Council To Work With Historic Sydney Pub To Restore Live Music

Local council has opened discussions with a historic Sydney pub to restore live music after a single complaint forced the axing of live artists from the venue.

Stalwart Forest Lodge establishment, the Harold Park Hotel, confirmed on its Facebook page this past weekend that its long-running Sunday courtyard live sessions have been cut following a complaint from a neighbour who moved into the area just two weeks ago.

update: Labor Councillor Blames Sydney Council For Harold Park's Live Music Axing

"Pub been here 137 years, this anonymous mob move in two weeks, and our Sunday arvo local entertainment is gone," the statement reads.

The post has since been met with overwhelming support for the venue, with the community rallying for live music to be brought back.

The Harold often hosted acoustic performances from members of a number of popular Sydney bands, including Bootleg Rascal, Lepers & Crooks and The Khanz.

It is also the same venue where Hoodoo Gurus' filmed the music video for their 1984 track, My Girl.

While it has been found that the Harold had in fact breached its license by showcasing live entertainment in its outside courtyard, the City Of Sydney has confirmed to The Music that they are working with management to provide a resolution.

"The City regularly works with venues one-on-one to help them establish or continue live music programming – in line with our Live Music and Performance Action Plan – but the City cannot alter development consent conditions unless a venue requests it," a statement given exclusively to The Music reads.

"The City's advisor for live music and performance has already been in contact with the Harold Park Hotel to discuss amending their development consent to allow live entertainment in the courtyard, and about the City’s Business Improvement Grants Program, which provide up to $5,000 matched funding for venues needing to undertake acoustic reports in relation to live music or performance."

This morning, Triple M’s The Grill Team ventured to the Harold with a bagpiper, who performed directly outside the pub to poke fun at the complaint made.

See the video below.

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