Tag: Sound Relief

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sound Relief Gets a DVD Release

The massive Sound Relief concerts staged last year to benefit the Victorian bushfire and Queensland flood victims will be released on a big four-DVD set.

The concerts staged in Melbourne and Sydney featured one of the most incredible line-ups of local and international talent ever assembled, including Coldplay, John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Barry Gibb, Kylie Minogue, Wolfmother, The Living End, Gabriella Cilmi, Jack Johnson, Midnight Oil, Split Enz, and many more.

“Sound Relief was literally born from the ashes of a terrible time in Australia’s history. The concerts became so much more than just a charity fundraising event; they were a way for the community to unite and heal,” Michael Gudinski said in a statement.

“I’m overjoyed that the DVD release can go ahead and we can’t express our appreciation enough to the artists and everyone involved who helped make it possible. Since the day of the concert we’ve received so many enquiries about whether the concerts would be released on DVD that I wouldn’t be surprised if this became the highest selling DVD in Australian history.

“It is fitting that a lasting record will be available of this once in a lifetime event for future generations.”

The DVDs will be released through Liberation Music in October.

Image source: Rachel Hofton @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sound Relief Raises More Than $8 Million for Disaster Charities

Fresh from the news that Bushfire Aid has raised $1.6 million for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal comes official reports of the profits of Sound Relief. The benefit concerts staged in Sydney and Melbourne last month raised more than $8 million. If you’re keeping score, that’s $7,159,760 for the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal and $874,416 for the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.

“We are thrilled with the amount of money raised by Sound Relief. It is no small exercise to stage two stadium concerts of such magnitude and the willingness of so many to provide their talent, time, labour and equipment free or at cost has allowed such a significant sum to be raised for the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal and The Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal,” the organisers said in a statement.

“We are proud to have been part of Sound Relief and hope the funds raised will help to heal the communities that have been impacted on by these devastating disasters.”

The concerts reunited classic acts like Midnight Oil, Hunters & Collectors, and Split Enz, and featured surprise duets by Coldplay and John Farnham and Barry Gibb and Olivia Newton-John.

Image source: Wikipedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Music Community Unites for Sound Relief

45, 000 Sydneysiders and 80, 000 Melburnians crammed into their respective cricket grounds for yesterday’s massive Sound Relief concerts.

Crowds at both shows were treated to some extra special performances. Coldplay originally promised an acoustic set, but their electric numbers proved anything but ordinary with the surprise addition of John Farnham to the line-up. The Aussie music veteran joined Coldplay for “Fix You” and “You’re The Voice,” a song Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin called the “national anthem.”

Having living legend Barry Gibb close the show was exciting enough, but to have Olivia Newton-John join him for the Kenny Rogers Dolly Parton classic “Islands in the Stream” was something else. They might not admit it freely, but I’m convinced everyone has a soft spot for that song.

Melbourne didn’t miss out either, with some amazing reformations and international stars. One of the biggest was Midnight Oil, who closed the show.

Their 50-minute set included hit after hit, “Read About It,” “Beds Are Burning” and “Blue Sky Mining” among them.

“You are such a good crowd for such an important event,” Peter Garrett told the enthusiastic crowd.

Initial reports said Kylie wouldn’t sing, but she did anyway, wowing crowds with this beautiful acoustic rendition of “I Still Call Australia Home.” This is another of those songs eligible for the title of honorary anthem – it gets to me every time. This video is preceded by a moving minute’s silence in remembrance of the victims.

Kings of Leon wouldn’t play “Sex on Fire” lest it offend the bushfire victims, yet their mammoth hit “Use Somebody” was well received. From the pop tunes of Gabriella Cilmi to the laidback sounds of Jack Johnson, and the country-tinged duets of Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, it was a concert that delivered something for everybody.

Wolfmother and Jet worked double-time, appearing at both Sydney and Melbourne shows. But they didn’t mind, with Wolfmother singer Andrew Stockdale adding that the event was one of the most significant in Australian music history.

“It just shows what this country does – it gets behind people when they’re down and out,” he told The Sunday Telegraph.

Organisers expect the event to raise more than $5 million for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal and Queensland flood victims.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Barry Gibb Confirmed for Sound Relief

We heard the rumours but now it’s official. Barry Gibb will come out of retirement to close the Sound Relief benefit concert at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The former Bee Gee will play with a star-studded band featuring INXS drummer Jon Farriss.

“Every artist who grew up on the Bee Gees will want to be side of stage for this one, no matter how young they are,” an insider said yesterday.

Here’s another rumour for you. Barry’s expected to bring a special guest from America with him to perform a couple of tunes: none other than our beloved Olivia Newtown-John! This show just keeps getting more exciting!

Image source: Newscom

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sound Relief a Record Breaker

This Saturday’s Sound Relief concerts have already smashed records, with the Melbourne show becoming the largest paid concert event in Australian history. With artists like Kings of Leon, Midnight Oil, and Gabriella Cilmi on the bill, and money raised benefiting the Victorian bushfire victims, it’s little wonder why!

“It’s just an amazing result,” said Sound Relief co-organiser Michael Gudinski. “The lineup is without doubt a once in a lifetime one, but it’s truly impressive how much the Australian public has gotten behind this.  It speaks volumes of the passion of our great country – helping a mate in trouble.”

And with the addition of Kylie Minogue to the line-up, the show at the MCG is only going to get bigger. She’ll make an appearance as special guest MC.

“To me, Kylie is Melbourne.  Her attendance is the cherry on the top of an already phenomenal lineup.  She’s our girl.” Michael Gudinski said.

With other 78, 000 tickets sold, the Melbourne concert has been declared a sell out. Lucky fans in Sydney can still secure tickets, with more released today. Profits from the SCG show will be shared between the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal and The Premier’s Disaster Relief Fund to aid victims of the Queensland floods.

Image source: PR Photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Barry Gibb and Kylie Minogue Tipped for Sound Relief

There are whispers that Barry Gibb and Kylie Minogue may be added to the already massive Sound Relief concert bill.

Word is that Ian “Molly” Meldrum has coaxed the former Bee Gee out of retirement. If anyone could have done it, it would have been Molly!

Molly’s also saying that Kylie will play at the benefit show, but no formal announcement has been made yet.

The March 14 Sound Relief concerts will raise much needed funds for victims of the Victorian bushfires and Queensland floods. Tickets went on sale yesterday, but limited tickets are still available.

Image source: PR Photos