Spread the love

The NSW Government is amplifying its support for the return of live music, backing two major concerts at Qudos Bank Arena for more than 12,000 fans in total as part of Great Southern Nights.

The new events – Greatest Southern Nights – will be headlined by Ocean Alley and Bernard Fanning on Saturday 28 November and Saturday 5 December respectively, with each concert hosting more than 6,000 music-lovers in a fully seated, COVID-safe setting.

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Greatest Southern Nights aligned with the NSW Government’s ambition to kick start the state’s economic recovery, create jobs and drive visitation and spending through major events.

“NSW has led Australia in reigniting the live music industry through Great Southern Nights, and now we are excited to announce these landmark concerts that will be the hottest tickets in the country,” Minister Ayres said.

“More than 12,000 fans will return to Qudos Bank Arena over two nights to enjoy performances by some of Australia’s finest musicians, who join over 2,500 artists performing in 300-plus venues across Sydney and more than 130 NSW towns as part of Great Southern Nights.

“The NSW Government is proud to be getting artists, roadies, venues, hospitality staff and tourism businesses back to work and we hope this heralds the safe return of major indoor arena events.”

Joining Ocean Alley on 28 November are Jack River, Ruby Fields and Jack Botts, while Bernard Fanning will be joined by special guests Matt Corby and Merci, Mercy for the 5 December concert. Tickets are available Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 November via www.greatsouthernnights.com.au.

Geoff Jones, Chief Executive of Promoter TEG, said the Greatest Southern Nights concerts are part of a crucial push to reboot the live performance industry and thanked the NSW Government and Destination NSW for their strong leadership and support.

“These shows are vital for our industry because they will show that we can stage large-scale live concerts safely and that Australians cannot wait to get out and share great live entertainment experiences with their friends and family,” said Mr Jones.

“We have seen the successful and safe return of large crowds to major live sporting events and it is time for live music to make a return at scale at a world-class venue, Qudos Bank Arena, which we will operate in a capped COVID-Safe capacity for these shows.”

Roger Field, President co-promoter Live Nation, said these concerts would not be possible without the support of the NSW Government and Destination NSW.

“After eight long months of zero arena shows, these concerts will see great musicians bring thousands of fans back together. Not only will these two wonderful nights of entertainment deliver significant employment but they are sure to inject a vital economic boost to our industry and the NSW economy.”

Bernard Fanning said: “I’m so happy to be part of the reopening of the live music scene in NSW. It’s a great opportunity to get people safely together again, but just as importantly, to give the music industry workers whose lives have been so upended by COVID, a chance to get back to doing what they do best.”

Ocean Alley said: “We’re absolutely stoked to be getting back on stage as part of Great Southern Nights. We’ve missed every part of touring – last year we spent every other day in a new city, so it’s exciting to see live music making a comeback in NSW. The opportunity to headline Qudos Bank Arena in our hometown makes this show that extra bit more special for us, and we can’t wait to finally play our latest album Lonely Diamond in a live setting.”

The Greatest Southern Nights concerts are supported by the NSW Government via Destination NSW and form part of the Great Southern Nights program delivered by the NSW Government in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).

Ticketek Australia is the only authorised seller of Greatest Southern Nights tickets and music-lovers are reminded not to pay more than the prices listed.