The evolution of Canberra’s first superclub and its impact on a generation
A generation of clubbers spent their weekends at Academy Nightclub and its impact ultimately helped shape the city and its people. This is the untold story of Canberra’s first superclub. Nothing like it had been seen in Australia at the time, a venue so ambitious most thought it wouldn't last a year. Over 15 years the club evolved through vinyl, myspace, music festivals and ushered in the rise of EDM. Featuring unearthed video tapes from longtime VJ Jim Medcraft and insights from Chris Fraser, Ashley Feraude, Mikah Freeman and more.
When Canberra’s Centre Cinema closed down in 2003 the community felt it had lost a cultural institution, a socal space that had become part of the fabric of the city. What took its place was Canberra’s first superclub and a venue that ultimately helped shape a generation, its places and its music.
Academy Nightclub’s growth in the mid noughties straddled a new era in technology and the way people consumed music. Ushering in the rise of EDM, VJ’s and dance music festivals like Foreshore and Warehouse. The evolution from vinyl to CD mixing, social media’s impact on promotion and the introduction of streaming platforms changed the way nightclubs were run and Academy was at the forefront of all of that. It set the industry standard for scale, production and sound, in its prime it was a model that was emulated around Australia.
Interviews with the founding DJs, bar staff and owners take us through the history of the iconic night spot. Featuring unearthed video tapes from longtime VJ Jim Medcraft and insights from Chris Fraser, Ashley Feraude, Mikah Freeman and more.
Director and filmmaker Nic Vevers collected over 6 hours of interview footage to put together the 30min history of Canberra’s dance music scene through the noughties and late 2010’s. Over 30hours of never before seen footage from the early years of the Academy's lifetime was collected from Jim Medcrafts, highlighting the golden era of dance music in Australia.
This feature project is brought to you by Mustard Flats, home to Canberra’s only video magazine where you will find all original content direct from the capital. We are looking to build a place to show off Canberra’s finest artists, musicians and creatives as well as learn from the cities leading experts and academics. Exclusively online we hope to create a record of the amazing people and places that make up Canberra’s culture.
Academy has had a huge impact on Canberra’s nightlife landscape. Closing in 2018 it’s legacy still lives on in local institutions started by the club's alumni. Lazy Su, Capital Brewing Co, Kicks Entertainment, Public and Edgars Inn all have their roots in the Academy venue. Not to mention everyone who grew up in the space week after week, where relationships were born, communities developed and artists inspired.
