Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch Credit: Anna Kucera
Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch
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The hotly anticipated initial line up for the Great Southern Nights 2024 festival has been revealed today, bringing the best of Australian artists, including Hoodoo Gurus, Jessica Mauboy, Jimmy Barnes, and many more together to supercharge NSW’s rich live music culture and vibrant night-time economy.
Tickets are on sale today for Great Southern Nights which returns from 8 to 24 March 2024 with more than 300 live music gigs across 17 nights throughout seven key music communities across NSW, including Sydney inner city, Western Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Northern Rivers, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga.
The eclectic line up of artists scheduled for the series coupled with the best live music venues across the state create the perfect occasion for visitors to turn a gig into an unforgettable weekend in Greater Sydney and NSW, exploring the state’s glittering coastline, thriving regional towns and stunning natural landscapes.
Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “Bringing back Great Southern Nights is part of our dedication to backing live music and a shift in focus from destination travel to experience tourism with an emphasis on creating a cultural identity for the state.
“This is more than a series of live gigs – it's a display of how the collective passion for live music can deliver rich cultural moments that resonate with locals and visitors alike to create unforgettable experiences.
“We are creating memorable experiences for visitors to Sydney and across NSW, with diverse entertainment options when people step out at night. We want them to enjoy our outstanding locally-sourced food and drink, see a live performance, immerse themselves in the heartbeat of our entertainment precincts, explore our bars, galleries and creative spaces.”
CEO of ARIA Annabelle Herd said: “ARIA is proud to be presenting Great Southern Nights again in 2024 with a super exciting and diverse line-up of amazing Aussie artists across so many genres. Great Southern Nights empowers local artists to create future nostalgia moments in regions and music communities across New South Wales by reaching new audiences and bringing people together through a shared love of brilliant live music moments."
Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch Credit: Anna Kucera
Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch
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Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch Credit: Anna Kucera
Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch
Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch Credit: Anna Kucera
The Hon. John Graham, MLC, Annabelle Herd - ARIA, CEO, Sneaky Sound System, Becca Hatch, A.GIRL & Emmy Mack (Redhook)
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Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch Credit: Anna Kucera
The Hon. John Graham, MLC, Annabelle Herd - ARIA, CEO, Sneaky Sound System, Becca Hatch, A.GIRL & Emmy Mack (Redhook)
The 2024 Great Southern Nights artist line up so far includes:
360 | A.Girl | Alex Lahey | Anna Lunoe | Ball Park Music | BARKAA
Becca Hatch | Big Skeez | Bliss N Eso | Budjerah | Cub Sport | Dan Sultan
David Campbell | Drapht | Dune Rats | Elixir | Fanny Lumsden | Godlands
Gold Fang | Gordi | Gretta Ray | Havana Brown | Hermitude | Hoodoo Gurus
ILLY | James Blundell | James Reyne | Jawbreakers | Jessica Mauboy | Jesswar | Jimmy Barnes | JK-47 | Jon Stevens | Kasey Chambers
Kate Ceberano | Kate Miller-Heidke | King Stingray | KYE | L-Fresh The Lion
Lydia Lunch and Joseph Keckler | Northlane | Pacific Avenue | Pania
Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos | Pop Crimes - The Songs Of Rowland S Howard
Raechel Whitchurch | Redhook | Ruby Fields | Sarah Blasko
Sneaky Sound System | Sophiya | Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
The Buoys | The Church | The Cruel Sea | The Presets | The Primitives | The Vanns
The Whitlams Black Stump Band | Tigerlily | Vallis Alps | Vika and Linda
Xavier Rudd | YNG MARTYR | Yothu Yindi | You Am I
Plus, more artists are to be announced.
Sneaky Sound System said, “Wagga Wagga, get ready as we’re packing up the car in March and bringing the tunes to start the party for Great Southern Nights!”
Ball Park Music said, “We’re extremely excited to be involved again with the Great Southern Nights program. This time we’ll be heading to Northern NSW to play our first ever show in Brunswick Heads. A few of us grew up in this area so it feels really special to come back and play. We’ll have our good friends Bean Magazine in tow too. It’s gonna be a ripper of a gig.”
Great Southern Nights is a NSW Government initiative delivered via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).
To find out more about Great Southern Nights and buy tickets, visit: http://www.greatsouthernnights.com.au
For further information about Sydney and NSW, visit: www.sydney.com or www.visitsnsw.com. For social media, please tag @sydney and @visitnsw, and use the hashtags #feelnewsydney and #feelNSW.
The Hon. John Graham MLC Credit: Anna Kucera
The Hon. John Graham MLC at Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch
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The Hon. John Graham MLC Credit: Anna Kucera
The Hon. John Graham MLC at Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch
Sneaky Sound System Credit: Anna Kucera
Sneaky Sound System performing at Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch
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Sneaky Sound System Credit: Anna Kucera
Sneaky Sound System performing at Great Southern Nights 2024 program launch
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MEDIA ASSETS
High-res artist imagery is available to download HERE.
