
As Australia bakes and burns in the worst bushfire crisis in living memory, the music industry is stepping up.
Artists, promoters, music companies and executives from the land Down Under and around the globe are pitching in with donations, time and support. Live music benefits are springing up on what seems to be a daily basis, raising much-needed cash for firefighters and those whose lives and homes are at the front line.
These are difficult times for Australians. Summer always brings fires. The hotter the season, the worse the blazes. The late months of 2019 and early 2020, however, have been disastrous.
Police in New South Wales, the worst affected state, on Wednesday (Jan. 8) confirmed the 20th death from the current fire season. At least five others have lost their lives around the country, as fire fighters battle blazes whipped up by fierce winds and exacerbated by bone-dry conditions.
Here’s a snapshot of how the music community is battling. And how it’s responding.
The Lorne leg of Falls Festival was canceled just ahead of New Year’s Eve:
Lorne cancellation information : https://t.co/VV7cAAOfBx #fallsfestival
— Falls Festival (@fallsofficial) December 28, 2019
Sydney Festival show Opening Night was controversially scrapped:
Opening Night has cancelled its run at Sydney Festival due to health concerns related to fire-affected air quality in Sydney. We have updated the event page with further details. https://t.co/vUJgILjLMt
— Sydney Festival (@sydney_festival) January 6, 2020
Cold Chisel’s A Day On The Green show in Rutherglen was scrapped due to hazardous conditions:
Cold Chisel are very sorry to announce that tonight’s show has to be cancelled due to hazardous site conditions. Details below: https://t.co/zPUKHwsnqL
— Cold Chisel (@coldchisel) January 6, 2020
The fight back! Artists and live music professionals from around the country chip-in with benefit concerts:
The Make It Rain — Fund the Firies 2020 fundraisers take place Jan. 8 and 9 in Byron Bay (bidding on the Make It Rain auction closes Jan. 17).
.@jackrivermusic is joining @gangofyouths, @Briggs, @ThelmaPlum_ and more for this huge fire and climate relief concert in Melbourne. I OH YOU DJs will also be spinning in between acts but don’t let that stop you. pic.twitter.com/goIA7hHohH
— I OH YOU (@iohyouforever) January 7, 2020
Sydney Festival Bushfire Appeal Concert is now SOLD OUT. Thank you for your incredible response and to everyone who helped put it together. Please continue to support @RedCrossAU and @WIRES_NSW. ??
— Sydney Festival (@sydney_festival) January 8, 2020
MELBOURNE ??
There has been a lot of devastation in Australia lately that is very saddening to witness. There is no way to lightly talk about the topic, it has been apocalyptic.
Myself, Adrian Eagle and some other surprise guests will be putting on a charity show…. continued pic.twitter.com/OVNfmfAKWl— Tones And I (@tonesandimusic) January 6, 2020
Tickets to our over 18s ORIGINAL Wiggles reunion show for bushfire relief are ON SALE NOW!
Tickets available here: https://t.co/9ijv089c0I
All proceeds from the show (tickets and merchandise sales) will be going to the Australian Red Cross and WIRES. pic.twitter.com/KPiEVYjLQ7
— The Wiggles (@TheWiggles) January 6, 2020
For those that missed out on tickets to the Reunion bushfire relief shows- we will have an online paid viewing options with all money going to charity. It will be able to be viewed world wide! Will share all the details as soon as we can 🙂
— The Wiggles (@TheWiggles) January 7, 2020
The biggest names in music will work stadiums for Sound Relief 2020. And Fire Fight Australia:
In response to the devastating bushfires currently sweeping across the country, the Australian Music Community will band together once again under the unified banner of Sound Relief 2020. Stay tuned for more information soon.
