It's not quite the day the music died, but as many Queensland nightclubs prepare to open with the further easing of COVID restrictions from tomorrow (3 July), clubbers will be forced to remain seated with dance floors off limits.
The industry is generally pleased as further restrictions ease, with most bars who've been operating the past few weeks (with table service only and restricted seating) able to now offer bar service and increased capacities as well as live music.Though others are more than a little perplexed with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's remarks that clubbers can attend nightclubs but must "sit down [to] enjoy the music".
The Met and GPO posted the following statment to Facebook, linking to a sound byte from the Premier: "As a venue, the health and safety of our staff and customers is paramount, which is why we have willingly followed the guidelines and all the medical advice to date.
"It has hurt so many of our Met-GPO family, none more so than our staff (many of whom do not qualify for JobKeeper). As a management team, we have often felt helpless in our inability to help our young vulnerable staff get through this pandemic. To say we are disappointed with the Premier mocking our industry, staff and young people in general is an understatement.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk MP you should be ashamed."
With seated nightclubs seemingly in for now, Matt Okine and Alex Dyson, on their The All Day Breakfast podcast, are looking at things with a half-glass-full approach, whipping together a little musical montage: Songs To Sit Down To.
