2020 saw our live music industry brought to its knees as COVID-19 turned the lights out on venues across the country. But with the dawning of 2021 the Australian spirit shines bright as our nation unites together in hope of a better year ahead. The roadcases are about to be packed, sound levels checked, and spotlights positioned. Live music is ready to return…and in a most spectacular fashion.

Mushroom Group and Visit Victoria are proud to announce their partnership for 2021 SOUNDS BETTER TOGETHER, an unprecedented series of COVIDSafe concerts across multiple metro and regional venues from Saturday 23 January to Saturday 30 January, featuring some of our finest home-grown talent in some of Australia’s most stunning locations.

From fire recovering Mallacoota, to the rolling vines of Rutherglen and the Yarra Valley, to the sweeping Surf Coast, to the intimacy of Melbourne’s Prince Of Wales Bandroom ; live performances from some of Victoria’s most renowned venues and unique locations will kick off at two of the State’s finest wineries and culminate at Mallacoota Oval on Saturday 30 January.

WATCH THE TV SPECIAL EVENT
7.30PM - SATURDAY 30 JANUARY

Celebrating the return of live shows in THE state of music!

Sat 23 Jan - Mt Duneed, Surf Coast, VIC

Tones and I + Missy Higgins + Gordi + Didirri

Sat 23 Jan - Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC

Jimmy Barnes + The Teskey Brothers + Vika & Linda + Darlinghurst

Sun 24 Jan - Prince Bandroom, St Kilda, VIC

Something For Kate + Hayley Mary

Mon 25 Jan - All Saints Estate, Rutherglen, VIC

Jimmy Barnes + Daryl Braithwaite + Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier + D'Arcy Spiller

Mon 25 Jan - Gershwin Room, Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda, VIC

Alex Lahey + Scott Darlow

Wed 27 Jan - Theatre Royal, Castlemaine, VIC

Ross Wilson + Fergus James

Wed 27 Jan - Forum, Melbourne, VIC

The Living End + Bakers Eddy

Thu 28 Jan - The Whalers Hotel, WARRNAMBOOL, VIC

Didirri + Mia Wray

Fri 29 Jan - Westernport Hotel, San Remo, VIC

Pierce Brothers + Shannen James

Sat 30 Jan - Mallacoota Oval, Mallacoota, VIC

James Reyne + Jon Stevens + Vika & Linda + Mia Wray

Celebrating the return of live shows in THE state of music!

Sat 23 Jan
Mt Duneed Estate
Surf Coast, VIC

Tones and I
Missy Higgins
Gordi
Didirri

Sat 23 Jan
Rochford Wines
Yarra Valley, VIC

Jimmy Barnes
The Teskey Brothers
Vika & Linda
Darlinghurst

Sun 24 Jan
Prince Bandroom
St Kilda, VIC

Something For Kate
Hayley Mary

Mon 25 Jan
All Saints Estate
Rutherglen, VIC

Jimmy Barnes
Daryl Braithwaite
Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier
D'Arcy Spiller

Mon 25 Jan
Gershwin Room, Esplanade Hotel, St Kilda, VIC

Alex Lahey
Scott Darlow

Wed 27 Jan
Forum, Melbourne, VIC

The Living End
Bakers Eddy

Wed 27 Jan
Theatre Royal
Castlemaine, VIC

Ross Wilson
Fergus James

Thu 28 Jan
The Whalers Hotel
WARRNAMBOOL, VIC

Didirri
Mia Wray

Fri 29 Jan
Westernport Hotel
San Remo, VIC

Pierce Brothers
Shannen James

Sat 30 Jan
Mallacoota Oval
Mallacoota, VIC

James Reyne
Jon Stevens
Vika & Linda
Mia Wray

ARTISTS

Alex Lahey

Alex Lahey has a sardonic streak and flair for crafting relatable pop-punk anti-anthems, which has garnered her fans the world over. She broke through in 2016 with the guitar-based ‘You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me’, which serves up equal portions of hooks and attitude, and followed up with two acclaimed studio albums, 2017’s I Love You Like A Brother and 2019’s The Best Of Luck Club.

Bakers Eddy

Formed in Wellington, New Zealand, Bakers Eddy’s fun and fast sound quickly grew them a fanbase off-shore. Relocating to Melbourne in 2017, they’ve covered the festival circuit - NYE on the Hill, Festival Of The Sun, and Party In The Paddock to name a few - and shared stages with the likes of The Rubens, Gang of Youths, The Bennies and many more. Bakers Eddy are gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated debut album in 2021.

