[MUSIC NEWS] Campaign To Save THE BLACK WREATH Launched

Award winning DIY music community The Black Wreath have launched a ambitious crowd-funding campaign to save the home of live music in Central Australia. The venue has been built by the community over ten years and is the lifeblood of the remote music scene. The Pozible campaign has already raised over $100k AUD in its first 24 hours.

The Black Wreath is a venue, rehearsal space and recording studio under one roof. It was built as response to the lack of facilities in the remote town of Alice Springs. It’s now the only resource of it’s kind for some of the most remote and disadvantaged bands in the country.

“As an aspiring musician growing up in the middle of Australia, opportunities were dismal. No rehearsal spaces, no venues and bands rarely toured here. The Black Wreath was created to change all of that. Over the last fifteen years, that’s exactly what we’ve done. It’s been a constant uphill battle against the obstacles of our location. We persevere because music changes lives and venues are the spaces where communities thrive” – Pirate

In 2025 The Black Wreath hosted over 400 artists from ten different countries across a year-round calendar of events. They are the crew behind Blacken Open Air, the countries first ever heavy metal camp out festival, which won Festival of the Year at the 2026 NT Music Awards. Blacken now attracts international artists and fans, and contributes millions to the Northern Territory economy.

The Black Wreath is a true success story for regional arts. What began out of frustration, has grown into a crucial pillar of the industry. The Black Wreath sustains a thriving local scene that sees international artists visiting year round, while championing regional bands nationally. The Black Wreath has been crucial in launching the careers of artists like Southeast Desert Metal, Mulga Bore Hard Rock, and many more.

Southeast Desert Metal, who hail from the remote community of Ltyentye Apurte, are known as the most isolated touring band in the world. They’ve released albums and film clips, programmed RAGE, and even performed at the Sydney Opera House.

“For remote bands The Black Wreath is our home. It’s the only place we can rehearse, record and share our stories. We’ve toured all over the country. That’s all thanks to The Black Wreath. We don’t wanna lose this space.” Chris Wallace from Southeast Desert Metal

The Pozible campaign to raise the funds has a unique spin on it. The organisers have announced a trilogy of upcoming festivals across Australia: Blacken Open Air will return to Central Australia in April 2027, for its tenth edtion, before moving to Victoria for a New Years Eve gathering at the end of next year.

A third, world first event is taking place in July 2028, coinciding with the Great Australasian Total Solar Eclipse. The Black Wreath are promising a global gathering, in the line of totality with the ultimate heavy metal headliner: The moon blackening the sun. Tickets to all three festivals are being sold as part of the Pozible crowdfunding campaign.

“The Black Wreath is a lifeline for remote artists, and the heart of the community. Join us on the heavy music journey of a lifetime and help us save the most remote music scene in the country.”

With a million dollar goal, the plan to save the venue is highly ambitious, but with such a strong start, they may just succeed.