As the COVID-19 pandemic looks to disrupt annual ANZAC Day observances, some of the country’s biggest musicians are coming together for a massive live-streamed concert on Saturday night.
There’s no doubting the fact that the last two months has seen the Australian live scene turn into something of a ghost town due to lockdowns inspired by the current global pandemic.
As mass gatherings are banned, the chances of people getting together for even a casual catch-up – let alone a live concert – have become slim. To combat this though, numerous livestreamed concerts have sprung up, with the Isol-Aid festival, the One World: Together at Home series, and more providing music-fans with intimate performances during these difficult times.
Now, with ANZAC Day set to take place on Saturday, April 25th, another massive lineup of local musicians have been announced for a televised series of performances.
JUST ANNOUNCED 🇦🇺🇳🇿 Music From The Home Front
This Saturday night, the Aus & NZ music community joins together for a very special one-off broadcast special on an Anzac Day like no other.https://t.co/tgNDxTvOh0 | #HomeFront pic.twitter.com/pQ4VNWEeAw
— Frontier Touring (@frontiertouring) April 22, 2020
Set to air on the Nine Network from 7:30pm local time (and simultaneously shown on Three at 9:30pm local time in New Zealand), the Music From the Home Front series of concerts were organised by Frontier Touring’s Michael Gudinski and iconic Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes.
“Throughout history music has helped people through times of hardship,” Gudinski explained in a statement.
“Music From The Home Front is about uniting Australian and New Zealanders through the power of music in a time that we all need a bit of hope and happiness.”
With a star-studded lineup on the cards, viewers will be treated to performances from Jimmy Barnes, Paul Kelly, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Courtney Barnett, Ben Lee, Missy Higgins, Delta Goodrem, and more, with many names still to be announced.
While it’s unknown whether or not the series of performances will be broadcast online, the event differs from many other similar events in that it is not run with the intent of raising funds for charity, but “rather it is an opportunity for our nations to be united by music and celebrate the things that bring us together”.
Music From the Home Front
Ben Lee
Birds of Tokyo (With the West Australian Symphony Orchestra)
Courtney Barnett
Dave Dobbyn
Delta Goodrem
G Flip
Ian Moss
Jimmy Barnes
Kevin Parker (Tame Impala)
Marlon Williams
Missy Higgins
Paul Kelly
The Rubens
Vance Joy
Vika & Linda Bull
The Wiggles
With many more to be announced…
Saturday, April 25th
7:30pm (local time), Nine Network, Australia
9:30pm (local time), Three, New Zealand
