What started out as a phone call between friends brainstorming ways to raise money for the Tathra bushfire appeal has quickly evolved into one of the Sapphire Coast’s biggest music events.
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“We were thinking of ways to raise money and I said ‘why don’t we do a concert?’” Event coordinator Darren Jones said.
“And within 24 hours it just took off, now we’ve got one of the country’s biggest rock bands on the lineup.”
He is referring to Hoodoo Gurus, who were announced as the headliners at the Band Together Tathra bushfire relief concert alongside 90s Australian rock icons 1927 and The Badloves and local Frankie J Holden’s band from back in the day, Ol’55.
In total, 29 bands will play the day including local favourites Daniel Champagne, Jack Billman and The Figmentz.
“This is the time for the Sapphire Coast to put postcodes aside and come together for Tathra.”
- Darren Jones, Band Together event coordinator
While Mr Jones previous experience in music industry with INXS gave him the connections to performers and producers, his previous experience as a police officer has given him a personal understanding of the devastation caused by bushfires.
“I was on the ground during the 2001 Blue Mountains bushfires, so I know how destructive they can be, not just while they are burning, but for months afterwards too,” he said.
The Band Together concert is happening at the Sapphire Coast Turf Club on May 26, more than two months after the fires hit. Mr Jones said continuing support beyond the immediate emergency was important to fundraising and community cohesion.
“Raising money is one element of putting this concert on, but the other arm is a show of strength in numbers, because through tragedy comes strength,” he said.
“This is the time for the Sapphire Coast to put postcodes aside and come together for Tathra.”
Mr Jones said the response to Band Together had been overwhelming.
“People are calling to help because feel a personal connection,” he said.
“Either they are from Tathra, have a family connection or they’ve experienced bushfires somewhere else, these are the people reaching out and putting their hands up.”
Sapphire Coast Turf Club are partnering with Band Together, providing the venue free of charge and passing on all profits from their food and drinks sales to the fundraising appeal.
All the musicians are waiving their performance fees, and those coming from interstate are flying into Merimbula courtesy of Rex Airlines.
Club Sapphire donated significantly to get the project off the ground and Sydney-based event company Stagekings Australia is donating their time and a $25,000 stage setup for the event, driven by an employee who is a former resident of Tathra.
A major raffle will be held on the day, with boat and vehicle retailers from along the coast signing up to give away a choice of a new caravan, boat or car to the lucky winner.
Rural Fire Service volunteers will cruise through the crowd collecting donations throughout the day. All proceeds will go to the Bega Valley Shire Council’s official Mayoral Appeal Fund.
“We’re just tipping our bucket into the mayor's bucket,” Mr Jones said.
Tickets are already selling rapidly and there had been a lot of interest in the event from the beginning.
“We’re only in the early stages of promotion, but this thing is promoting itself really, everyone wants to know how they can get involved,” Mr Jones said.
General admission tickets are $35 and family passes cost $85. Children under 12 are welcome free of charge and can make the most of activities running through the day, including a jumping castle, bubble soccer and kids entertainment, like magic and clowns. Tickets can be booked through the Band Together website.