Additional image and video assets will be available HERE after 2pm on Tuesday 12 December.
For media requests, please contact:
Janelle Morse, Publicist, Great Southern Nights | jmorse@aria.com.au | 0450 221 647
Carly Maloney, Marketing & Communications Manager, Great Southern Nights | cmaloney@aria.com.au | 0422 172 008
Emma Reyes, PR Manager, Destination NSW | emma.reyes@dnsw.com.au | 0424 425 813
About Destination NSW
Destination NSW is the champion and voice for the visitor economy within the NSW Government. Spearheading a whole-of-government approach to visitor economy growth, Destination NSW is responsible for leading the delivery of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 in partnership with government and industry. Destination NSW influences and shapes the visitor economy through strategic research, policy and thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and consultation, commercial partnerships and investment in visitor experiences, business support, marketing and events. Destination NSW is also the major investor in Business Events Sydney (BESydney) for the purpose of securing more international and domestic conventions, incentive travel reward programs, corporate events and exhibitions.
About ARIA
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is a national industry association with more than 175 members representing major and independent record producers, manufacturers, and distributors. ARIA acts as an advocate for the Australian music industry, administers the labelling code of practice, and compiles industry information and research. It also produces the ARIA Charts every week and the annual ARIA Awards. Most importantly, ARIA supports Australian music and creates opportunities for it to be heard.
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Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
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Destination NSW has teamed up with the popular YouTube channel Yes Theory, with its impressive 9.2 million subscribers, and Qantas, to fulfil 102-year-old San Franciso local, Dorothy Smith’s lifelong dream of visiting Sydney, Australia, completing her remarkable journey to every continent in the world.
Yes Theory producers Ammar Kandil and Staffan Taylor first met Dorothy in October 2024 when they moved into The Redwoods Retirement Village for 48 hours. Moved by Dorothy’s heartfelt regret of not yet reaching her final frontier, Australia, Ammar and Staffan felt compelled to help her complete this remarkable journey.
Reflecting on her motivation to travel and time in Sydney, Dorothy shared, "Travel is important to me because it’s a big world, and each country is different and has something different to offer; I want to see them all and I don’t want to miss anything!
“I loved visiting Sydney; it’s a beautiful city. The people are charming, the food is good, the scenery is just wonderful, and even the weather is nice! We saw the little koala bears, of course the Sydney Opera House, we went to the Botanic Gardens, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, good restaurants, and the lovely Bondi Beach where we got our feet a little wet and the water was really cold! And the people – they are all so nice, and so friendly!”
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
#feelnewsydney
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
#feelnewsydney
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
A living link to history, Dorothy is more than twice the age of the Sydney Opera House. In 1922, the year she was born, the NSW Government passed the Sydney Harbour Bridge Act, laying the foundation for the construction of the iconic bridge. Today, the Sydney Harbour Bridge stands as a powerful symbol of Australia’s resilience and connection to the world—a fitting backdrop for Dorothy’s own journey of exploration and discovery.
With Qantas’s support, Dorothy embarked on her adventure to Sydney in comfort, and received an exclusive invite to the cock-pit to meet the pilot, before she was warmly welcomed at Sydney Airport with personalised displays and a crowd of Yes Theory fans eager to celebrate her arrival. Her stay at the luxurious Shangri-La Sydney became a “home away from home,” offering Dorothy the chance to wake up to the breathtaking view of the Sydney Opera House—a landmark she had always dreamed of seeing firsthand.
Ammar Kandil, co-founder of Yes Theory, was driven to support her adventure saying, “Dorothy’s story is a powerful reminder that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, and we’re incredibly happy to help her achieve this lifelong dream to visit Sydney and tick of Australia as her seventh and final continent.
“Our mantra is ‘seek discomfort’ and embrace adventure, and Dorothy’s journey truly embodies the spirit of our channel. Her incredible story is set to inspire millions around the world to pursue their own adventures, no matter the obstacles.”
The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
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The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
#feelnewsydney
Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
Dorothy’s time in Sydney has been nothing short of iconic, filled with experiences that capture the heart of NSW. Her itinerary included:
- An afternoon cruising on Sydney Harbour, marvelling at the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House
- An up-close encounter with Australian wildlife at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour, where Dorothy met koalas, and even a kangaroo named Dorothy.
- A tour of the Sydney Opera House adding yet another milestone to her journey.
- A visit to the iconic Bondi Beach, where Dorothy enjoyed splashing her feet in the waves and seeing one of the world’s most famous beaches.
And Dorothy’s secret to a long, healthy life? “You have to exercise, you have to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and stay hydrated. And also, FUN! You have to have fun so you’ll stay healthy, and you can also enjoy 102 years! And if there’s anything else you want to try, go ahead and try it!”
To follow Dorothy’s journey and see Sydney through her remarkable perspective, check out Yes Theory’s latest video at youtube.com/@YesTheory.
For inspiration for your own Sydney adventure, visit sydney.com
Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
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Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
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Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.