NSW Government announces Great Southern Nights project to help get live music back on stage by November 2020 with Tones & I, Jimmy Barnes, Paul Kelly, Amy Shark, The Presets, Birds of Tokyo, Missy Higgins, The Veronicas and more already signed up.
At the beginning of 2020 it looked like a bumper year for Australian music fans, with an abundance of amazing concerts and festivals being announced daily across the country. But when COVID-19 hit the tide turned completely, with these daily announcements bleakly telling us instead of the latest cancellations, breaking the hearts of fans and artists alike.
And it is no secret that the entertainment and hospitality industries have suffered terribly from the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of job and income loss. Each cancellation or postponement takes away not just the income of the feature artists and support acts, but also that of the roadies, venues, hospitality staff and many more who work behind the scenes to make any concert, festival or gig a smashing success.
So, as we emerge from our isolation bubbles, with limits on group gatherings gradually being eased, it’s exciting to see the NSW Government announcing the Great Southern Nights project, which aims to bring 1000 COVID-safe gigs to Sydney and regional NSW in November 2020 to help “kick start the recovery of music, entertainment and hospitality industries”. A smart and safe way to help get artists back on stage and the public out enjoying live music and getting the chance to support the music artists they love.
Already Australian music legends including Jimmy Barnes, Birds Of Tokyo, Missy Higgins, The Jungle Giants, Paul Kelly, Thelma Plum, The Presets, Amy Shark, Tash Sultana, The Teskey Brothers, Tones And I and The Veronicas are on board. Plus the Great Southern nights project invites all bands and venues to register to be involved.
Australia’s Paul Kelly will be playing live as part of the Great Southern Nights project
The event is a NSW Government initiative, delivered by its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW in partnership with ARIA. For further details read the full NSW Government event announcement.
Register your interest to perform, host or attend one of the gigs at Great Southern Nights website.
