What??!? I haven't heard this yet.....

rebranding

nothing good can come of this

no freaking way!

i mean, i guess syd uni peeps can cross the road to herman's bar.

No, Hermann's isn't doing gigs any more either. There's nothing booked there from now onwards.

no ''live'' music.

back to the old drum'n bass raves? DNBBQ? Moving Thru Air? awesome! bring that shit on!

No, Hermann's isn't doing gigs any more either.

what? fuck. what's going on in this country?

well, syd uni peeps can cross the road again and go to the sound lounge under the seymour centre. jazz is the new rock?

weird, its gonna be a waste of a space.

more details please? Does this have anything to do with the slow death of student life as a result of VSU or is it entirely unrelated. My guess is that the Student union were subsidising the live music...

but wouldn't the rooms use for music (or not) be a student union thing not a uni itself thing?

if students protested any more they could get upset about this.

Hermann's isn't doing gigs any more either

Oh, shit really? Not that it's an amazing venue (structurally, atmospherically) but I've seen a couple of great acts there, too.

Bloody hell.

I love these threads.
First off, spread a half-arsed rumour, then pretend you want it verified:

Firstly, can anyone confirm or deny this?

Then just go full steam ahead anyway:

Secondly, this is pretty crap. While it never fell into the same category as the late lamented Hoey, or the Metro or Enmore theatre or whatever, when it came to gigs, I've seen some good shows at Manning. And Sydney can ill afford to lose another mid-size venue, particularly one that was willing to host all-ages shows.This doesn't seem to have been a licensing issue for once; apparently it's about the recent ''rebranding'' of the university, a rebranding in which there is less place for loud music and excitable teenagers in funny clothes...

Manning's technically a union (not University) space, anon. Not sure how this relates to VSU-associated tightening of budgets. I'm happy to blame VSU for it...just not sure about the actual sequence of events/decisions.

Ouch, Block. What makes you think I'm only ''pretending'' I want this verified? People here could easily know more about this than I do.

hey! i've bumped into sleepysong in the past at the hoey and other places. he's an alright guy. i can vouch for his alright-ness, if that counts for anything.

less place for ...excitable teenagers in funny clothes...

That would wipe out a few whole faculties

block, sleepysong is an outstanding dude and you are bordering on okay. so shut it. thanks.

hahahaHAHA

YOUSE ARE AWL FARKED. GORN GIT!

Manning Bar will never live up to the unannounced lunchtime show You Am I played there in '96. OLD Manning too. None of this chrome and tiers bullshit. NO MORE TIERS!

no more tiers shampoo.

Uni union says no to risky rockers

Amy Corderoy
February 18, 2010

THE University of Sydney's Manning Bar, once known for its edgy music and ''loose'' clientele, is considering a ban on music that is considered too risky.

But it is not university administration that is responsible for the ban: rather the student union, which runs the bar, has decided that some events may pose a risk to the university's reputation and the bar's liquor licence.

The student union has made the bar's entertainment manager redundant and will spend two to three months reviewing the ''style of entertainment we are running'', the union chief executive, Paul McJannett, said.

While Mr McJannett refused to name the bands that he believed may cause problems, the Herald understands that the union is concerned about recent acts such as the rapper Necro - who raps about topics including murder and devil worship - as well as ''fetish'' events such as Club Lush.

The bar will also stop hosting any all-ages music shows.

Some students are unhappy about the changes. A fine arts student, Alex Pye, who hosts radio station FBi's breakfast program, said she found the idea of banning some types of music ''utterly confusing''.

''If they are looking at problem behaviour they can't just define it as a type of music,'' she said.

An arts student, Harrison Lillis, said he would be disappointed if his band the Small Hours were deemed inappropriate for the venue. ''Where do you draw the line of what is acceptable and what is not?''

Sources connected to the union have said that the University of Sydney is rebranding itself as an ''Ivy League'' institution and the union is trying not to undermine that image.

They also said the union had come under pressure from police and liquor authorities to abolish all-ages events because of the risk that under-age patrons may attempt to consume alcohol.

