Red Hill Launch

Sat 22nd Jan, 2011 in Local News

After months of anticipation, Red Hill, Perth’s newest venue, introduced itself to the industry on Thursday night, and the industry was well impressed. After a couple of drinks in the Rosemount’s beer garden, it was a short coach ride in air conditioned comfort into the hills as the sunset painted the sky red and gold – a glorious backdrop for our first glimpse of this world class venue.

Perched at the top of a hill with a panoramic view of the skyline and our tiny city in the distance, Red Hill is an outdoor amphitheatre with a capacity of 5000 that is purpose built for music. Speaking candidly on the way there, one of the people responsible for its creation said “We wanted to get away from the kind of concert where you stand in a field and stare at someone’s arse and get treated like shit”. They have certainly made a good start. The sound is excellent wherever you stand, and the sightlines are perfect. The lighting dapples the beautiful limestone terrace, painting the patrons into the scenery.

Schvendes and French Rockets had the honour of being the first bands to perform at the venue, something they will brag about to grandkids when Red Hill is an icon in the Perth music story. Industry folk were scattered over the steps, in the retro couches and stood in groups on the dance floor being bathed in music and lights as both bands christened the stage, and raised hopes for the many more nights like this to come. Both bands looked and sounded excellent and were a perfect choice to welcome the auditorium into the world of music.

In a brilliant piece of planning, Red Hill provides shuttle buses to and from the venue from local pubs all over the metro area. No more relying on the vagaries of public transport or having to designate a driver each time, the shuttles will get you there and back in time for the shows, and there’ll be no lines of traffic to contend with either. Using the service will also help you to reduce carbon emissions, network with other music lovers on the journey, and re-introduce people to their local. Who knows? This could have a flow on effect for live music, with the pubs involved getting on board to provide the kind of music their patrons demand…

Shuttles depart from the following pubs for every gig:
The Balmoral (East Vic Park)
The Como (Como)
The Saint (Innaloo)
Wanneroo Villa (Wanneroo)
Beeches (Beechborough)
Morley Alehouse (Morley)
The Greenwood (Greenwood)
The Carine (Duncraig)
The Rosemount (North Perth)
Albion (Cottesloe)
The Wembley (Wembley)
Seventh Ave (Midland)
Seaview (Sth Fremantle)
Captain Stirling (Nedlands)

Red Hill is planning a series of free films on Sundays between February and April, with quality food and drinks on sale, and comfy seats for hire. Full Program

The first big concert planned for the venue is the ANZAC Day Songlines gig with Paul Kelly, Neil Finn and Lior and tickets have been selling fast. Head to Red Hill to get yours.