Music Month in the City

If the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions taught us anything, it’s how much we fundamentally need human connection.

As venue capacity restrictions begin to lift, music lovers can again enjoy live gigs with friends as the Civic Theatre programs more COVIDSafe events over Music Month in November than any other month in living memory.

Kicking off on Friday 6 November with the first of two sold-out Lime Cordiale gigs at the Civic Theatre and Jesse Maddigan’s album launch in the Playhouse, Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said the Music Month program had been curated to suit a wide range of musical tastes and ages.

^{Lime Cordiale perform to a sold-out audience at the Civic Theatre as part of the Great Southern Nights initiative.}

“Newcastle is a key venue on the 1000-gig Great Southern Nights initiative, which is kick-starting the recovery of the live music industry across the state,” Ms Wallace said. 

“Across our three venues, we’re hosting brilliant performances, from jazz sensation Emma Pask to contemporary songsmith William Crighton, to chart-topper Tones and I who’s delivering a highly-anticipated all-ages gig. 

“Our team has also worked with a number of local promoters, effectively curating the curators, to bring together two brilliant all-ages shows shining the spotlight on up-and-coming local talent.” 

The first has been dubbed Musical Chairs and will take to the Civic Theatre stage on 14 November. The second, City Hall Sounds, as the name implies, will be rocking the iconic City Hall on 21 November. 

Director of Bad Vibrations, Dave Couri, said he was excited to be teaming up with Y Project as part of Great Southern Nights to stage City Hall Sounds and spearhead the return to live music in Newcastle. 

“Our two companies have been staging live music events across Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne for more than a decade collectively,” Mr Couri said. 

“We share a passion for creating safer, more accessible gigs and festivals for people of all ages, with a focus on showcasing local artists. Coming together under the Great Southern Nights initiative to work with the team at the Civic Theatre has opened the door to beautiful venues we would never usually dream of accessing. 

“This opportunity comes at a crucial time for our industry and wider community as we navigate a path back to live music and arts events in a responsible way.” 

Another event, which is part of Music Month, had its inception during lockdown. Music People is an initiative of Field Frequency, which secured a City of Newcastle Industry Response Program grant to stage a series of online live streaming music events. 

On 17 November, the fifth event in the series will take place in the Civic Theatre and, for the first time, this offering will feature a live audience who have the opportunity to purchase $10 tickets for a behind-the-scenes look at the production of a live-streamed gig. 

Rounding out the Music Month line-up, November also sees the return of Civic Bar Beats. Every Friday throughout November and December, as part of this popular free event, local acts will take to the stage in Wheeler Place, showcasing their unique talents while guests celebrate the end of the working week. 

To get punters in the mood for whichever gig they’re attending this Friday, Civic Bar Beats will be featuring the cool tunes of India Seddon Callaghan from 5pm. 

“The City Theatre and City of Newcastle are delighted to be bringing life back into the city with these live music initiatives,” Ms Wallace added. 

“They will be a significant boost to the night-time economy of the city centre and their importance to both the musicians and promoters, and the audiences who have long awaited the return of large-scale music events, is beyond doubt.” 

All bookings can be made via the Civic Theatre Ticket Office; phone 4929 1977 or visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au 

Civic Theatre Music Month Program