So, my favourite Venue for The Prodigy: The Palace Theatre, is going to close it’s doors for good real soon.
This is a bit of a personal/close thing to me, as many of you know I am based here in Melbourne, AUS. Over time I’d mention that The Palace Theatre is my favourite venue for The Prodigy. And also recommended it to see any band in the venue. It’s perfect. The lower level had the mosh and bar at the back. The upper level had the onlookers & ravers. Only a few thousand people. The perfect size for a venue and great design. It might sound like a few other venues, but The Palace really was perfect & like no other.
I first heard about the rumour about the venue closing or relocating about a year or so ago. A lot of fans had started petitions, sites & pages against this. However it seems it wasn’t enough.
I was lucky enough to see The Prodigy twice at The Palace, in 2005 & 2009 I believe… I think in 2005 it was still the AONO Tour (I cannot remember…), which was one of the best gigs ever. I got to experience a lot of AONO tracks live. Also Kool Keith made a special appearance during Diesel Power & Smack My Bitch Up. Then 2009 when it was 50 degrees in the venue. I wasn’t even dancing, I was at the back at the bar onlooking the stage. Taking it all in. I remember being so hot that I was sweating just standing. It was just hell hot. Some of you might remember during this time we had the devastating bush fires which The Prodigy also dedicated a video to, the video also has a little footage from The Palace:
So, the historic music venue set to close Saturday 31 May. China-based Jinshan Investments is taking over to build a hotel and apartments.
The Palace’s General Manager Greg Young confirmed to theMusic.com.au that it was the end for the venue, and they would no longer be continuing their search for a potential new space.
It’s just such a huge blow for the live music scene here and for me. Knowing I’ll never see The Prodigy live at The Palace is so disappointing.
Danny Fanboy.