The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is ramping up across the nation, and now Australia’s $36.4 billion Live Entertainment Industry is speaking out. More than 400 of Australia’s artists and performers have joined forces with tour promoters, music festivals, venues, ticketing agencies, record labels, comedy producers, theatre, opera and dance companies, media outlets, industry associations, peak bodies, and global brands like YouTube and TikTok are launching #VAXTHENATION – a new campaign asking Australians to help ‘stop the interruptions’ and get vaccinated.
Spearheaded by the newly established LIVE Alliance (Live Industry Venues + Entertainment) – which includes representatives from organisations Association of Artist Managers (AAM), Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC), Australian Music Industry Network (AMIN), APRA AMCOS, Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), Australian Festivals Association (AFA), Frontier Touring/Mushroom Group, the Live Entertainment Industry Forum, Live Nation, Live Performance Australia (LPA), Secret Sounds and TEG – #VAXTHENATION has brought our country’s Live Events Industry together.
Lending their names to #VAXTHENATION are over 225 performers including Powderfinger, Jimmy Barnes, Tim Minchin, Courtney Barnett, Celeste Barber, Vance Joy, Paul Kelly, Archie Roach, Em Rusciano, Guy Sebastian, Dave Thornton, Adam Harvey, Amy Shark, Iva Davies, Gina Jeffreys, John Williamson, Courtney Act, Birds Of Tokyo, Tom Gleeson, Amyl & The Sniffers, Hilltop Hoods, Nazeem Hussain, Marcia Hines, Midnight Oil, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Christian Hull, Troy Cassar-Daley, Nina Las Vegas, Briggs, Judith Lucy, Daryl Braithwaite, Human Nature, Melinda Schneider and countless more.
#VAXTHENATION aims to remind all Australians of the magic of live events. It kicks off September 6th with a national television campaign soundtracked by multi-Platinum ARIA winners Powderfinger, who donated the use of their iconic hit single My Happiness.
Launched under the guidance of advertising guru Russel Howcroft, the TVC was created by agencies Mushroom Creative House and Good One Creative. Says Howcroft:
“With an awesome idea generated by Good One Creative and the incredible creative direction and production capability of Mushroom, we have managed to pull together a powerful campaign via generosity of spirit and a burning desire to rock on. Huge thanks in particular to Powderfinger and the inspired leadership of the LIVE steering committee.”
With a target of 80% agreed by National Cabinet, the LIVE Alliance says vaccinations are not only important for overall public health but an essential step in stopping the ongoing and devastating effect to our live entertainment and events industry. LIVE Alliance members say:
“The impact of the pandemic on Australia’s world-leading music, theatre, comedy and live entertainment industries has been truly devastating. Getting vaccinated is the crucial step fans can take which will allow us to join together and enjoy the unbeatable magic of live performance once again.”
Head to the #VAXTHENATION website for further details and information on where to get your jab: vaxthenation.com.au.