When the Red Rattler theatre in Marrickville installed acoustic foam in the walls behind its stage, it did not just make the venue soundproof \u2014 but future-proof.<\/p>\n
In Sydney’s inner west, where noise complaints can sometimes become the final nail in the coffin for a struggling venue, it pays to be prepared.<\/p>\n
“Even though they’ve put new laws in \u2026 I know that there’s always that one person or that one thing, there’s always a loophole,” the venue’s senior program manager, Kween G said.<\/p>\n
New laws toughened the process around noise complaints in NSW as of last year.<\/p>\n
Among the changes, disputes against a premises will favour the party who occupied the area first, to stop residents restricting the offerings of already-established venues.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Kween G says soundproofing has been a game changer for this inner west live music venue. (ABC News: Berge Breiland)<\/p>\n
Once construction began on apartments in the streets behind the Red Rattler, it became even more crucial to ensure the building, which once sat in a primarily industrial area, could continue hosting live shows.<\/p>\n
The theatre is among several venues given state government funding to install soundproofing as part of a grant program launched in 2024.<\/p>\n
Kween G said once the work was completed, the noise complaints largely dried up, and the quality of performances inside the converted warehouse space improved dramatically.<\/p>\n
“I often stand at the back of the room and go, ‘Wow, it sounds really good in here’,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It sounds crisp, it’s clear, it’s made a massive difference.”<\/p>\n
The state government’s grant program has been expanded this year \u2014 giving venues across NSW a share of $5.1 million for soundproofing, equipment upgrades and professional advice.<\/p>\n
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The Red Rattler in Marrickville is taking advantage of the grants from the NSW government. (ABC News: Berge Breiland)<\/p>\n
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said the program was aimed at keeping the NSW music scene alive.<\/p>\n
“Over a decade of [lockout laws] followed by the COVID lockdowns, we lost a lot of music venues \u2026 we’re determined to keep the ones we’ve got,” he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Graham said the initiative has been well-received by locals who live nearby.<\/p>\n
“It means a quiet night’s sleep near the venue, and a good night out inside the venue.”<\/p>\n
John Graham, pictured next to Kween G, says the aim of the grants is to keep the music scene alive. (ABC News: Berge Breiland)<\/p>\n
The Red Rattler also used its funding to install new air-conditioning, sound equipment and DJ software.<\/p>\n
Kween G said the work cost close to $250,000 in total \u2014 and they would not have been able to afford it themselves.<\/p>\n
“We would have to ask for donations, we would be calling out for people to help us to raise the money.<\/p>\n
“Like, you’d go, ‘Are you going to pay the mortgage or are you going to fix the air quality?'”<\/p>\n
Venues across NSW embrace future-proof funding<\/p>\n
In total, 39 venues across the state are receiving funding under the program \u2014 including nearby Enmore Theatre also in the inner west, Elton Chong in Penrith and The Servo in Port Kembla.<\/p>\n
Underground bar Club 77 in Sydney’s Darlinghurst is spending its grant money on accessible upgrades including a lift, disabled toilets and a wheelchair-friendly DJ box.<\/p>\n
Tim Blunt, who fronts Sydney-based band FVNERAL, said having the right facilities can make or break an act.<\/p>\n
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Tim Blunt says audiences are hyperaware of quality sound technology in live music venues. (ABC News: Berge Breiland)<\/p>\n
“There’s nothing more distracting when you’re trying to play a show than the sound being bad and clearly recognising that the audience is aware that the sound is not as good as it should be,” they said.<\/p>\n