Sydney has an interesting new music venue. The Gate is a semi-regular event that takes place in a residential backyard in Ryde, Sydney.

With the support of their neighbors, The Gate’s founders have created an intimate (approx. 150 at capacity) and unique space with all the charm of the suburbs. The non-profit shows ask for a minimum donation at the door, and all revenue goes to the bands and maintenance.

According to their website, “We’re attempting to bring live music to a place that doesn’t really see much of it. Sydney has a lot of bands buried in the broad spread of the North Shore through to the Western Suburbs, and yet not a lot of venues exist in these places. We’re hoping that this will help foster a creative community that is excited about seeing music happen in new places – especially as music seems to get increasingly driven out of the inner city and inner suburbs thanks to rising expenses and increasingly difficult restrictions.”