Popular performance venue shuts its doors
Flow Bar had an anarchic feel, was popular with those who supported emerging artists, and has now closed after four years.
A popular underground club known for promoting emerging artists has closed after four years.
Owners Craig Murray and Hayden Lang have decided not to renew the lease on the Flow Bar, which has seen international acts, well-known national performers, and local DJs.
Craig, 33, said it was time for a change.
“We did four years and think it’s a good time to move on.
“Flow has put Hayden and I through the highs and lows of life to be honest, it’s not easy running a small business in Hamilton with a niche market.”
However, Craig said one of the best parts of his job was promoting emerging artists.
“Whether they are an aspiring DJ or band, we pretty much just gave them an opportunity.”
Long-time DJ Greg Stack described the closure as a “bitter-sweet” ending.
“It was a place where people didn’t care about race, religion, politics, the size of your muscles, your ability to shuffle or your sexuality – it was anarchy located just a few feet underground.
“The city is now in dire need of a liberal venue large enough to take international and national acts but small enough to allow a new generation of bands and DJs to use the space without having to rely on commercial music to bring in punters.
“What Hamilton needs now is a blank canvas – for a new generation, for the good of the whole city, for a new mural.”
Many regular Flow DJs have gone on to bigger things: Knights of the Dub Table and Tui Soundsystem have both put out albums and toured New Zealand.
Flow Bar local Christie Price, 21, said it seemed like the end of an era for her.
“I don’t think any other club in Hamilton could replace it.”
