The Open Dawn blogRunning a better room, one night at a time.

Straight, practical writing for Perth venue managers: what actually fills a quiet night, how live music and DJs earn their keep, and the small things that turn a good room into a busy one. No pitch, just what we have learned running entertainment for hospitality.

Live vs playlist

Live Music vs a Spotify Playlist for a Venue: What Changes in the Room

Live music vs a playlist for your venue. A playlist fills the silence, a live act gives people a reason to stay, and here is what actually changes in the room when a human plays it.

31 August 2026·4 min read
Choosing the act

How to Choose Live Music for Your Venue: Why Energy Beats Genre

How to choose live music for your venue: match the act's energy to the room and the night, not the genre. The energy-first way to book, day-part by day-part, for Perth venues.

24 August 2026·4 min read
Filling the week

How to Fill a Quiet Midweek Night at Your Venue

A quiet Tuesday is a programming problem, not a demand problem. How Perth venues fill soft midweek nights with recurring formats people plan their week around.

27 July 2026·5 min read
Music licensing

Do I need a licence to play music in my bar?

Yes, and your personal Spotify account won't cover it. What OneMusic actually covers, what it really costs, and the risk of running an unlicensed playlist.

22 July 2026·4 min read