Music makers, lovers, organisers, and curators have been coming together to help those in need for various causes for years and years. When the rapid fies hit Tasmania at the end of last year, many banded together in the hopes of providing some relief for those affected.
Tasmania’s Musuem of Old and New Art (MONA),who just recently wrapped up MONA FOMA 2013, put together a musical event to help raise proceeds towards the fire effort.
The booking fees were waived with all food and bar profits from the evening going to the Red Cross.
Among the artists that played were The Hoodoo Gurus, The Break (which MONA FOMA curator and former Violent Femmes bassist Brian Ritchie plays in) Kate Miller-Heidke, as well as a special joint gig by Evan Dando and Spencer P Jones, who have both just wrapped up their own tours of Australia.
David Faulkner, the frontman from Iconic Sydney band the Hoodoo Gurus said that he was honoured to be able to perform for such a good cause, states The Mercury,
“We all watched the news with horror as the Tasmanian bushfire emergency rapidly worsened,” he said.
“Being surrounded by my loved ones only brought home to me more the terrible losses that so many other Australian families were facing at what should be a joyful time of year.”
The Falls Festival also made efforts to aid those affected by the disaster by donating $10,000 to the Red Cross, and urging friends, family, and music lovers to do the same by heading to https://give.everydayhero.com/au/falls-festival.
Melbourne’s iconic music venue The Tote also decided to lend a hand over the Australia Day long weekend.
Between the door charge, donations, BBQ takings, and online account tally the venue has so far raised $5,576.30 for the Tasmanian Bushfires Appeal.
The all day gig also inspired Emily McMillan from Guitar Village in Frankston to donate musical equipment to Dunalley School, which has yet to reopen after being severely affected by the bushfires.
All performers on the day, which included Witch Hats, Wally Corker’s Drunk Arse Band, Tom Lyngcoln, The Fish John West Reject, The Bulls and many more, had at least one band member from Tasmania or actually started their career down there.
With various companies chipping in including Cascade, Coles, Woolies, and Quest Apartments, it’s no wonder the event did so well.
This isn’t the first time that Australia’s music community have banded together to help those in need. In early 2011, Big Day Out festival donated $20,000 to Queensland flood victims after the northern city was left virtually underwater. They also organised for a ock ‘n’ roll auction to take place with prizes including passes to Coachella Festival and a meet and greet with Katy Perry.
That year’s Big Day Out headliners The Foo Fighters also managed to raise a staggering million dollars, which went to both the victims of the floods, as well as those in need in Christchurch after the devastating earthquake.
For those who didn’t make it along to The Tote on the day, you can still donate to this link below.
www.redcrossfundraising.org.au/totetasbenefitgig
*This gig is registered with the Red Cross and every cent donated on the day went direct to the charity.
