ANZAC music event returns under new Mushroom CEO Matt Gudinski
Plans for the sequel to last year’s popular Anzac Day TV event Music From the Home Front were already well underway when Michael Gudinski died suddenly on March 2.
Plans for the sequel to last year’s popular Anzac Day TV event Music from the Home Front were already well under way when the driving force behind it, Mushroom Group chief executive Michael Gudinski, died suddenly on March 2.
In his absence, the follow-up event on Saturday night has taken on a new significance for a domestic music industry still in mourning, in addition to its original intent of celebrating frontline healthcare workers across Australia and New Zealand in the grip of the national lockdown 12 months ago.
As well, this event will mark the first major item on the agenda of newly appointed Mushroom Group chief executive Matt Gudinski, who has been part of the family business since 2003.
“Dad and I had really been driving the group and everything we were doing together, hand-in-hand, over the last 10 years, so it’s not like I’m playing my first game or something like that,” Gudinski, 36, said with a laugh.
“But obviously it’s a special one, considering how much it meant to Dad, and with how important it is as a platform for Australian artists.
“Obviously the (music) landscape is so much different this year.
“At the moment, we’re finally allowed to — even if it’s only a smidge of the capacity — have live performances and live gigs happening again.”
At the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, artists including Amy Shark, Lime Cordiale, Tash Sultana and Kasey Chambers will perform live to a COVID-reduced crowd of about 2700, while the TV broadcast will include streamed and pre-recorded performances from acts such as Jimmy Barnes, Tina Arena, Crowded House, Kate Ceberano and Delta Goodrem.
One of the younger artists playing live at the Bowl is Melbourne singer-songwriter Mia Wray, whose powerhouse appearance at Michael Gudinski’s state memorial on March 24 was one of the night’s highlights.
“Mia is an artist that we’ve had an involvement with for nearly 10 years since we first discovered her,” Gudinski said.
“It felt like an amazing opportunity for her to honour Dad — and as much as I don’t like to say it, Dad would have only wanted to use that platform to get his golden girl out to the audience.”
As with last year’s event, all profits and merchandise sales will go to music industry charity Support Act. Music from the Home Front will screen on the Nine Network and YouTube from 7.30pm on Saturday.
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