Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders is encouraging music venues across the region to apply for support to host a gig as part of the Great Southern Nights event in November.
The program will feature 1000 COVID-safe gigs across the state in an effort to boost the live music industry, which has suffered enormously as a result of the pandemic.
“There are locations across the Dubbo electorate that have shown before they have the capability to host events like this,” Mr Saunders said.
“Mudgee has hosted A Day On The Green and Dubbo has hosted The Red Hot Summer Tour and Triple J’s One Night Stand so I am hopeful our region can be showcased through the Great Southern Nights festival.
“Of course there is a need for events to abide by COVID protocols, but the advantage we have at our venues is space and the ability to allow for physical distancing.”
Headline artists already secured for Great Southern Nights include Jimmy Barnes, Birds of Tokyo, Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly, The Presets, Amy Shark, Tones and I and The Veronicas, with further announcements to follow soon.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Australian-first initiative had already attracted widespread industry support.
“The response to Great Southern Nights has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s clear that this game-changing event will have a huge impact on many industries which is why we want 50 per cent of gigs to be in regional NSW and the other half in greater Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.
Applications for Great Southern Nights close on Friday 14 August. Venues are reminded to complete their COVID-Safe plan and register as COVID-safe via www.NSW.gov.au/covid-19/covid-safe-businesses. Apply to be part of the program at www.greatsouthernnights.com.au