaints from the wankers at the Waldorf.

Do you mean the old Asylum AD? I only remember the Gypsy being where there is now a (Fernwood?) gym next to King O’Malley’s.

How come noone is bagging out Toast, if they are closing soon?

And if it’s her business, it IS her personal dictatorship. If people don’t like Tilleys, why are they upset that they won’t be able to go there for music anymore?

I just don’t get it! This forum is becoming more and more about disagreeing with everything, and this seems like just another case in point.

LG, the way she ran the place like her own personal dictatorship was hurting the business, or so I’m told.

Maybe I’ll be able convince my source to post his hilarious diatribe on the subject of Tilleys as a venue that he shared with me yesterday.

Never saw the Dirty Three at Tilley’s. Did see them some years ago at the ANU with Tex, Don and Charlie. They kicked some serious arse!

I’ll bow to everyone’s superior knowledge of the negative character aspects of Lauren Jackson’s bestest friend.

Absent Diane2:46 pm 10 Aug 05

Maybe he (brian) should look at opening up where gypsies was in the interchange…. which would be fully sick for lithium and other great nights as well as give canberra back that feel of having a decent venue

David, I thought you were in Queensland for some reason….

And I don’t think it’s fair all of you are attacking her for stopping doing something that was hurting her business financially. If that’s the case, you are all selfish bastards for not opening your own establishment and having live music.

David Heidelberg2:07 pm 10 Aug 05

PS- I do know her, and have had a lot to do with her music wise. She is not very nice.

David Heidelberg2:06 pm 10 Aug 05

I couldn’t care less that she enjoys the salty tuna taste of a twat, over the bitter taste of semen. I really shouldn’t have used her sexuality as a means to attack her.

I’m just annoyed that she has decided to stop music altogether. Pauli made it clear some years ago, that she refused to put on a band who couldn’t guarantee to fill the place, then proceed to abuse them if there wasn’t a full house. Just don’t like her.

I won’t say ‘stupid fucking dike’ because I don’t know her personally and I’m not a homophobic twat.

DH, if you know this lady personally and have the balls to call her that to her face then I retract the above.

That being said, I have to say for a community that touts the virtues of acceptance and harmony, there are a number of stupid fucking dikes who make it their point to make me feel unwelcome whenever I stupidly stroll in for a quiet drink or two.

Oh and I heard a rumour (may or may not be true) that Brian from Toast is looking at different premises for a new venue.

Fingers crossed.

Was anyone else lucky enough to have seen the Dirty Three there? Possibly the best gig I’ve seen in Canberra (toss up w/ Sonic Youth.)

Sad news to hear anyway.

You may be able to get an arts grant for that.

My co-worker who sledges Tilley’s mercilessly has been musing on this for some weeks now.

Sad to see this happen to Tilley’s. I was obviously oblivious to the “pretentious, conceited, elitist, precious and stuck up” Tilley’s scene. I just went there for a decent feed and to see bands that never seemed to play anywhere else in Canberra.

Some great nights with the Weddos, My Friend the Chocolate Cake, Lucksmiths and Tex. Even Paul Kelly playing bluegrass!

Oh for a spare million to start up a similar venue (size-wise at least!)

David, why is she a stupid fucking dike?

David Heidelberg9:28 am 10 Aug 05

dyke2 of “dike” ( P ) Pronunciation Key (dk) also dike n. Offensive Slang

Used as a disparaging term for a lesbian.

I hope that you learned something from this. I certainly haven’t. I also have nothing against lesbians; some of my favourite movies feature them prominently.

and that should be ‘above’ not ‘baove’ – which is a kind of cow

the baove comment is not by Rafe – ID left on computer

I think it is “dyke” not “dike” – you total fucking moron. Hope you feel like a big man now you have made a total dick of yourself
love
Dave

Vic Bitterman8:38 pm 09 Aug 05

Awwww my heart bleeds for the poor lesbians.

David Heidelberg7:37 pm 09 Aug 05

Stupid fucking dike.

Certainly a set day would be good.

Or drop the cover, allow service while the music is playing, and get smaller acts playing for significantly less.

I just hope this doesn’t put pressure on local artists trying to get a show in the remaining venues.

Very sad. Music nights at Tilleys were great – and often sold out. Counld’ tshe just do Fridays only, and put the prices up?

True Wayfarer5:01 pm 09 Aug 05

Yes it is a shame there’s to be no more live
acts at Tilleys. The performances staged
were always quite unique and eclectic acts
that wouldn’t necessarily fit in very well
in another venue. Still, it can’t be
forgotten just how pretentious, conceited, elitist, precious and stuck up the entire Tilleys scene is. I do find it incredibly difficult to believe Paulie Higginsons claim that in 21 years she’s never had to call upon an act to peform – they’ve all come to her. Sorry to hear about Toast, too. Brian the Proprietor is such
a lovely guy. So it’s the Waldorf over the road
then, that’s causing continual hassles
for him?

I don’t think it makes much difference to the local music scene, but a pity about touring acts.

Sad but understandable. Less understandable is the way Toast is being harassed by the Waldof (through workcover). I’m not a massive Toast guy, but considering the dearth or good venues in Canberra it’s bloody disgrace.

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