Mr McJannett said the union had decided to review its music policy over concerns about ''anti-social behaviour and alcohol''.

did the young liberals take over the union at the university of sydney or something?

i look forward to our new jazz fusion overlords.

They'll never book Necro again cuz they didn't make any money booking him. All this licensing and venue closure shit is turning me into a free market cheerleader. Let it sort itself out! The Ent manager would only have booked that shit cuz they figure it's better to open than to leave the place dormant til something ''acceptable'' comes along.

Uni union says no to risky rockers

I wonder if John Darnielle's metal-loving side will be his undoing?

said that the University of Sydney is rebranding itself as an ''Ivy League'' institution

looking forward to more vines and mess hall gigs then.

They also said the union had come under pressure from police and liquor authorities to abolish all-ages events because of the risk that under-age patrons may attempt to consume alcohol.

kids shouldn't be allowed out after school cos they 'may attempt to consume alcohol.'
such a dumb argument - if kids want to have a drink they'll sure as shit find a way to do it. if there's an 'event' where this could happen at least it can be managed and policed if that's the requirement. i'm pretty sure the cops aren't looking behind every bike shed after school!

Are all university students aged over 18?

looking forward to more vines and mess hall gigs then.

Haha I think the Mess Hall are actually playing there soon. Get cross-promotion on that shit ASAP

Are all university students aged over 18?

some will be turning 18 the year they start uni, (i did!) so maybe a few months as a 17yo?

Monster Session better be OK ..... or I will be angry

hi all

I have got a hold of a letter drafted by
Paul McJannett the CEO of USU (University of Sydney Union)
for use by the USU PR head in response to the entertainment related enquiries re Manning

perhaps this may help clear things up a bit? the main point confirmed is that Manning are no longer hosting all-ages events however the USU are planning on ''having additional entertainment at our non-licensed venues that cater for U/18 students.''

10 February 2010

Ms Sarah Stock
Head, Media and Public Relations
The University of Sydney

Dear Sarah

Re: Entertainment and the Common Meeting Spaces on Campus

Thank you for your enquiry regarding entertainment. It is appropriate that I provide a detailed answer as there are a number of related questions floating around at the present time – some of which are in the public domain (Facebook, etc) – and so it requires a comprehensive response.

In 2009 the University of Sydney Union undertook a formal review of its entertainment program, and this year we believe that we can provide more entertainment to a wider audience of students and the University community. We have taken advice from all stakeholders, including the University, and will discontinue with All-age licensed shows. All-age shows are typically where the licensee has to provide extra security controls and administration to ensure that no liquor licensing laws are breached. USU will compensate this position by having additional entertainment at our non-licensed venues that cater for U/18 students.

USU has recently taken on the chairperson’s role for the Liquor Accord on Campus, and we have established a good working relationship with the Newtown Police local command and the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing. I believe that the actions that the USU has recently taken will reinforce our position in the market place as a leader in the responsible service of alcohol, event and entertainment management.

USU is also committed to providing a common meeting ground for all of the University community as per our Constitution. The recent opening of the International Student Lounge on Level 4 of the Wentworth Building and the proposed redevelopment of the Holme Building will increase common meeting spaces available on Campus, outside of classroom and lecture theatres. We are also excited to be working with the Heads of Residential Colleges this year by extending the College experience and offering their students integration into the wider University community.

This year, the Union will be supporting the Residential Colleges and the 230 Clubs and Societies on Campus with professionally run venues serving alcohol to the highest RSA standards. Our Hospitality profile extends back to 1875 and there are many examples of great social occasions that Australian and international students can refer to as their best times at University.

USU is aware of the current community debate around the issue of anti-social behaviour and excessive alcohol consumption by young people. Our policy is not to dismiss the problem, but rather seek a mature response to the argument, including:

· Assessing the type of Entertainment in our Venues by using applied research techniques.

· Introducing a range of risk minimisation policies which are not mandatory for USU.

