Music on a Mission

On July 13 1985, an idea sparked by the lead singer of the Boom Town Rats, Bob Geldof, came to life. Live Aid was a massive benefit concert for the people of Ethiopia. Seventy-five different acts performed live for about 170,000 people in London and Philadelphia. With 1.5 billion people in 110 countries watching it on live TV. More than 40 nations also held telethons for African famine relief during the broadcast including Australia.

Since then, Live Aid has been the gold standard, and I’m not sure that will ever be replicated at that level again, but that feeling always stayed with me and I have often made purchase decisions based on an issue or an event that is working with a charity I like, or for a cause I believe in. Fellow Aussies obviously feel the same way with the recent Fire Fight Concert selling out in minutes and watched by 1.5 million people.

These are my two top picks locally that you should check out:

Under the Southern Stars (Central Coast – 5 April, Newcastle – 19 April) Local and international celebrities have joined forces to support the launch of a new initiative that aims to see more than 100,000 trees planted across Australia’s bushfire affected areas, as part of a long-term commitment to rebuild and regenerate.

The Caring For Tomorrow initiative, in line with the forthcoming Under The Southern Stars (UTSS) music festivals and in partnership with Ecodynamics and ReForest Now, will see one tree planted per ticket sold for each concert.

The three UTSS international headline acts, LIVE, BUSH and Stone Temple Pilots, are also making financial contributions and will physically offer assistance in the tree planting efforts alongside volunteers when they arrive in Australia.

Roady for the Roadie (Lizotte’s 5 April) Roadies are amongst the most essential figures in the entertainment world. The reality is, no road crew equals no show, and it’s with our mates in mind, and thanks to the overwhelming response to the inaugural event in March 2019 that Roady4Roadies will return on Sunday, 5 April. Expanding from capital cities to regional centres with a total of 13 events taking place around the country including one at Lizotte’s featuring John Paul Young.

Despite their hard work and dedication to the artists and events they work with, many roadies find themselves in precarious health and financial circumstances and Roady4Roadies shines a much-deserved light on the diverse range of highly technical and creative skills required of the live production crew, while raising desperately needed funds to help those in crisis.

The day commences with the Roady4Roadies Walk (a leisurely 4–5kms) culminating in a variety of family activities and performances at well-known entertainment precincts around the country. All walk participants receive a free t-shirt with sunscreen and water available along the route.

The Roady4Roadies Walk concludes with live entertainment from some of Australia’s leading artists with food, awards, speeches and prizes on offer at each event.