— https://t.co/Tp1ZFqvVD2
— Adam Stevenson pic.twitter.com/RS40CU556h— Sound Relief Australia (@soundreliefau) January 8, 2020
— Stay tuned for details —
Website: https://t.co/wUB9mmpw7x
Facebook Event: https://t.co/zBVty4tGpd pic.twitter.com/Hk1kpS98x2— TEG DAINTY (@TEGDAINTY) January 6, 2020
Artists and celebrities are digging deep:
Please join us and do whatever you can to assist as we, along with our @AWMHFoundation, are pledging A$750,000 to the NSW Rural Fire Service and to the Country Fire Authority in Victoria to aid in the relief efforts. (3/6)
— Metallica (@Metallica) January 8, 2020
Seeing the fires raging across Australia have left me heartbroken. This tragedy has taken lives, homes and devastated so much wildlife. At my Sydney show last night, I pledged $1 million dollars to support the Bushfire Relief Fund.
God bless, Australia. —-??
Elton xx pic.twitter.com/8umFtjikSa
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) January 7, 2020
So so so sad. It’s breaking my heart. My home is on fire. I’m donating $100,000 to @WIRES_NSW to help injured, displaced wildlife. Please see here to find out how you can help Australia: https://t.co/2U6v1NQnn8 pic.twitter.com/dRgfGniJWp
— Flume (@flumemusic) January 7, 2020
With the support of the NBPA Foundation and the @NBA, all nine Australian NBA Players commit $750,000 USD to bushfire relief efforts in Australia.
Link to press release here: https://t.co/nnLvLJWeg2 pic.twitter.com/3d9cMGTxba
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) January 7, 2020
While we may be 10,000 physical miles away, we hold all in #Australia close to our hearts.
On behalf of our recent fall fundraising, @BCEFA is awarding $100,000 in emergency grants to help @NSWRFS and @WIRES_NSW: https://t.co/4jxSdPgeXB pic.twitter.com/ZJ6GQVc3pl
— Broadway Cares (@BCEFA) January 9, 2020
Earth Alliance is committing $3m to the #AustraliaWildfireFund to assist firefighting efforts, aid communities, enable wildlife rescue, and support long term restoration with @aussie_ark @BushHeritageAus @WIRES_NSW @emcollective @Global_Wildlife. Join us: https://t.co/nEKBk1QcdP pic.twitter.com/fljys7VxXp
— Earth Alliance (@earthalliance) January 9, 2020
—-Australia, we’re proud to announce we’re performing with @AdamLambert at #FireFightAustralia alongside an incredible line-up of artists to raise money for national bushfire relief. ???
Tickets go on sale TODAY at 12noon AEDT from https://t.co/mbeKu1bhnX pic.twitter.com/kNftblpGE1— Queen (@QueenWillRock) January 12, 2020
Proud to be performing with @QueenWillRock at #FireFightAustralia this February!! Help us support national bushfire relief. Tickets go on sale TODAY at 12pm AEDT from https://t.co/XPRNQrdnZ6 pic.twitter.com/aCKwy3NN6r
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) January 12, 2020
Australia, I’ll be performing at #FireFightAustralia alongside an incredible line-up of artists to raise money for national bushfire relief.
Tickets go on sale TODAY at 12noon AEDT from https://t.co/EtaXxfBWlm —- pic.twitter.com/HXMqrzKM7K— k.d. lang (@kdlang) January 12, 2020
Australia, I’m proud to announce I’ll be performing at #FireFightAustralia alongside an incredible line-up of artists to raise money for national bushfire relief. Tickets go on sale TODAY at 12noon AEDT from https://t.co/rRlBkkFhPP
I hope you can join us!
#FireFightAustralia pic.twitter.com/CpprJJe3iF— Olivia Newton-John (@olivianj) January 12, 2020
Hi Australia, I’m very proud to announce I will be performing at #FireFightAustralia alongside a huge line-up of legends to raise money for national bushfire relief.
Tickets go on sale TODAY at 12noon AEDT from https://t.co/3RORM7qVmf See u soon ??– @FireFightAU pic.twitter.com/bqgHQLOJRD— Amy Shark (@amyshark) January 12, 2020
Yusuf is supporting @PennyAppealAu‘s response to the #AustralianBushfireDisaster.
The team are delivering essential supplies to centres appointed by the Rural Fire Service.
Please consider making a donation at: https://t.co/od3xXHVZUS pic.twitter.com/2ePWo8AH5e
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) January 10, 2020