Ed Sheeran’s Gudinski tribute song to be released as Music From the Home Front returns on Anzac Day

Matt Gudinski has revealed Ed Sheeran’s musical tribute to his dad will live on, as the Music From the Home Front concert will return.

Ed Sheeran’s emotional musical tribute to Michael Gudinski is set to be released as the music industry titan’s legacy lives on.

Gudinski’s son Matt, who assumed the role of CEO of Mushroom Group this week, is leading the company to stage a sequel to last year’s Music From the Home Front concert on Anzac Day.

Gudinski said he had been overwhelmed with the outpouring of respect towards his father, who died unexpectedly on March 2.

His State Memorial, held at Rod Laver Arena, was viewed at one point by over 250,000 people worldwide.

Gudinski’s friend Ed Sheeran flew into Australia, writing a song called Visiting Hours while in quarantine, which he premiered at the memorial.

Ben Lee and Gordi will perform at Music From the Home Front 2021. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I believe there’s plans for it to be released in due course,” Gudinski revealed to News Corp.

“It meant a lot to myself and our family that Ed made the journey out here and created a song in Dad’s honour, written especially for him. When I first heard the song it really was just perfect.”

Before he returned to the UK Gudinski and Sheeran got matching tattoos of Michael Gudinski’s trademark index finger making the No. 1 gesture.

“It was definitely a new thing for me, my first tattoo,” Gudinski said, “but maybe the first of many. It was just the beginning of any way to have Dad with me and remember him every single day and ensure myself and the company all move forward with the great values that he instilled in us.”

Last year’s Music From the Home Front was one of Michael Gudinski’s career highlights, with the Anzac Day concert viewed by over 1.1 million people, with musicians performing virtually as the pandemic started to take hold. 

It spawned a No. 1 album and Gudinski was already planning to recreate the event in 2021.

“Dad was busy working on it up until the end,” Gudinski said. “It meant a lot to him, so to be able to take the lead and take his vision forward with the Mushroom team is something I’m honoured to be able to do and something that’s extremely important to me.”

This year will feature a COVID-safe live audience at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, where artists including Amy Shark, Vance Joy, The Rubens, Tash Sultana, Mia Wray, Jerome Farah, Lime Cordiale and Budjerah will perform.

Matt Gudinski, Ed Sheeran and Andrew Mackie get tattoos at Grey Street Tattoo. Pic: Picture: Instagram

Hip hop act Bliss`n’Eso and country star Kasey Chambers will premiere their new collaboration Good People.

“It’s a fitting song for what Music From the Home Front is celebrating,” Gudinski said, “about bringing people together through the power of music.”

There will also be streamed performances from artists including Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Dean Lewis, You Am I, The Kid LAROI, Sam Fischer and Hayley Mary.

Gordi, a musician still working shifts as a doctor in hospitals across Melbourne, will duet with Ben Lee on his pandemic anthem We’re All In This Together.

“There’s probably no better song for the current climate, it’ll be a real pleasure to sing it with Ben,” Gordi said.

“(Michael’s death) was such an unfathomable loss. I still can’t really believe he’s gone, but doing this show is the best way to celebrate him and his hard work and his life. 12 months ago he was brainstorming the first Music from the Home Front, so to play the second one a year later in his honour is a real privilege.”

More performers will be announced over the next week.

Tickets, starting at $69, go on sale next Friday from musicfromthehomefront.com

The concert will also be able to watch on You Tube and the Nine network from 7.30pm on Anzac Day.

Gordi aka Sophie Payten is still juggling medicine with music. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Gudinski said surprise duets are also being planned.

“Dad always worked so hard to deliver these unique collaborations, so there’ll be a few of those unveiled on the night. We want the 2021 event to be even more special than the 2020 one.”

Music From the Home Front is being partially funded by the Victorian Government as part of their Visit Victoria initiative.

“We are proud to support Music From The Home Front in 2021 and it’s fantastic we can welcome crowds to this year’s event and show our support for the live music industry,” Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Mary-Anne Thomas said.

Meanwhile Gudinski was able to reflect on the impact of the State Memorial.

“It was a very special night, one I’m very proud of as are my entire family and the Mushroom family. It wasn’t easy to put together in the circumstances and in such a short time frame, but it’ll be remembered as an amazing and unique evening celebrating such a special individual for many years to come.”

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