D'Arcy Spiller

Darlinghurst

Melbourne-based four-piece Darlinghurst are redefining Australian country music. The band’s debut single ‘Sorry Won't Get You Back’ topped the Country HOT 50 chart on release in 2019. Follow up singles ‘So Long So Long’ and 'Picture Frame' both landed in the Top 5, with latest track ‘Gotta Go Rodeo’ delivering Darlinghurst their second Country #1. The band has taken their captivating live show around the country, wowing audiences at Groundwater Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster Deni Ute Muster, the Tamworth Country Music Festival and more.

Daryl Braithwaite

Responsible for some of Australia’s best-loved songs, from the undeniable ‘The Horses’ to HOWZAT’, ‘One Summer’ and more, Daryl Braithwaite is a local music titan. An ARIA Hall of fame inductee, his latest single ‘Love Songs’ saw the music icon return to the ARIA Singles chart in 2020. Daryl has launched a brand-new chapter in his unparalleled career and will enthrall audiences in Rutherglen and Mallacoota this month.

Deborah Conway + Willy Zieger

Lauded songstress Deborah Conway has been a staple of the Australian music scene since the 80’s, when she made waves fronting pop rock outfit Do-Re-Mi. She’s a multi-ARIA Award winner, has multiple Gold albums her belt, and was inducted into the Live Legends Hall of Fame at the 2019 National Live Music Awards.

Didirri

Returning to his hometown for a special evening of music, Didirri captivates with his live performance. His ethereal vocals, and poetic, candid songwriting are garnering him global attention from fans and critics.

Fergus James

He’s toured with Ed Sheeran, hit the stage at Splendour In The Grass and sold out headline shows around the country; Fergus James is a star on the rise. With his latest single ‘Good Man’, James delivers a world class pop anthem, emerging as a multi-faceted artist ready to take on the world.

Gordi

The latest album by Sydney-via-Canowindra singer/songwriter GORDI (Sophie Payten), Our Two Skins, was nominated for two J Award’s (Australian Album of the Year and Artist of the Year), and an ARIA for Best Adult Contemporary Album in 2020. Ever since her 2017 J Award-nominated debut Reservoir, GORDI has been all over the airwaves, releasing songs with the likes of Troye Sivan, touring with Sam Smith, Julien Baker and Fleet Foxes, and performing with The National, Bon Iver, Damien Rice and more. Plus, she's been keeping very busy with her day job as a doctor, a particularly remarkable feat during COVID!

Hayley Mary

Exploding onto the scene with her debut single ‘The Piss, The Perfume’ in 2019, Hayley Mary has quickly cemented herself as one of nation’s most exciting solo artists. A captivating storyteller with a big voice, her ever growing list of achievements show no sign of slowing down.

James Reyne

James Reyne’s songs have provided the soundtrack to endless Australian summers, and they’ll continue to do so at Mallacoota Oval on the eve of 30 January. With 19 x Top 40 hits across his celebrated career, Reyne is an ARIA Hall of Famer that has sold out shows around the world both solo and out front of the legendary Australian Crawl. His twelfth studio album Toon Town Lullaby was released last year, and sees Reyne focused firmly on the future.

Jimmy Barnes

Mia Wray

In 2020, Mia Wray made a grand debut with her single ‘Work For Me’. Her soulful voice has drawn comparison to the likes of Lorde and Meg Mac, but Mia Wray is carving her own path. Released yesterday, Mia’s new single ‘Never Gonna Be The Same’ is a no-holds-barred ode to empowerment, reinforcing her as a talent to watch in 2021.

Missy Higgins

Missy Higgins’ striking voice, irresistible melodies and ‘arrow through the heart’ lyrics have earned her acclaim and love from fans and critics alike. Our first introduction to Missy came in the form of her phenomenally successful nine-times Platinum debut The Sound of White (‘Scar’, ‘Ten Days’, ‘The Special Two’). In the years since, Missy has topped the charts five times, received nine ARIA Awards and sold more than two million albums globally. At the start of 2020, Missy released ‘Carry You’, written by Tim Minchin for his TV show Upright, and followed up with the stunning ‘When The Machine Starts’, which reflected her experience during Melbourne’s 2020 lockdowns.

Pierce Brothers

For years now twin brothers Jack and Patrick Pierce’s high energy duo Pierce Brothers has been a staple of the Australian indie-folk/blues and roots scene, captivating festival goers and headlining sold out venues the world over. Exploding onto the world stage in 2014, the brothers started their journey as buskers before building audiences and touring the world. Their anticipated sophomore album Into The Great Unknown is due for release on March 5,2021.

