After hosting some of the biggest bands from across the globe over the past 15 years, famous Perth live music venue Capitol will shut its doors on January 1.
The news of its closure however doesn’t mark the end of live music in the beloved space, with plans currently underway to bring the venue “into the modern era” via extensive renovations before it reopens under a yet-to-be-announced name on March 1.
“It feels a little odd, but at the same time, we just keep moving on,” venue booker Jeff Halley told The Music.
“We’ve already got shows booked in for the new Capitol.”
As part of the renovations, punters will enjoy better sound and sightlines, the latter of which in part is due to the removal of the bar near the back of the room, while musicians get a squared-off stage, vamped green room and more.
“To see a gig there, to play a gig there, it’s still one of the best venues, but we take our live music and our audiences seriously and we want to keep it at the forefront, so we’re giving it a good makeover,” Halley said.
The building in which Capitol currently occupies has become embedded into the fabric of the city for decades, previously housing Pinocchio’s, Globe and The Monkey Bar over the past 30 years.
“It’s a really well thought out, laid out club, from a live music perspective, and it does sound good,” Halley said.
“It was built way back to house live entertainment, so it’s stood the test of time. It’s not a venue where live music has been an afterthought – live music and clubbing have always been at the forefront of that space since the ‘70s and ‘80s.
“Perth doesn’t really have a proper mid-level concert club, as such. There’s a couple of pubs that have put stages and PAs in – they’re live music venues, but this is purpose build; a proper concert club that can house local, national and international acts to a level they require.”
With a slew of events booked at Capitol to round out 2019 and the end of an era, the new venue already has multiple events booked, including a previously-announced Lagwagon show in mid-March.
Meanwhile, the club right next door, Amplifier – which launched its own bowling alley earlier this year – will remain unaffected during the changes.
Over the years, Capitol has hosted bands such as The Strokes, The Bronx, Jimmy Eat World, The Vines, Violent Soho and stacks more.
Check out theGuide for all upcoming gigs at Amplifier Bar and Capitol.
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