Keeping the Music Alive: Joel Morrison and The Old Bar's Legacy

With performances seven nights a week, The Old Bar, or The Oldie as it's better known, is a cornerstone of Victoria’s music scene. 

We spoke with Joel Morrison, co-owner and booker, to discuss his journey, the venue's impact, and its ongoing legacy.

How did you get involved with The Old Bar?

The Old Bar was already a venue for six years by the time we took it over in 2007. I’d always been involved in Melbourne's music scene from a young age – seeing shows, playing in bands, writing fanzines, having a radio show, and slowly just morphed into booking shows. Liam and Singa (Oldie co-owners) had already started the Afterdark in Thornbury, and I joined them as the booker there for a while. When Old Bar came on the market, we took the chance to upgrade to one of our favourite bars.

What was the philosophy behind The Old Bar when you took it over?

Since Liam and I played in a band together and music was our key concern, we focused on making it the best place for musicians to play and for people to see bands. The Oldie already had a decent reputation, and we worked on making it even better – putting in a PA, getting in-house soundies, great staff, working with bands to promote their shows, and handpicking bands to play. Our guiding principle is quality over genre. We also wanted to create a place where someone could come by themselves to see a band and feel safe and welcome.

How has The Old Bar evolved since then?

Superficially, quite a lot. We've raised the stage three times and improved the sound system. When we first started, the stage was barely a step up, with a tiled floor and just a vocal PA. While I’m nostalgic for those DIY years, the sound we have now is just great. Despite the renovations, the place is still similar to when we started – seven nights a week live music, music-oriented bar, good times, late nights, no cocktails, no food – just a real music dive bar.

Can you share some standout shows you've had?

There have been so many over the years. Some of the bigger ones with internationals were wild – Future Of The Left secret show, The Pretty Things midweek show, The Dwarves, Kid Congo, Charlie Parr was an early one that was really good as he kept coming back for a while. Locally, there have been way too many to list. But I still love the quieter gigs where a band plays to ten people and blows everyone away. That feels extra intimate and special.

Are there any bands or artists you've helped launch that you're particularly proud of?

I’m proud of Oldie for helping them on their way, but these bands would’ve all got bigger eventually. The special ones for us, because we’re good mates and they helped raise the Oldie up too, would be Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Graveyard Train, Peep Tempel, Brothers Grim, Twin Beasts (Toot Toot Toots), Skyscraper Stan & The Commission Flats, Courtney Barnett, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Smith St Band, and Camp Cope. Most acts have come across the Oldie stage at some time.

What makes Victoria's music scene unique?

The sheer amount of bands and venues was something we could boast about – multiple venues hosting music seven nights a week, and good quality bands too. Not just open mics and cover bands (though they have their place). But that is slowly going away unless we reinvigorate the scene.

What are some of the challenges running The Old Bar, especially recently?

Costs have increased dramatically for running any business, especially hospitality venues. People's habits have changed, with people drinking less and not going out as much. Covid really whacked the pub culture. The whole culture of meeting at the bar after work has died off a bit. People seem less willing to take a punt on seeing a band they don’t know. Basically, we need people to come and see shows, bands to promote, and talk to bookers who can help them. That’s what we’re here for.

How do you see Victoria’s music scene evolving, and what part do you hope The Old Bar will play in that?

Hopefully, it will continue to grow with more bands, more venues, and more people coming out to support these places and bands. And hopefully, Oldie will continue to host bands seven nights a week. It’s weird to think we’ve been around for over 20 years, but we have. Hopefully for another 20 years too. It’s up to the crowds, really.

Come and support us, support the bands. Take a punt and see a band midweek. It could be one of the best shows you’ll ever see.

Visit The Old Bar at 74-76 Johnston St, Fitzroy, and help ensure that this iconic venue continues to thrive, supporting the next generation of musicians.