Drive-in concerts are being trialled in Australia this week
A 600-person event is being trialed in Sydney this week as Australia looks to implement drive-in concerts to help the arts with the impact of COVID-19.
After drive-in concerts began to pick up steam overseas, Australia is the latest country to consider the idea.
The concept of the event is to maintain social distancing while being able to experience live music — all from the safety of your car (except for toilet breaks), with the audio being broadcasted via FM radio signal. Drive-In Entertainment Australia has been eager to get the ball rolling on events here and, as The Music Network points out, are planning to trial the idea this week.
The first event is set to proceed this Thursday, and will be a free event for 600 people. Held in Sydney's Tempe and headlined by Casey Donovan, if everything goes to plan we can probably expect to see this take off in other parts of the country as well as the live music industry continues to grapple with the extensive and devastating impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Music Network has confirmed Drive-In Entertainment Australia "has partnered with councils and will launch with at least eight locations across NSW and Victoria during phase one."
Plug into the latest music with our FREE weekly newsletter
Samwise Holmes, director at Drive-In, said in a statement, "We like most people in the entertainment industry, we were left devastated when our gigs evaporated overnight...Rather than let it defeat us, we sought to innovate.”
“Entertainment is what keeps the light on in times like this.”
The drive-in hubs will be available for more than just live music as well, as theatre, comedians and many more events could also potentially access the initiative. As for safety measures, ticketing will be contactless, and each event will comply with "each state's public health acts," The Music Network explained.
Words by Emma Jones
Image: Hauke-Christian Dittrich/DPA via NME
SEE ALSO
More From Our Network
