A new state-wide celebration of contemporary music, ALWAYS LIVE, is set to turn up the volume on the Major Events calendar in 2022 – cementing Melbourne and Victoria as the home of live music in Australia.
The first – and largest – event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, ALWAYS LIVE is the only Australian Major Event dedicated to highlighting live contemporary music from home and abroad, spotlighting Victoria as the key cultural destination for audiences across the Asia-Pacific.
From big names to rising stars, arena-style shows to intimate performances on rooftops, in laneways and in small venues, the event will showcase Victoria’s unparalleled home-grown talent, the best acts from around the country and the most sought-after artists from across the globe.
ALWAYS LIVE brings to life a long-held dream of late Australian music icon Michael Gudinski AM – one of the country’s most unwavering and influential live music champions. Paying homage to Gudinski’s passion for live music and his home state, the event will celebrate Victoria’s music scene and highlight its national and global significance via a program of one-off events and experiences.
“ALWAYS LIVE was a passion project for my dad to ensure Victoria continued to be recognised as the music capital of Australia, and Melbourne as one of the leading music cities in the world,” said Matt Gudinski, ALWAYS LIVE Chair.
“Dad worked tirelessly over many years to bring his vision and concept to life and to obtain the support of the Victorian Government. The initiative has been in the works for a long time and has been impacted by COVID-19 leading to several postponements of its launch and delivery.”
“I’m honoured to be part of now making it a reality at a time when the live music scene needs all the support it can get. The focus of this year’s instalment of ALWAYS LIVE is reinvigorating and reconnecting the State through the power of live music.”
“I know Dad would be very proud to see the event launched and form a major part of re-establishing a thriving live music scene,” said Gudinski.
In a coup for the state, 12-time Grammy Award-winning US rockers Foo Fighters will perform a one-off concert, and the first ever live music show, at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium on Friday 4 March.
The Australian exclusive will set the tone for the world-class event in advance of its arrival later this year. Foo Fighters will be joined by Amyl & The Sniffers and The Meanies.
Recognising the enormous enthusiasm for events of scale and significance in the region, the concert will mark the inaugural live music event at the stadium and the most significant concert ever held in regional Victoria.
The Foo Fighters concert is the first of several key programming announcements that will be made over the coming weeks ahead of the full program being revealed.
While the past two years have challenged the industry – both in Australia and overseas – live contemporary music remains a key feature and major drawcard of the Victorian cultural experience.
ALWAYS LIVE will again reinforce this status, programming and profiling events across an unprecedented range of scales, genres and styles; on special stages and at beloved venues across Melbourne’s CBD, metro and outer metro areas, and throughout the regions.
Steve Smith, CEO of ALWAYS LIVE, said he was thrilled to unveil the initiative and its first-ever concert. “This is the first of many highlights to feature in the ALWAYS LIVE program and there are more exciting announcements to follow in the coming weeks,” he said.
“ALWAYS LIVE will take place across an array of incredible locations and the program will truly reflect the best of our great state as we deliver a fully-fledged Victoria-wide live contemporary music takeover,” said Smith.
Throughout the inaugural program, ALWAYS LIVE will honour national icons, elevate Victoria’s progressive music industry, celebrate our flourishing independent scene and harness the passion of music fans, embracing the past, present and future – all with the energy that Victoria’s live contemporary music scene is characterised and loved for.
Expressions of Interest are currently open for program concepts for the inaugural ALWAYS LIVE. Closing date is Sunday 27 February 2022. All info and application form on the ALWAYS LIVE website. The full 2022 ALWAYS LIVE program will be announced in mid 2022.
Tickets for Foo Fighters at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium on Friday 4 March go on sale 12.00pm – Friday 25 February 2022. For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.alwayslive.com.au for details.
Image: Foo Fighters – photo by Danny Clinch