There may be a handful of other contenders for the title, but for Shane Hilton The Tote Hotel is “the epicentre of Australian music”. That’s why he and partner Leanne Chance – owners and operators of The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar – have spent the past month campaigning to save the iconic Collingwood live music venue from probable closure and development. “The Tote is very special for the community,” Hilton tells Broadsheet. “To me, it is Melbourne music.”

Now it’s crunch time for the couple’s aptly named Pozible fundraiser: – The Last Chance to Save The Tote. If Hilton and Chance can raise enough pledged donations by 3pm on Thursday April 6, they’re in with a chance to buy the pub – and ensure it stays a “live music venue forever”.

Known for hosting iconic Aussie acts like Paul Kelly, Magic Dirt, Silverchair, You Am I, Rowland S Howard and the Birthday Party, The Tote has also nurtured current Melbourne talent including Amyl & the Sniffers, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Clamm, RVG and Tropical Fuck Storm.

We think you might like Access. For $12 a month, join our membership program to stay in the know.

SIGN UP

News of the sale came on March 1, when current owners Sam Crupi and Jon Perring – who took on The Tote with late business partner Andy Portokallis in 2010 – announced their exit plans on Instagram.

The trio originally bought the business after an estimated 20,000 Melburnians joined in the Slam (Save Live Australian Music) rally protesting liquor-licensing changes that threatened the venue’s survival. Now, after the stresses of multiple lockdowns, Crupi and Perring say they no longer have the stamina to continue. “We signed up to save The Tote once, not expecting to have to do it twice,” they announced via Instagram.

Hilton says their position is understandable. He and Chance had been mulling over the idea of buying the business for some time (“I’ve wanted to run The Tote since I was 16,” he tells Broadsheet). But now the deal involves buying the building, too, and the estimated price tag of $6 million to $6.6 million is out of their range. “It’s probably going to go to a developer – it’s priced at that point,” Hilton says.

But, as the campaign name suggests, a chance remains to save The Tote, and it feels right that the solution may be crowdsourced. “The Tote belongs to the community,” Hilton says. “So we thought if we can raise half the asking price through the community, we would put the venue in trust so it can remain a live music venue forever.”

And it seems Crupi and Perring endorse the plan, posting this on The Tote’s Instagram: “When the best in the business want to save The Tote, you listen.”

Right now, the campaign is accepting pledges towards a $3 million goal needed to purchase the pub. (Hilton and Chance have the other $3 million-plus covered through savings, loans from family and friends, and “a shitload of debts with banks”.)

Like all good crowdfunding campaigns, there’s merch and prizes on offer. A pledge of $60 or more secures a commemorative T-shirt; pledges over $500 score swag and your name on the wall of The Tote bandroom; $1000 or more makes you a “lifetime member” of The Tote and Last Chance; and $25,000 will get you a personalised bar stool.

Additionally, Hilton is having the names of all lifetime members tattooed on his body. He’s got around 60 or 70 so far, and there are hundreds more needed before the end of the week. There are a few eccentric monikers among the regular names – “Dildo Noodle” and “Doctor Love” are standouts, Hilton says. But he’s taking each new inking with pride, and hopes the stunt will add momentum to his crusade.

Monies pledged now are due on May 1 only if the deal is successful. If all goes to plan, Hilton and Chance intend to futureproof the venue by turning it over to a charitable trust, with “lawyers, caveats, red tape … the whole fucking shebang”.

For Hilton, The Last Chance To Save The Tote campaign is about securing Melbourne’s live music legacy – and its future.

“Live music venues have given me a life. And I want to keep that going for younger generations – it needs to be there for future bands, future musicians and future punters,” he says.

“Every band we’ve ever had in the past 40 years that has made any impact – whether that’s internationally, nationally, or just in their local neighbourhood – has come through The Tote. So we need to keep that alive.”

The Pozible campaign is open now for “donations big and small”. And there’s a live-streamed pledge drive – including local bands and musicians – planned for Monday April 3 and Tuesday April 4, with details to be announced via the Last Chance Instagram.

“We need the community to do this because no one else will,” Hilton concludes. “Unfortunately, there are people out there who want to make money by ripping down something that should belong to the community. So even if you can only afford 10 bucks, pledge 10 bucks. If you can afford a life membership, buy life membership. We need everyone involved or we’re going to lose it. The Tote could be gone forever.”

pozible.com/profile/the-last-chance-to-save-the-tote
@thelastchancerockandrollbar