Over 400 of the biggest names in Australian music have united to promote a campaign that calls on citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the Australian government to stop the nation’s cyclical lockdowns, which saw two-thirds of jobs within the live entertainment industry disappear last year.
The #VaxTheNation advertising campaign, supported by record labels, festival organisers, ticketing agents, tour promoters and the likes of Amy Shark, Flume, Tim Minchin and Cub Sport, will roll out across national television ads and social media.
Peking Duck, an Australian electronic music duo, said getting vaccinated was a “win-win.”
"Get the jab. You’re saving lives and making it possible for us all to dance together again,” the musicians said in support of the campaign, spearheaded by LIVE Alliance, a newly established collection of Australian music organisations, including former rivals Frontier Touring and Live Nation.
Rockers The Amity Affliction, who have provided Global Citizens with free tickets to their upcoming Sydney gig through Global Citizen Rewards, likewise urged Australians to think about vaccination through a community lens.
"Getting vaccinated is a way to protect those most vulnerable in our society. It’s not about you or me. It is about us,” they said.
I support #VaxTheNation lets bring back Live Music 🥁 pic.twitter.com/byJVfjxkRg
— Amy Shark (@amyshark) September 7, 2021
Last year, the live performance industry claimed $23.6 billion of economic output was lost due to restrictions and lockdowns.
Over $10 billion of added value has been missed.
While December 2020 to May 2021 saw a significant easing of restrictions across Victoria, Australia’s worst-hit state, and life across the country seemed to go back to a pre-pandemic normal, cases have now once again surged. On Sept. 13, New South Wales recorded 1,257 daily cases.
Victoria saw a little under 500 new daily cases.
Almost half of New South Wales is fully vaccinated, with the state expected to reach the desired 80% on Oct. 27.
Just over 40% of Victorians are fully vaccinated, with the 80% target expected on Dec. 9.
Both states are likewise once again in strict lockdowns, with all restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs and theatres closed.
On Sept. 4, Evelyn Richardson, the chief executive of Live Performance Australia, said that even when vaccination targets are reached and lockdowns end, live entertainment will not be able to financially operate until strict capacity limits are removed, and domestic and international borders open permanently, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Richardson warned commercial live events must be able to ensure governments permit 85% capacity before opening.
As a result, Australia may not see live performances until 2022.