We're not out of the COVID woods yet, most likely far from it, but a sign things are slowly inching closer to normal, the biggest indoor concerts staged in Australia since March will take place as part of Greatest Southern Nights.
Psych rockers Ocean Alley will headline Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena (28 November), with Powderfinger frontman and acclaimed solo artist Bernard Fanning returning to the same venue (5 December) supported by another iconic Aussie songwriter, Matt Corby. "I'm so happy to be part of the reopening of the live music scene in NSW," Bernard Fanning says.
"It's a great opportunity to get people safely together again, but just as importantly, to give the music industry workers whose lives have been so upended by COVID, a chance to get back to doing what they do best."
Fresh off releasing their third studio album, 'Lonely Diamond', earlier this year, joining the bill for Ocean Alley's show will be Jack River and Ruby Fields.
"We're absolutely stoked to be getting back on stage as part of Great Southern Nights," Ocean Alley says.
"We've missed every part of touring – last year we spent every other day in a new city, so it's exciting to see live music making a comeback in NSW.
"The opportunity to headline Qudos Bank Arena in our home town makes this show that extra bit more special for us, and we can't wait to finally play our latest album 'Lonely Diamond' in a live setting."
Both concerts will be staged with a commitment to a COVID-safe environment, with a reduced capacity of just over 5,000 in a venue that can normally hold around 21,000 fans.
Sat 28 Nov @ Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney)
Ocean Alley
Jack River
Ruby Fields
Jack Botts
Tickets on sale from 10am EST 9 November
Sat 5 Dec @ Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney)
Bernard Fanning
Matt Corby
Merci Mercy
Tickets on sale from 10am EST 10 November
