THE VERONICAS HEADLINE AUSTRALIA’S FIRST LIVE CONCERTS SINCE RESTRICTIONS
June 29, 2020
Hot on the heels of its successful test-drive media launch with Casey Donovan, Drive-In Entertainment Australia has announced the first set of artists who will spearhead its program of 640+ performances beginning from July this year.
The Veronicas and The Wiggles will each headline their own concerts, supported by a wide-ranging group of other home-grown artists in their own concerts eager to entertain the estimated 400,000 attendees (with a capacity of over 1 million), all while adhering to COVID-safe regulations.
Diversity in programming has been key so organisers can cater to the many audience types expected to attend. Drive-In Entertainment Australia will have multiple venues across NSW, ACT, QLD and VIC with each location running for 2-3 weeks with capacities around 300-1,000 cars per concert.
It all kicks off on July 17 at Western Sydney’s Raging Waters with 4 to 5 shows each day and night, with the opening day’s spectacular program concluding with Australia’s first ever Drive In Nightclub, orchestrated by acclaimed DJ Dan Murphy.
With a capacity of 1,000 cars, Raging Waters will cater to an area of Sydney that has been starved of quality live entertainment for some time. It is Sydney’s only COVID-safe live venue, meaning it will be able to continue to operate on the chance restrictions are enforced again.
The large capacity venue was chosen largely for its flexibility, and the potential for ‘Tail-gate parties’ to occur once restrictions are eased further: picture this – Sydneysiders dancing around their fully laden party cars for the duration of the concert. Every punter will have the ultimate box seat to Sydney’s must attend concerts!
The Veronicas
The performances are expected to be the biggest live events Australia will see this year, ever since the country went in to lockdown in March. Performances will have the added benefit of being live-streamed to the cars via Zoom, allowing the audience to see themselves and friends on the big screen and to interact with artists live on stage.
Due to International travel being non-existent, Drive-In Entertainment is championing Australian talent with a program complete with music, comedy and other types of performances. Comedy Drive-In Nights for example will be headlined by acts such as Akmal Saleh, Arj Barker, Jimeoin and Lawrence Mooney.
As well as The Veronicas, other musical acts include Kate Ceberano, Casey Donovan and Jess & Matt. Musical theatre lovers have also been catered for with the show, Broadway Reimagined.
“These acts are only the start, we have more artists and venues being added over the upcoming months,” said Samwise Holmes, Managing Director of Drive-In Entertainment Australia. “For example, we are currently in talks with some of Australia’s hottest indie bands that sell out concerts in places like The Enmore in Sydney – so this audience type will be catered for as well. If you love live performances, we urge you to please sign up to our newsletter at driveinentertainment.com.au or like us on social media so you can be given first access to tickets.”
Casey Donovan
Just before COVID-19, The Veronicas were performing at festivals across the globe, packing out stages everywhere they went. “Festivals create a unity of energy that is unlike any other feeling. We are thinking outside the box to make sure we can all still give an experience of live music to our fans during these times,” said Lisa Veronica.
“A drive in concert sounded like our perfect night. Get your friends together, great snacks, blankets, comfy seats and great weather is a guarantee; ha-ha,” said Jess Veronica. “This is the first time we’re ever done anything like this. Who knows what will happen. We’re expecting a symphony of car horns during Untouched.”
DJ Dan Murphy embraced the idea of being a trailblazer. “I am thrilled to be DJing the country’s first ever drive in nightclub! The stage and set up is going to be epic and I can’t wait to see all the cars lit up for the occasion – so make sure you pimp your car out with as many glowsticks, LED lights and flashing lights as humanly possible! And we definitely encourage everyone to raid their dress up boxes for these events as well!”
Artists so far confirmed (and will be updated on a weekly basis)
The Veronicas
Casey Donovan
Kate Ceberano
Jess and Matt
DJ Dan Murphy – Australia’s first ever Drive In Nightclub
Broadway Reimagined
Nickelodeon Hour of Power
Jimeoin
Arj Barker
Lawrence Mooney
Akmal Saleh
The Wiggles
The first Dan Murphy party will be 90s themed, and the second party will be his mega club night, I Remember House. If you love Hed Kandi, Ibiza Classics and Ministry of Sound, you will not be disappointed.
President of Equity, Chloe Dallimore, is excited by the news of the Aussie-centric program. “Thousands of creatives, performers, musicians and technicians have been left out of the JobKeeper allowance, and our proud industry is on its knees.
Drive-in Entertainment is an innovative way of rethinking audience access to our live entertainment sector. It’s a retro concept that will not only thrill audiences but will hopefully help keep the heartbeat of Australian entertainment alive and thriving until we’re able to perform in our traditional venues once more.
For ticket sales and the full program that will be updated regularly, visit driveinentertainment.com.au.
HOW DOES DRIVE-IN ENTERTAINMENT WORK?
In its simplest form, the concept is a drive in theatre – where patrons enjoy shows from the comfort and safety of their own car with audio being broadcasted by an FM radio signal to your car’s surround-sound speakers, which will sync with the sound stage.
The intimacy we all look for in live performances is still present but with a modern day twist. Performances will have the added potential of being live-streamed to the cars via Zoom, allowing the audience to interact with artists and vis-versa in real time. And the rapture of applause can be made bigger with car horns going off and wind screen wipers swaying in unison.
All ticketing will be non-contact. This will be achieved through the use of electronic devices and manual scanning, without contact ever being made between the staff and patrons. Drive-In Entertainment Australia has the ability to adapt and comply with social distancing protocols no matter the current regulations at the time of the event.
Food and drink will be available via contactless ordering with on-site vendors delivering to cars. No physical contact will be made at any point between caterer & patron making it completely Covid-safe.