· Taking a leading role in the Campus-wide liquor accord.

· Working with University security in providing transport for patrons leaving the buildings late at night.

· Limiting any extended opening hours in Manning Bar.

· Continuing to provide the highest operating standards for the Responsible Service of Alcohol.

· Seeking expert support from senior research academics at the University of Sydney on aspects of youth culture and entertainment.

· Educating students and patrons on the issues and their responsibilities relating to alcohol consumption both on and off Campus.

· Providing OLGR workshops and guidelines to the Colleges and Clubs & Societies, as well as the greater University community.

Please feel free to distribute this email as you see fit and thank you for your enquiry.

Yours sincerely

Paul McJannett
CEO
The University of Sydney Union

too long; which is their non-licensed u-18 venue? Hermann's? somewhere new?

footbridge theatre.

a nice cheap all ages option for regular weekly weekend shows would be great. thanks!

Wow that's a big ''wuh''?

Two out of two Sydney chickens prefer rocking out at the Loft and the Glasshouse at UTS.

FREE ENTRY!

Shame it's mixed so fucking loud in there.

There's a Facebook group called Manning Defence League that has this to say:

Recently a number of workers, including Simone, Will and Ian have been made redundant at Manning Bar- by all accounts these staff members are hard working and bring in large sums of cash for the student union. A variety of musical genres lacking a clean cut image, metal and what-not, are to be banned, many of these genres were great money spinners for the union. Under eighteen events may also be banned- wonderful news for the many 17 year olds at USYD. The staff have been told that the way they interact with customers is not acceptable, and have been forced to undertake training which teaches, among other things, upselling. What’s worse, many of the union board directors have stated that they were only informed of this after it happened; so much for student control of student affairs.

A variety of sources have also suggested that external pressure from the university and Michael Spence's preference for a dry campus may be a big factor here- if this is true than it’s very improper, the university must respect the independence of its student organizations, threatening us with the looming specter of a dry campus is not on. The university is quick to claim credit for the many wonderful things our student union does, acting as if these achievements were it's own. Foisting blame whenever anything bad happens. Surely we are entitled to autonomy from the university as a student body.

There is a clear pattern towards corporatization here. But the beauty of Manning bar is its authenticity. Manning is a community, it has cultural capital- No clean cut image can ever replace that. Part of what makes Manning so lovely is also that we students control it- the people who drink there have part ownership, the bypassing of union board compromises this.

Students shouldn’t put up with any of this. It’s time for students to fight for a union which they control fully, and which treats its workers as it should.

This really upsets me. Honestly when I think about this issue it depresses me. I just keep thinking of the incredible shows I’ve seen there – Cult of Luna were awe inspiring. Napalm Death was a personal highlight which I was lucky enough to play at. There are too many to count, name or bring to mind.

Manning Bar is booked out most nights of the week. There have been some incredible shows across an amazingly diverse range of styles. Buying into the idea that death metal ‘promotes Satanism’ or Necro ‘endorses murder’ is absolutely ridiculous convervative rhetoric that has no grounding in reality.

The idea that one of the cornerstones of music culture in Sydney (for a plethora Australian and international artists) are going to disappear simply because the 11 or so University Student Union board members want to rebrand itself as some pompous ‘Ivy League institution’ is simply mind-blowingly.

This entire situation is soaked in bitter irony. It’s not like there are not mainstream acts playing there – there is an awesome balance of all styles. THAT is in the interest of University’s students – a broad, non-discriminatory venue that allows all sub-cultures and art styles.

Of course if it was simply an issue of profitability and finance then I wouldnt really have grounds to complain (nor would the University have grounds to make sweeping bans on “risky music” since many, many metal, hardcore, metalcore, grind, punk shows have been very profitable).

While the loss of smaller venues is definitely regreatable and going to make it difficult for grass-roots bands to find shows, the loss of a staple for international acts with a capacity of 919 is inconceivably damaging.

I just wish I knew what to do god damnit. I might try and contact some newspapers, but it's not like I have much faith in the Australian news media.