Brioche buns and bandrooms: the struggle for live music’s place in the Melbourne pub scene

Paris Martine, an independent band booker at Melbourne music venues Howler and the John Curtin Hotel, fears more venues will soon close. Photograph: Christopher Hopkins/The Guardian

In a neon-lit bandroom in Melbourne’s inner’s north, singer-songwriter Gordi is stationed behind the merchandise table.

Punters are beginning to pile into Thornbury’s Shotkickers for the final gig of a special series showcasing young Australian musicians, curated by Gordi and fellow musician Alex Lahey to boost fanbases for emerging artists.