Central music venue The Aftermath has appealed for support as it seeks to settle accumulated back rent as part of a newly negotiated lease agreement with its landlord.
The community space opened seven years ago on Wyndham Street as a hub for independent artists, underground music, comedy, theatre and film screenings. But having weathered the city’s Covid-19 restrictions, it is now putting on a series of events to help tackle its rental deficit.
“Without the resources to relocate, this moment has become make-or-break for one of the city’s few remaining truly independent live music spaces,” a press release on Sunday said. “The Aftermath is calling on everyone who believes independent music venues matter – not just as businesses, but as cultural spaces where artists meet, scenes form, and communities are built.”
Founder Alicia Beale told HKFP on Tuesday that the venue offers an opportunity for the arts community to foster new talent: “If we closed, I think it would continue without us – but I do believe we try hard to be an open and safe space that provides reasonable availability and pricing for local promoters to host international musicians that connect the HK music community other the broader world,” she said.
Small livehouses have long faced challenges in Hong Kong. Hidden Agenda, a popular indie spot, was raided by authorities in 2017 before rebranding as This Town Needs, which closed in 2020. The team has since staged events at venues like MacPherson Stadium and PORTAL.
The loss of the medium-sized Kowloon Bay venue due to a redevelopment plan was also a blow to independent gig organisers.
Beale said that remaining venues are finding ways to survive: “I think it is just a hard market. Many different venues have tried different business models – like Simpson Space is party room that holds live music shows as private parties, and Chez Trente works similarly. MOM Live House does flat rentals and has a full restaurant. The Wanch keeps trying to fine tune to find it’s magic recipe too for staying alive.”
On June 5, it will host a night of folk, rock and indie music featuring featuring Mr Koo, The Pineapple Jam, The Lockouts, and Levelling Out. Four other events – including a “battle of the bands” – are planned for June to help support the venue.
