Almost 7500 people flock to some of Australia’s first post-COVID music festivals in Darwin
FOR the past three weeks the Darwin Ski Club has been the national home of live music, with three successful festivals welcoming almost 7500 through the gates.
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FOR the past three weeks the Darwin Ski Club has been the national home of live music, with three successful festivals welcoming almost 7500 through the gates.
With Reset 2020 and Jimmy Barnes’ Top End Breakout Tour bringing in about 2000 each, Rebound 2020 proved the biggest winner with a crowd of 3200.
Event organiser Russell Temple said while the first two weeks were lighter on numbers, the events had brought a safe and successful return to major live music events in Australia.
“We wanted to thank everyone for coming, being well-behaved and making sure we could run a COVID-safe event — that’s the best part,” he said.
“We were able to run them with a minimum of trouble and people understanding the protocols involved.
“We might have just shown Australia what we’ve got to offer in that festival world.”
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Mr Temple said the artists involved were all ecstatic to have performed live again and loved their Darwin reception.
“They were so happy with the crowd’s reaction to their music, the reception at the airport and the hotels,” he said.
“Everyone was able to come to Darwin safely and enjoy themselves.”
Rapper Illy was one who embraced the Top End and the welcome on stage.
“You know you had a banger when you spend two weeks in quarantine for a 40-minute set and still feel like you got the bargain,” he said.
“Can we do it again this weekend please?”
Event publicist Ella Worthington said Darwin was well and truly leading the way and after three successful events, other states would do well to follow suit.
“I’m feeling very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work on these music festivals in the Territory,” she said.
“Live music and events are so incredibly important and I sincerely hope other states in Australia will follow the Territory’s lead in approving event plans going forward.”
Ms Worthington said Darwin had proven to be a successful hunting ground for event managers and looked forward to helping bring future events to life in the Territory.
“There’s nothing quite like the energy of a music festival,” she said.
“I can’t wait for our next show, Electric Storm, at the end of the month.”
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Darwin’s next major music event, Electric Storm on October 31, will likely follow a similar set-up to Rebound with two stages.
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