Amidst an atmosphere of pub rock and cover venues, a 120 capacity basement in downtown Sydney opened it’s doors on May 10, 1972 and fast became a benchmark club for contemporary music – adored by artists and audiences a like.

Primarily a jazz venue, The Basement played host to Galapagos Duck, Vince Jones and Dizzy Gillespie amongst others. When its popularity reached critical mass, the club expanded into a two level space in 1977 and officially arrived as a destination venue – hosting the likes of jazz greats Art Pepper, Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard.

Fast forward a decade to 1988. The venue, an Australian icon, hosting local, national and international contemporary musicians (too many and varied to mention), takes a major left turn when developments to the site see the building torn down.

Forced to close its doors for a few years, The Basement reopened in 1992 in the site in which it remains to this day. Incredibly it’s only a few doors away from it’s birthplace in 1972.

Now a custom-built performance venue, this new and improved Basement grew on its reputation as a home for contemporary and forward thinking music makers. The last 20 years has seen very little change other than the faces on the stage.

Now in its 40^th year, The Basement remains a hub for contemporary music makers and lovers. From jazz to electronica, hip hop to folk, this iconic venue is renowned world wide as perhaps the most famous venue in Sydney’s live music scene.

http://www.thebasement.com.au/