First COVID-safe festival announced

KICKING off the incoming music and arts season with a bang, the SummerSalt Festival is set to go ahead early next year.

Located in Lake Wendouree’s North Gardens, the live outdoor concert aims to bring together the best of the Australia summer with national musical and creative talent.

SummerSalt and Red Hot Tour regional touring promoter Duane McDonald said the team are hoping for a successful second run of the festival here in Ballarat.

“This time around, it will be a different setting and we’ll be following whatever the Victorian health guidelines are at the time,” he said.

“Things are changing every week and as restrictions get released, it’s going to be a bit of a moving picture until we get closer to the event.

“It is a low-key family style event at North Gardens which has plenty of space as the site there has 35,000 square metres so there’s plenty of room for social distancing.”

Taking place Sunday afternoon February 28, the diverse line-up includes The Teskey Brothers, The Cat Empire, John Butler, Boy & Bear, Montaigne and Emily Wurramara.

Since the festival’s initial announcement, Mr McDonald said it’s obvious people are excited and as a result tickets have been selling well.

“Hopefully things stay positive in Victoria but it’s good to have something to look forward to and ticket sales have reflected that,” he said.

“Musicians, crew, technicians, people in this industry, had their livelihood taken away this year and it started to take a toll.

“So, it’s good for them to have something to look forward to as well.”

For more information about the event, visit summersaltmusic.com.au.