It’s incredibly sad to see the Phoenix Public House closing its doors this week. The venue quickly established itself as a powerhouse of live music in the north and in its short life span has played host to a plethora of amazing gigs and has been responsible for many raucous nights, bad dancing, painful hangovers and endless random bruises. Thanks for the good times Paris Martine & Co. Sydney Rd will not be the same without you.

Luke Benge’s new project Rohypnotise made their live debut at the Phoenix on Saturday and their particular brand of chilled out dream pop made for pleasant listening. The band had a very relaxed vibe and while they aren’t the liveliest bunch I’ve ever seen, the strength of their music was obvious during the last few songs that I arrived in time to see. They were a fun, technically accomplished band who are definitely worth keeping an eye on.

The Phoenix Public House is quickly becoming my favourite band room in town with their cheap liquor selection and eclectic mix of both local and international talents that grace the stage. Saturday night they played host to two of the more interesting acts that operate far outside the boundaries of Triple J’s far reaching, commercially driven bubble.

Noah Taylor and the Sloppy Boys put on a sideshow between appearances at Homebake and Grinderman supports at Phoenix Public House in Melbourne, with support from Money For Rope. Michael Christian was there to take photos.