Concert in delay over ‘rain fear’

ERIN PEARSON
FEARS of rain have pushed back Geelong’s largest music festival from November to March, according to organisers.
One Great Night On Earth project director Lyndel Moore said weather bureau advice predicted the threat of above-average rain for November.
Ms Moore feared the potential deluge could jeopardise the success of the inaugural charity concert.
“We just got some really strong information saying November had already become a high rainfall month in Victoria, so it seemed to make sense to change the date,” she said.
“That time of year (March) will better accommodate an older demographic. Younger demographics don’t care if it buckets down rain but older demographics do.”
In November the region recorded 86.2 millimetres of rain compared to a monthly average of 47.1mm.
The March total was 33.4mm compared to the average of 28.7mm.
Ms Moore said the festival had also secured a site for the March 31 event after talks with various Lara
land owners.
“We’re pretty chuffed to be able to tell you the site for this event is now solid,” she said.
“It will be situated at the base of You Yangs National Park with views out over the bay and the city of Melbourne in the distance.
“It will look very much like Emerald City come nightfall.”
Ms Moore said the festival would soon release names of newly signed acts from Australia and the UK.
“The rewards are now beginning to come in spades and we couldn’t be happier with the progress.”
Organisers unveiled their initial plans to the Independent in October.
They said the event would feature some of the world’s “greatest rock stars” from ‘60s and ‘70s to attract a crowd of around 100,000 patrons.
The organisers expected the event to raise around $14 million for charity. Proceeds would go to Fine Green Paddock, which supports regional Australians struggling to overcome fires, droughts and floods.