Great Southern Nights Announces Return Of Gig Trails, Expands Locations

After the success of previous years, the Great Southern Nights Gig Trails return to Newcastle and this year, expands into new areas across NSW.

Great Southern Nights has already secured an epic line-up of performers for this year’s program, and today, it’s growing some more with the return of the Great Southern Nights Gig Trails.

After the success of previous years, the Great Southern Nights Gig Trails return to Newcastle and this year, take over new areas of Sydney. From Chippendale to Newtown/Enmore and pop-ups in Port Kembla for the first time, the Gig Trails are offering unique, walkable experiences for music lovers and foodies in equal measure.

Coinciding with the launch of this year’s Great Southern Nights program, Midtown Newcastle will host a multi-venue live music trail from 5 pm on Friday, 1 May, until 2 am on Saturday, 2 May. Eleven venues, including Bernie’s Bar, Charlie’s Rooftop, and The Happy Wombat, will host live music, a karaoke rickshaw interactive tour, and local food and drink specials.

The following week, it will be time for the Chippendale takeover. Secret laneways, hidden nooks and beloved bars will be buzzing with life on Saturday, 9 May, from 1 pm until late. Acoustic sets, entertainment, and pop-up performances can be found at Gin Lane, Sneaky Possum, The Lansdowne Hotel, and other venues.

In addition to the excitement in Chippendale, Port Kembla will host its first Gig Trail from 12 pm until late, also on Saturday, 9 May. Record labels will host pop-ups, plus art, street performances, and other experiences can be enjoyed at Black Metal Motor Co., The Servo, and The Vault, among other spaces.

From 2 pm to 2 am on Saturday, 16 May, it’s Newtown and Enmore’s turn to transform the district into a haven for music lovers. Unique activations will be held at Hive Bar, Palomino Lounge, Young Henry’s, and more.

To find out more about this year’s Gig Trails, head to the Great Southern Nights website.

“By activating more gig trails in live music pockets, we’re creating spaces where emerging artists share the stage with established acts and whole neighbourhoods come alive,” said Annabelle Herd, CEO of ARIA.

She continued, “Grab some friends and wander the streets following the sound of music spilling out of venues, stumbling across solo sets under streetlights and sharing the joy of live music with the artists bringing these precincts to life.”

NSW’s 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, Michael Rodrigues, added, “The State’s 24-Hour Economy calls them ‘vibrant, co-ordinated precincts,’ but I like to think about them as ‘pockets of fun.’

“Supported by our Office through our Uptown program, local businesses are coming together, getting organised, and working as a team to bring their local areas to life. This co-ordinated approach has delivered results in Greater Sydney with areas like Newtown/Enmore and Chippendale as examples.

“I am excited to see this approach take shape beyond the metropolitan area. Both Midtown in Newcastle and Port Kembla are stunning locations to co-host Great Southern Nights - by locals, for locals.”

In addition to confirming the return of Gig Trails, Great Southern Nights has added 114 new gigs in venues across Sydney, South Coast, Newcastle, Northern Rivers and Wollongong.

The free and ticketed shows include performances by Touch Sensitive, Husky, Tropical Fuck Storm, Maple Glider, Darren Hanlon, Letters To Lions, Bootleg Rascal, Radio Free Alice, and many others.

The already-announced Great Southern Nights line-up is:

3% | AMBER LAWRENCE | ANGEL WHITE | AUGIE MARCH | BAKER BOY

BALL PARK MUSIC | BEDDY RAYS | BLISS N ESO | BOY SODA | CLOUD CONTROL

DENZEL CURRY (US) | DOPE LEMON | DUNE RATS | ELECTRIC FIELDS | EMMA DONOVAN

GENESIS OWUSU | GOLDEN FEATURES | GORDI | HANNAH JOY (Middle Kids)

KATH EBBS presents COWBOY COUNTRY | KELI HOLIDAY | KITA ALEXANDER

KLP | LARISSA LAMBERT | LIME CORDIALE | LISA SIMONE (USA)

MADDY JANE | MAPLE’S PET DINOSAUR | MATT CORBY | MAY-A | MEG MAC

MEMPHIS LK | MISSY HIGGINS | NINAJIRACHI | PANIA | PAUL KELLY

PEKING DUK | PETE MURRAY | PLAYLUNCH | REGURGITATOR

SARA BERKI | SHANE HOWARD + SHANE NICHOLSON + SARA STORER

SONS OF THE EAST | STEPH STRINGS | THE CAT EMPIRE | THE CHATS