Introducing Canberra's NewestLive Music Venue - The Maram

Thu 17th Jun, 2010 in Local News

Take a drive down the Monaro Highway to Wanniassa and you’ll come across Canberra’s newest live music venue, The Maram. It’s been 18 months since Canberra’s beloved Greenroom closed in 2008, but now its mastermind, Garry Peadon, has taken on a new challenge.

“The Maram has had many prior tenants – a self serve Chinese restaurant, The Jackpot Bar and The Venue. From all accounts The Jackpot Bar was its highlight with the Chinese restaurant and The Venue falling dismally into the same category. The Chinese restaurant served cheap bad food and The Venue was a seedy, poorly ran, attempt at being a venue” says Peadon.

FasterLouder had a chat with Greenroom’s Gaz to talk about the new venue, how it all came about and its upcoming gigs.

“Two years ago The Maram was purchased by two young plumbers and work begun cleaning the place up. Their idea was to turn it into a sports bar, bistro, pool room and function venue.

I went to a gig one night had a quick look around and could see a lot of potential in the place. After a couple of discussions with the owners and management I agreed to book some shows in on the proviso that a few things change – things like sound treatment and proofing, a new stage, more power etc etc..

Currently there is live bands and DJs every weekend, with most nights free entry, the bistro food actually tastes good and both alcohol and food are well within a budget. The current venue has a capacity of 400 and will be expanded to around 550. Peadon tells us the owners heads are screwed on the right way and The Maram will soon be marked down on your calendar of events.

“Yes there are a few bogans playing pool and a couple of dudes with beards watching TV, but you will find that they are a rather friendly bunch and will leave you to do your thing” – what more could you want from a live music venue really.

Wolf & Cub kick off the first of The Greenroom shows this Saturday night.

Upcoming shows at The Maram
Every Friday night: Boogie Nights DJ night
Saturday 19 June – Wolf & Cub
Saturday 3 July – British India
Friday 13 August – The Hard On’s

Stay tuned to the gig guide for more shows at The Maram!