After years of venues closing down and fewer taking risks on original music, things are beginning to look up.

Renovations and a change of management at The Whaler's Hotel look set to return it to the days of old, with regular south-west band showcases already happening at the hotel and popular Australian group Thirsty Merc booked to perform at the re-opening of the downstairs section.

Out the highway, the Flying Horse Bar & Brewery is set to continue bringing big-name acts to Warrnambool, starting with Dead Letter Circus next month.

But all eyes have been on The Loft lately, with news that it was set to change hands worrying punters and musos alike who feared the city's last bastion of original live music may be underthreat.

New owner-manager Jarrod Hawker, who is expecting to take over the venue in the next couple of weeks, assured The Loft's devoted following that nothing will change in the near future.

"The Loft has always been the home of original live music in Warrnambool and it will stay that way," he said.

"It's about more than just established acts too - this place is the breeding ground for tomorrow's acts."

Hawker, who has played with local bands including It's Your Thing and The Duffmen and now plays drums for The 80 Aces, praised the efforts of previous Loft owners Ben Russell and Ben Woonton in making the venue what it is today.

"They took a bit of a leap of faith... and provided opportunities for bands (and punters)."

Woonton is now bar manager across the road at The Whalers Hotel, where he is helping oversee renovations that he hopes will bring more potential for original gigs.

"We'll be closed downstairs for two weeks in August and will re-open upstairs in October," he said.

"We're looking at having live music upstairs and downstairs."

The Whalers has already increased its support of local music by hosting showcase gigs once a month in conjunction with the people behind the South West Music Festival.

"And over summer... we'll be looking at putting on more local original music," Woonton said.

Meanwhile, the Flying Horse is looking to capitalise on its capacity with more big name bands over the summer months, following on from appearances by You Am I and Bluejuice earlier this year.

Owner-manager Matthew Monk said it was always a risk putting on original gigs but he said that is punters continued to support them, they would continue to do them.

"Warrnambool shouldn't miss out (on seeing these acts)," he said.

"Some people get bemused as to why the gigs are on mid-week or a Sunday but often it's about fitting in with tour arrangements."

He said the venue had hosted the likes of James Reyne, Jon Stevens and artists of a similar ilk, so to put on the Bluejuice gig "was a risk for us but it worked out really well".

Hawker said he didn't see the other venues getting on board with original music as a bad thing.

"It's like having three good restaurants or coffee shops coming to town at one time - everyone's appreciation of good food and coffee improves," he said.

"Here it's about people's expectations of seeing live music increasing. It's all supporting the entertainment sector of our town."

Coming up