Thousands of fans at virus-wary enclosed concert in Sydney

More than 6000 music fans have flocked – in a socially-distanced manner – to the biggest indoor concert in NSW since pandemic days began in March.

Ocean Alley, who headlined the Great Southern Nights event on Saturday night.

More than 6000 music fans have flocked – in a socially-distanced manner – to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena for the biggest indoor concert to be held in NSW since March.

The COVID-safe event, headlined by Northern Beaches psychedelic rockers Ocean Alley on Saturday night, marked a return to stadium-size shows in the state since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

The show forms part of the larger Great Southern Nights series, which is bringing nearly 1000 gigs to the city and regional NSW across November.

The series was launched by the state government and promoters TEG Live and Live Nation in an attempt to kick-start recovery to the live music and hospitality industries which have been dramatically impacted by the pandemic.

The venue, which would typically host up to 21,000 people, was reduced to a capacity of just over 6000 to ensure NSW Health’s coronavirus social distancing measures could be adhered to.

Masks were not mandatory at the gig but each group of people was separated by several chairs. Hand sanitising stations were scattered throughout the venue and mask-wearing ushers showed punters to their seats.

While revellers were unable to get up and dance, there was a palpable sense of energy in the crowd – with people bopping and singing along from their chairs.

While the temperature soared to almost 40 degrees outside as a severe heatwave gripped the state, the stadium was enclosed and well air-conditioned.

Support acts – Triple J darlings Ruby Fields and Jack River – expressed to the crowd their joy at returning to performing in front of large crowds.

“Im sure a lot of you haven’t seen any live music in months and months, what a way for us all to reconnect,” Holly Rankin, who performs as Jack River, said.

Rankin also took aim at the state government, saying: “It’s so weird that we can’t dance. I was thinking we should classify these live music events as football games, then we could do whatever we want.”

Ruby Fields, 22, said it was “sick that we can do this again” – adding that, while it had been a tough year, the pandemic had helped her make a lot of personal and artistic revelations that she was thankful for.

Ocean Alley said they were “absolutely stoked” to be back on the stage, having missed “every part of touring” this year.

“Last year we spent every other day in a new city, so it’s exciting to see live music making a comeback in NSW,” the band said.

“The opportunity to headline Qudos Bank Arena in our hometown makes this show that extra bit more special for us.”

Another 6000-strong crowd will attend the Qudos Bank next Saturday for another Great Southern Nights gig, headlined by former Powderfinger front man Bernard Fanning and Matt Corby.