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Geddes Lane Ballroom returns live music to King Street

TicketWeb and Geddes Lane Ballroom join forces to bring live music back to King Street

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As part of the King Street Revival Project, one of Melbourne’s most popular spaces is set to get a huge makeover and return to its live music roots.

While recently home to King Street’s Bar 20, the 170-year old bluestone building has showcased some legendary live music moments.

Known as The Grainstore Tavern throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, the venue was the location John Farnham launched his album Whispering Jack, and everyone from INXS to Tina Arena has graced its stage.

Now thanks to Australian chef Shannon Bennett and Grollo Group CEO Lorenz Grollo, the venue’s live music tradition is set to continue.

Geddes lane Ballroom
Credit: Jason Edwards/Herald Sun

Launching this month, Geddes Lane Ballroom will feature a ground floor bar – with a food and drinks menu curated by the Vue De Monde team – while upstairs a world-class PA and 400+ capacity band room is the latest addition to Melbourne’s live music scene.

TicketWeb is excited to be the exclusive ticketing agent for the venue. “We’re very excited to be working with the Geddes Lane Ballroom team. TicketWeb is a ticketing platform built to empower band rooms and clubs to take control of their own ticketing, while helping to amplify their message across the greater Ticketmaster network.

“The Geddes Lane Ballroom is a great new addition to the already outstanding Melbourne music scene, and another piece in the continuing regeneration of King Street. This is the next chapter in the venue’s colourful story, and a revival of its rock and roll past. We couldn’t be more enthusiastic to be involved in what is sure to be the most exhilarating episode yet.”

Geddes lane Ballroom
Credit: Oliver Smith

Aussie rockers Kingswood helped launch the venue to a packed room of music industry people last night and they were in rapturous form. Whipping the crowd into a frenzy, they utilised the stage thrust leftover from its previous incarnation to its maximum by getting swarms of fans onstage to sing along.

The venue will be booked by Ben Thompson and Ashlea O’Loughlin – the powerhouse team behind venues including 170 Russell, Corner Hotel, and East Brunswick Club. “We’re excited to be bringing live music back to one of Melbourne’s most popular venues throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s,” Thompson said. “Live music fans will love it. With the loss of so many live music venues over the last ten years including quality smaller rooms like Ding Dong Lounge and Shebeen, there aren’t many options out there. People need the option to come into the city and experience original live music.”

Geddes Lane Ballroom already has a huge November locked in, with more shows incoming. Byron Bay singer-songwriter Kyle Lionhart will take to the stage next month for two shows on Thursday 8 November and Saturday 10 November, before the venue features in Melbourne Music Week’s action-packed Live Music Safari on Thursday November 22.

Get prepared to sing One Crowded Hour at the top of your lungs when Augie March take over the venue on Friday 23 November with The Orbweavers and Saturday 24 November with Gregor. The band room will then transform into a dancefloor when purveyor of all things funk Harvey Sutherland takes over on Friday 30 November.

Geddes lane Ballroom
Credit: Oliver Smith

The revamp doesn’t stop here, with future plans for the venue to include a takeover of the lane itself with food vans, projections, street art and rotating pop-up events. They’re also preparing to house a novelty pizza vending machine that promises to cook up a Margherita in six minutes.

Geddes Lane Ballroom promises to be another classic medium room joining the ranks of Melbourne’s thriving music scene. Head over to our partner website TicketWeb for tickets to every Geddes Lane Ballroom show.