Media release: Save The Night Cat!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Melbourne, Victoria - April 9, 2025 - One of Melbourne's most beloved live music venues, The Night Cat, is calling on the community to help safeguard its future.

Whilst development in The City of Yarra continues to expand, the venue faces increasing challenges in preserving its ability to host live music at the standard that has made it a cultural institution for decades. As a direct result of increasing compliance demands from developments in the area, The Night Cat is now under immediate threat of closure unless costly soundproofing upgrades are implemented.

To ensure its survival and protect live music in Fitzroy, The Night Cat has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise over $60,000 for essential upgrades, including:
 

• Advanced sound monitoring equipment
• Additional soundproofing and sound-limiting solutions
• Expert acousticians to implement long-term protections

"As an independently owned venue, we simply can't shoulder these costs alone and continue to operate," said Justin Stanford, owner of The Night Cat.

"These upgrades aren't just about today - they'll protect The Night Cat for years to come," he added.

"Live music is at the heart of Fitzroy, and we need to act now to ensure this venue continues to support artists, provide jobs, and bring music lovers together."

For the past 30 years, The Night Cat has been a vital hub for musicians across jazz, soul, funk, Latin and beyond. It has hosted countless legendary performances and remains one of the few venues in Melbourne offering 360-degree stage performances, creating an immersive and intimate experience for audiences. Artists who've performed at The Night Cat include King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Amyl & The Sniffers, Sister Nancy, Charli XCX, The Pharcyde, Nightmares on Wax, Sampa The Great, The Teskey Brothers, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Allen Stone, Dead Prez, Floating Points, ?uestlove, Sun Ra Arkestra, Mayito Rivera and many more.

With Melbourne's live music scene still recovering from the challenges of recent years, community support is crucial. Every donation - big or small - will help ensure The Night Cat remains a home for live music in Fitzroy for generations to come.

Supporters can donate to the campaign here.

MEDIA CONTACT (For interviews and/or more information):

Erin Jameson | erin(at)jamesonandco(dot)com | +61 419 323 663