Some of Australia’s biggest names and indie heroes will perform at the new Surround Sounds Geelong and the Bellarine music festival celebrating the region’s live music cultural heritage.
Featuring a diverse line-up of musicians, the month-long festival event will see the likes of Australian music icon Paul Kelly, world-renowned band The Rubens, country-music legends Kasey Chambers and Busby Marou, indie favourites Children Collide, veteran rockers the Hard-Ons, and beloved vocal quartet Human Nature perform in some of the best-known venues throughout the region.
Over on the hill, Mt Duneed Estate will play host to a line-up including Lime Cordiale, Thelma Plum, Client Liaison, The VANNS and more for a special A Day On The Green.
The program announced on Tuesday included unique performances alongside these Australian music legends.
Also performing at the festival will be Nina Ferro and her jazz ensemble performing the songs of Ella Fitzgerald; a presentation from Music in Exile with performances from Ajak Kwai and Gordon Koang; a Bonsai Records showcase featuring Bones and Jones, Fenn Wilson, Pollyman and Sirens; Australia’s leading INXS tribute band INXSIVE; and the Geelong Symphony Orchestra will perform Beethoven’s transcendent Pastorale: Symphony No.6.
The Melbourne Music Bus Tours will venture out to the regions for the first time to bring the Geelong Music Bus Tours, hosted by Adalita (Magic Dirt) and Mick Thomas (Weddings, Parties, Anything).
The vast music history of Geelong and the Bellarine will also be explored across a curated series of talks, visual art and live projections.
City of Greater Geelong deputy mayor Trent Sullivan said Surround Sounds would bring the region’s live music scene to life in a big way.
“The acts revealed today are amazing, with more to come when the full line-up is announced at the start of March,” he said.
“This will be a sensational month-long celebration of music and the many iconic live music venues in Geelong and across the Bellarine.
“We can’t wait.”
Arts, live entertainment and hospitality portfolio chiar Eddy Kontelj said the live entertainment celebration would mark the re-launch of Geelong’s live music scene – long a favourite feature of the city.
“The council and our arts and culture team have been working hard to rejuvenate an industry so badly impacted over the past couple of years, and the arts, live entertainment and hospitality portfolio has been such a valuable vehicle to assist us with this,” Cr Kontelj said.
“Surround Sounds is another exciting and tangible example of this. As well as offering fantastic entertainment for visitors and locals, we hope it will help bring the vibrant atmosphere back to our hospitality sector and provide a lift for the local economy.
“The live acts and performers are top class and there is sure to be something to satisfy everyone’s taste in music. With our venues ready and welcoming, this is another step toward Geelong becoming the live entertainment hub of Australia.”
The full program will be announced Tuesday, March 1.
Details: surroundsoundsgeelong.com.au
