Triumphant return for live music

THE guitars are tuned and the mics are on as Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival prepares for a special spring event.

In collaboration with the City of Greater Bendigo, BB&RMF is hosting Live ‘n’ Local, a full day of 20 of the top Central Victorian acts on 6 November, at the Bendigo Botanic Garden’s Garden of the Future.

Blues and Roots Festival director Colin Thompson said Live ‘n’ Local will be the first major event the team has hosted under COVID-19 restrictions and wouldn’t be possible without the support of the municipality.

“The Tourism and Major Events team’s financial and logistical support is obviously invaluable, but so is the help of our partners at Bendigo Venues & Events, who are handling the ticketing for us and helping out with promotional duties as well,” he said.

“The parks crew are always wonderful to work with too, in helping us create a safe and welcoming space in which to share live music with a diverse audience. Our team are all extremely grateful.”

Crowd numbers at Live ‘n’ Local are subject to restrictions and the first release of tickets is limited to 300 people, with more anticipated as the state reaches its vaccination targets.

“We are hopeful that the current density limits on patrons will be loosened between now and 6 November, so that we can release more tickets for sale,” Mr Thompson said.

“We’ll hopefully be able to release a few more hundred tickets and share this show with more grateful audience members on the day.”

The event will also be the first time BB&RMF has held an event at the Garden of the Future, currently the space is hosting to concerts and movie nights as part of the City’s Summer in the Parks Spring Edition.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to create paid work for artists and production crews, as well as sharing some of our favourite foodies’ amazing product with the audience in attendance,” Mr Thompson said.

“Getting to catch up in person again with all the artists, crew, volunteers and audience members we haven’t seen in a long time is also a buzz for us.”