University of Technology Sydney—present “Spirits of The Hoey”, an immersive public research work that traces the creative trails of Australian music icons at the now-defunct Hopetoun Hotel, a Sydney-based CBGBs. This immersive documentary ‘experience’ will allow an audience to re-engage with the space, exploring original interviews with the leading players of the time. Partly funded by the City of Sydney and the Powerhouse Museum as part of their research fellowship program, the project is written, produced and created by Dr Gregory Ferris and Dr Liz Giuffre at the University of Technology Sydney.
This small venue nurtured musicians and incubated business owners, promoters, label heads, and policymakers who have led their fields globally. The Hoey’s proximity to the city and diverse communities allowed it to support emerging artists, often providing lodging to musicians and employment opportunities behind the bar. Regrettably, the era of poker machines, licensing regulations, and lockout laws led to the abrupt closure of ‘The Hoey’ in 2009, leaving it vacant ever since.
The immersive experience aims to meticulously recreate the hotel’s interior across different floors and eras, using a mix of photogrammetry, 3D modelling and historical building plans from the Powerhouse Museum’s collection. Complementing this visual journey are (to date) 60-plus original interviews with musicians, patrons, staff, and fans, offering first-hand accounts of the vibrant Sydney music scene during the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s. These interviews are enriched by the photographic collection of Bryan Cook, the venue’s unofficial photographer, who has contributed over 3,000 images. Beyond being a nostalgic showcase, this research-based project delves into how the past can inspire the future.
Audiences are encouraged to participate actively, bringing their expectations and experiences while uncovering the hidden histories of Australia’s music scene, with a specific focus on Sydney.
Spirits Of The Hoey 