Cambridge Hotel looking to lure bigger acts to Newcastle

Rather than resting on their laurels, the biggest renovations in more than a decade are underway to guarantee the Newcastle West venue continues to lure major acts to town, as well as fostering Hunter talent.

Last week’s trifecta of shows by From The Jam, Frenzal Rhomb and The Gooch Palms launched the new expanded band room. The old glass smoking area has been enclosed with a raised floor, increasing capacity to about 800 people and improving the view of the stage.

On Friday Melbourne guitar master Harts will be the first act to sample the Cambridge’s new state-of-the-art sound system, which was installed on Tuesday. Only Sydney University’s Manning Bar has a comparable PA.  

“It’s enabling us to get international acts back touring through the city and have some consistency in that and know that we can support that with the capacity and this new sound system,” Cambridge co-owner Greg Mathew said. 

However, Mathew said the renovations weren’t just about established acts. On Thursday their weekly local showcase will kick-off in the newly renovated front bar with Kllo, Ceilings and Emilie Kate performing. The smaller room will cater for about 150 people.

Newcastle musicians are urged to contact the Cambridge to organise opportunities to play on their Thursday local showcases. The renovations are expected to be complete by mid-November.

NEWCASTLE hardcore quintet Safe Hands have promised a departure from their traditional sound when they release their sophomore album Tie Your Soul To Mine on September 23.

Safe Hands formed in 2007 and for the past nine years have continued to ply their trade as an independent band, while many of their contemporaries have waded into obscurity. Safe Hands’ debut EP Oh The Humanity was released in 2011 and was followed by their maiden album Montenegro two years later.

The first cut from their new album, The Great Affair, is more melodic than previous releases, but has maintained their epic sound. It also tackles pressing societal issues like violence and misogyny. Safe Hands will support Pup at the Cambridge Hotel on October 1.

JULIA Jacklin is yet to release her debut album Don’t Let The Kids Win, but expectations are high that the Blue Mountains lass is about to drop a classic.

Jacklin’s nostalgic combination of alt-country, garage and doo-wop has produced three brilliant singles in Pool Party, Leadlight and Coming Of Age and attracted praise from music writers. The 25-year-old will tour North America and Europe throughout the spring before returning home. Novocastrians can check out the hype for themselves when Jacklin plays the Small Ballroom on December 2.

RAPPER, poet and self-proclaimed magnificent bastard Omar Musa is becoming a regular visitor to Newcastle.

Last Thursday Musa was at the Small Ballroom supporting L-Fresh The Lion and on September 30 he will return to drop some rhymes at the This is Not Art festival in Newcastle. Musa, who released his EP Dead Centre on August 6, will perform at the TiNA speech night at the Royal Exchange, which will also feature appearances from writers Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen, Hera Lindsay Bird, Beccy Stuart and Jack Vening.

THE plight of the West Papuan people doesn’t attract headlines, despite happening immediately north of Australian shores.

However, on September 30 a host of bands throughout the country are banding together to raise awareness about the human rights abuses committed against the indigenous people of West Papua. Concerts will be held simultaneously in Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Perth, Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Lismore, and Arnhem Land.

Sydney hardcore bands Once Remained and Skinpin will perform at Newcastle Leagues Club’s The Vault, alongside local punkers The Grounds. All funds go towards the United Liberation Movement For West Papua.

NOBODY could accuse The Black Sorrows of not being a hard-working band. But by their own high standards their upcoming national tour is simply exhausting. The blues-rock outfit, led by Joe Camilleri, is embarking on a 50-date Australian tour, which includes shows at Lizotte’s on December 9 and 10. It's all in support of The Black Sorrows’ 20th album, Faithful Satellite, which is released on Friday.