In a move which will have some music promoters up in arms, not to mention students decrying the woes of a conservative swing of the moral pendulum, The Manning Bar in Sydney University, once host of events such as 'Club Lush', 'The Rubber Ball', and bands such as 'Deathstars' and 'Necro', will be changing their entertainment policy to reflect a less-edgey clientel. Also in their proposed operational changes, the University Union will be stopping any 'All Ages' gigs at The Manning Bar, which seems to be both at the behest of the University itself, and pressure from the Police and the NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing.

This means that promoters who place popular (imported or local) acts into the Manning Bar will not be able to count on gigs which cater to a wider-age-ranging fan base to make a profit (let along break even) easily. It also amounts to a censorship of performance policy whereas the Union appears to be coming into line, following the Universities recent attempts to re-brand itself as an Australian 'Ivy League' institution. Thus ensuring that there will be little associated with the venue which could tarnigh that image.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Student's Union has all but abolished the position of 'Entertainment Manager' making those tasks redundant as the Union itself is apparently now handling all the entertainment bookings and will be spending the next (undertermined) period of time re-assessing their guidelines for accepting entertainment acts at the venue.

Cited reasons, by a Student Union representative, for the policy shift include cases of 'violence and alcohol related issues. It seems that once again, the acts of a few have made it difficult for the many to enjoy themselves... I also have to ask what of the 'fetish' events? Is this perhaps some insidious censorship creep associated with (or somehow linked to) the recent Internet censorship debacle still be pushed by the woefully misguided Senator Conroy? Perhaps authorities think that they see the writing on the leather-clad wall and so have decided to push the margin a little to see what the 'give' is... or perhaps I'm just jumping at shadows.....

Either way, it seems that another All Ages venue (and indeed being another 'fetish'-friendly venue) has now been closed to the wider audience.

Original story:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/music/uni-union-says-no-to-risky-rockers/2010/02/17/1266082297661.html