Great Southern Nights is one of the most exciting live music programs this year, bringing music of all different types to stages across New South Wales.
The scope is mammoth and the acts are top-notch; you’ll be able to throw a stick from your backyard, and hit a venue that’s putting on a Great Southern Nights show.
Going down from March 18 to April 10, Great Southern Nights will bring the biggest Aussie artists – everyone from Jimmy Barnes to Northlane – to venues across New South Wales. The perfectly curated line-up boasts a huge range of musos up everyone’s alley.
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With the world feeling madder than it ever has, there’s no better escape than music. Heading to a local gig, meeting some like-minded fans and basking in the tunes of some great local musos is exactly what the doctor’s ordered.
There’s also no question that the music industry has faced an enormous struggle over the last few years, which makes the scale of Great Southern Nights particularly impressive. It’s set to create a plethora of work, not only for musos, but roadies, sound staff, and everyone focused around putting on a killer live gig. In short, it’s a great project that we should all support.
Fans from across Australia are invited, and in a celebration of the state’s beauty, shows are happening in some of the most beautiful places in the world. The program includes a variety of shows in regional areas, focusing a large chunk out of the major cities. Great Southern Nights have curated a line-up that covers a bevy of different genres, eras and personalities, so today we’re diving into it all and seeing what’s on offer and where.
Great Southern Nights also have an awesome gig guide feature set up on their website, so you check out the closest show near you here. With hundreds of gigs happening in towns right across NSW, there’s bound to be one near you….
Sydney’s suburbs will be ignited by Great Southern Nights, transforming into live music hotspots with performers like Kate Ceberano in Bankstown and Jimmy Barnes in Rooty Hill.
There’ll also be music from Indie electronica extraordinaires Crooked Colours, who’ll be hitting The Metro, as will the powerfully energetic live show of Haiku Hands. The mesmerising Kira Piru can be caught at The Red Rattler in Marrickville. If you want to be part of an epic ‘Horses’ singalong you’re flush with options; Daryl Braithwaite will be playing at Norths in Cammeray and the Shoal Bay Country Club.
If you’re south of the border with our Victorian audience, don’t fret. Great Southern Nights is all about providing the perfect roadtrip; you can plan it all here. Albury, in particular, is hosting some phenomenal gigs: The Jungle Giants, San Cisco, Julia Stone, JK-47, Thirsty Merc and Illy all set to delight the Murray region.
The stunning Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions will also be transformed into Great Southern Nights hubs, with Odette hitting the Baroque Room in Katoomba, and Client Liaison bringing their party vibe to the Drifter’s Wharf stage in Gosford.
Regions and towns across country NSW will be amped up? With some massive shows courtesy of rockers Thirsty Merc, rapper Illy, and songstresses Amy Shark, Mallrat and Mia Dyson.
“I’m super excited to be playing as part of Great Southern Night,” Shark said. “Needless to say every artist, every band, every DJ, just everyone is looking forward to playing shows to real life people, so make sure you get behind it.”
Newcastle and the Hunter region are too-often forgotten by major tours, but not on Great Southern Nights’ watch.
They’ll be treated with tunes from legendary country star Kasey Chambers, who will be playing at Lizotte’s in Lambton, up-and-coming DJ Godlands at The Cambridge in Newcastle, and pop country band Katie Jayne playing an afternoon show at White Hart Hotel in Murrurundi.
Of course, NSW’s north coast is lighting up with music throughout the festival. Fans can catch Indie favourites like Middle Kids, breakout soul star Budjerah, or maybe Peking Duk at the Beach Hotel Byron Bay? On the other end of the spectrum, NSW’s South Coast is also becoming a space for a bunch of different performers like legendary hitmaker Missy Higgins, soul star Meg Mac and Australian hip-hop leader Baker Boy.
Outback NSW and the Snowy Mountains are becoming a little country music festival throughout the duration of Great Southern Nights, with country stars Adam Harvey and Fanny Lumsden making their mark in the region, bringing their amazing original sound to their many adoring fans.
Ultimately, the Great Southern Nights extravaganza is helping the state get back to normal, championing smaller acts, many of which have struggled throughout the throws of the pandemic, giving jobs back to a bunch of industry workers, and applauding the best of what the state has to offer.
Once again, ensure you head to their gig guide for the full run-down, and you can also find out more information and book tickets here.
