Given the continuing affects of COVID-related shutdowns and restricted travel currently crippling the Australian music scene, there has never been a more pertinent time (if you are able to) to support your favourite Australian artists and bands.
Music industry charity Support Act's annual Ausmusic T-Shirt Day returns next month (19 November) with a swag of high-profile music stars lending their name to the cause that's supported by ARIA and championed across triple j.Jessica Mauboy, 5 Seconds Of Summer, Amy Shark, Lime Cordiale and Neil Finn are just a small sample of those who have signed on as offical 2021 Ausmusic T-Shirt Day ambassadors.
"I'm taking part in #ausmusictshirtday Friday 19 November to celebrate local music and help raise funds for artists, artist managers, crew and music workers who are doing it tough," Jessica Mauboy says.
Music fans around the nation can contribute to the cause via three options. "Take part by buying a t-shirt, making a donation or registering a team to fundraise," adds Jessica.
The Teskey Brothers have also come onboard as 2021 ambassadors. "We're getting around #ausmusictshirtday this year and would love you to join us.
"Friday November 19, wear your favourite Aus artist t-shirt and donate to @supportact if you can.
"It's been incredibly tough for a lot of people in the music industry and Support Act do amazing work supporting everyone having a hard time. What t-shirt will you wear?"
Other artist and bands signed on as 2021 ambassadors include Ngaiire, Peking Duk, The Amity Affliction, and Travis Collins, plus a stack more alongside hundreds of others who'll champion the campaign on the day via social media.
A stack of merch partners are onboard too – including Love Police, Sound Merch, Threadshop, Merchfan, Artist First, Merch Jungle, Warner Music and more – who will each donate a percentage of their proceeds to the campaign.
Participants are asked to share their Ausmusic T-Shirt love by posting on their favourite social media platforms using the hashtag #ausmusictshirtday and tagging Support Act, triple j and ARIA.
Over the past 18 months, Support Act has committed $22.8m in the form of 10,000 crisis relief grants to music and live performing arts workers in need, and provided mental health and well-being support to many thousands more through its mental health programmes and Wellbeing Helpline.
"While there is now light at the end of the COVID tunnel, thanks to the massive uptake of vaccinations across Australia," Support Act CEO, Clive Miller says, "there is still a long way to go before the music industry is operating at pre-pandemic levels.
"We know just how much the Australian community loves and misses their live music, which is why we are asking everyone with a passion for Australian music to get behind this year's Ausmusic T-Shirt Day to help raise the funds we urgently need to continue providing our support services to music workers in crisis."
Ausmusic T-Shirt Day takes place 19 November. More information.
