“We really wanted to give thanks to our regular crews who are going to be showcasing some local and international talent,” she says. “We felt that five years was a bit of a milestone, so after extensive planning, we decided to do five different parties, with five different crews throughout the week to celebrate our birthday. Over the last five years we’ve had some great events! We have seen some corkers that’s for sure! The memory is still a little bit fuzzy but some of the highlights have definitely been having acts like The Gaslamp Killer, The Temper Trap EP launch, Flying Lotus and DJ Craze. I think what really knocked our socks off the most, though, was Amp Fiddler’s intimate live performance with his band in tow – it was truly mind-blowing! I think if we were able to bring over anyone international of our choice, it would be a tough choice! The office is split on that one! I think it would be a close call between Prince and Britney – the messed-up version!”
As Hadjimouratis adds, over the last five years Miss Libertine has also featured acts of just about every genre under the sun, but it was the Favela Rock night that has tended to draw the biggest crowds and has so far proven to be the biggest success for Miss Libs. “We have seen many genres come and go over those years, from drum and bass to indie-rock, but by far the most successful regular night would be Favela Rock, which is Melbourne’s premier hip hop night. After five years at Miss Libertine, and now coming into their sixth birthday as well, they still definitely manage to pack out the venue every time and they blow the roof right off Miss Libertine every month! We have hosted pretty much every style of music and even art that you can imagine, from dancehall to dubstep, to burlesque to live graff as well. And at the same time, all the while we’ve been able to make a great parma and a top local brew all under the same roof! All jokes aside, though, we really always have wanted to create a place for people where all types of music and people of all walks of life would feel comfortable being in. Who knows what the future will hold for us from now on, but we do hope that we always stay true to that ideal.”
The future is, no doubt, bright for one of Melbourne’s leading venues, but its past is just as intriguing with the building holding the title of the CBD’s oldest hotel still remaining, according to Hadjimouratis.
“Well, the venue was originally called The Macs Hotel and it is the oldest hotel left in the central business district, and it is resting at 158 years young right now,” says the venue manager. “Work is constantly going into Miss Libs and you would never believe how much gaffa tape there is keeping the place together! As far the Miss Libs crew goes, it started with four mates who wanted to branch out and to do something a little bit different from the other venues. Now we have ended up with a great bunch of staff, and some of which are now also sharing their fifth anniversary here at Miss Libs together with us!”