Ross Wilson

One of the country’s most respected artists, Ross Wilson is a cornerstone of Australian rock music. With an illustrious career spanning over 50 years, Wilson has been twice inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame; both as a solo artist and as a member of Daddy Cool. From his acclaimed solo work, to fronting Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock, Wilson’s work stands the test of time and with explosive on-stage charisma, he’s set to blow the roof off Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal on Wednesday 27 January.

Scott Darlow

Since entering the Australian music scene in 2003, Yorta Yorta descendent Scott Darlow has been a mainstay of Australia’s Indigenous and independent music industry. The versatile singer-songwriter, guitarist, and didgeridoo player, who signed to Mushroom’s Reclusive Records last year, has sold more than 50,000 albums worldwide and has toured extensively through Australia, Asia and the USA. His just-released single ‘Forgotten Australia’, is a reminder for Australians to embrace their togetherness and come together to celebrate the things that make our country and its people special.

Shannen James

Quickly establishing herself as one of the country’s most exciting new songwriters, Shannen James takes listeners on a dreamy pop journey through the sparkling emotions of youth. Her latest EP Arrows has been embraced by fans and industry alike with radio play across the likes of triple j, triple j unearthed and a combined 2 million Spotify streams.

Something For Kate

The Living End

Australian punk rock royalty, The Living End take on Melbourne’s stunning Forum next week, alongside Bakers Eddy. The trio has released eight studio albums, most recently 2018’s Wunderbar, have an APRA Award and multiple ARIA Awards under their belt, and have notched up multi-Gold and Platinum singles and chart-topping albums. Known for their infectious energy, they’ll bring the heat when they hit the stage on Wednesday 27 January.

The Teskey Brothers

One of Melbourne’s greatest success stories, The Teskey Brothers are a rare musical gem. They’ve earned multiple ARIA Awards for their sophomore album, 2019’s Run Home Slow, which garnered critical acclaim around the world and was named one of the best albums of the year. On stage, singer Josh Teskey’s smoked whisky voice defies expectation as the band around him hold an irresistible groove. A raw combination of soul and blues, the four-piece have wowed audiences around the world with their undeniable live show.

Tones And I

Hailing from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, Tones is Australia’s biggest international success story, a multi-platinum singer-songwriter amassing a record number of global streams of her hit single ‘Dance Monkey’, along with follow up singles ‘Never Seen The Rain’, new single ‘Fly Away’, which is climbing charts globally and more (‘Dance Monkey’ has also taken the crown for the Most Shazamed song of all time!). With a “remarkable voice that can go from hushed to hurricane” (Sydney Morning Herald), Tones And I is without doubt one of the most exciting artists to emerge from Australia in years.

Vika & Linda

Vika and Linda Bull are Australia’s most revered singing sisters, known for their rich vocal harmonies and stylistic breadth. After three classic albums with The Black Sorrows, Vika & Linda have released six studio albums, two live albums and a chart-topping anthology. They have also sung on number one albums by Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers and John Farnham, done gigs for the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and the King of Tonga, and been nominated for four ARIA Awards. And recently, whilst still celebrating the recent release of their first ever best-of collection (and first ARIA #1) ‘Akilotoa (Anthology 1996-2004), Vika & Linda have wasted no time in following up with an inspired album of gospel songs titled Sunday (The Gospel According To Iso), out now (ARIA #2).

A COVIDSafe event plan has been approved by the Victorian Public Health Advisory Panel, Chief Health Officer (CHO) and the Major Events Taskforce.

To ensure a COVIDSafe event the following will be implemented:

Outdoor venues:

  • Reduced capacity shows
  • Digital tickets – this ensures all contact details are recorded even when a ticket is forwarded or sold to another patron.
  • Regular touchpoint cleaning
  • Additional Bar, Food & Sanitary facilities – to minimise queuing
  • Additional Staffing – Security and Event staff to help manage social distancing onsite
  • COVIDSafe officer to ensure compliance
  • Hand Sanitiser stations
  • Increased communications to patrons and staff
  • Event staff health check and training
  • “Buy together to stay together” – Shows will be reserved allocated seating only (we have increased the row widths to ensure social distancing between groups)

Indoor venues:

Events will be operating in a COVIDSafe environment. For full details please contact the individual venues directly.

Important COVID Information: Given the current locations of outbreaks in the NSW region, anyone coming into Victoria from the NSW border region should check the NSW Health website and follow the instructions listed. Individuals cannot attend if they have been outside the NSW bubble region.

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