BATHURST will seek to build on the success of Sir Elton John's concert at Carrington Park as it takes part in a NSW Government plan to help the state's live music industry emerge from the coronavirus hibernation.
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Great Southern Nights will feature 1000 COVID-safe gigs in Sydney and regional NSW in November, giving Australian artists a welcome boost and reviving live music venues right across the state.
The project has been developed in conjunction with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) to support the recovery of the live music, entertainment and hospitality industries.
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Some of the biggest names in Australian music - including Jimmy Barnes, Birds of Tokyo, Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly and Tones and I - have signed up to play gigs, while live music venues, performers and fans all have the chance to register their interest in becoming involved.
Bathurst Regional Council has wasted no time in declaring its excitement, with mayor Bobby Bourke saying it was a great opportunity to again promote the region.
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"I've spoken to the director of finance who said we have registered to be part of Great Southern Nights, which is great news," Cr Bourke said.
"What we might get we don't know but we have told them that the BMEC (Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre) is available for some sort of event or, if they can supply some funding for staging, then we could even go back to Carrington Park.
"We're always trying to promote Bathurst and get people coming here and while whatever event we might be able to host in November will naturally be on a smaller scare to Elton John, it would be brilliant just to get people together again."
Cr Bourke said his preference would be for an event at Carrington Park.
"Especially with no rugby league going ahead this year it would be good to have something at Carrington to again show people what we have there," he said.
"We've spent a lot of money on that facility and we can put on some great events there."
- READ MORE: Faces from the crowd at Sir Elton John's Bathurst concert | Photos
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Great Southern Nights gigs would be a welcome antidote to the challenges presented by COVID-19, bushfires and the prolonged drought.
"This celebration of outstanding Australian artists and incredible live music venues across NSW gives us all something to look forward to, from event-goers to industry," Mr Ayres said.
"We'll be able to get out and see Sydney and regional NSW come to life with some of Australia's top acts ... alongside emerging artists in unexpected places.
Go to www.greatsouthernnights.com.au for more information.
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