Geelong festivals to be showcased in online music event

MUSIC festivals from across the Geelong region will be part of the lineup of a free online event next week featuring some never-before-seen footage.

Hosted by radio and TV personality Myf Warhurst, “The Long Weekender” will take viewers through six hours of specially curated sets from Victorian festivals including Falls Festival, Meredith Music Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Golden Plains and and A Day On The Green.

Music from Brunswick Music Festival, SummerSalt Festival and Yirramboi Festival will also feature.

Victorian music will be celebrated with sets from local artists such as You Am I, Mo’ju, The Cat Empire, Frente!, Courtney Barnett, Magic Dirt, Teskey Brothers, The Black Sorrows.

The festival can be streamed on the Victoria Together website, an online platform that hosts a range of digital content and virtual experiences for Victorians right across the state.

Viewers will have the ability to pause, rewind and fast forward the virtual festival between noon and midnight on Monday, June 14.

More information will go live across the weekend on the Victoria Together website including information on timetabling, how to reserve a free ticket and receive a reminder before the festival goes live.

Today (Friday, June 11), Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson announced that $360,000 would go directly to artists and festival organisers to air the footage that showcases why Victoria is the live music capital of Australia.

The Victorian Government’s support for the music industry includes the Music Works program, which will receive almost $11 million over the next four years to nurture young emerging talent and help tours get back on the road.

Almost 50 Victorian musicians, bands and music businesses have been awarded grants totaling more than $950,000 through the latest round of the program.

The Victorian Live Music Venues Program also provided $15 million in relief funding to more than 170 live music venues across the state.

The Victorian Music Industry Recovery program has supported more than 130 Victorian music businesses, and a Regional and Peri-Urban Live Music program will deliver more local live music events with $5 million in funding.

“Our live music scene is resilient, but we know they’ve had it tough this past year and that’s why we’ve invested over $25 million in direct support for the industry – with this online festival providing more direct relief to artists,” Mr Pearson said.

“Live music is such an integral part of Victorian culture and our artists and festivals are recognised right across the globe, so jump online this Monday for your chance to see our world-class performers shine.”

For more information about “The Long Weekender”, head to the Victoria Together website.