There are many things to love about November. We get to enjoy spring in the southern hemisphere and celebrate #AusMusicMonth. I’ve selected just a few events, by no means an exhaustive list, happening around the country to highlight the value that music adds to our lives.
Music transcends linguistic barriers and is a powerful medium for unity, harmony, and positive change. Where possible, I encourage you to listen to Aussie artists, attend ticketed gigs or live-stream Aussie music shows, purchase Aussie merchandise, and follow as many Aussie musicians on social media as you can to show them much-needed support following the industry shutdowns over the past months.
Last Night, I live-streamed Jo Lawry’s gig at The Wheatsheaf Hotel and the previous night, I attended the second Interplay event in Nexus Arts’ performance series. Both gigs featured a diversity of music languages including jazz, blues, pop, folk, and music of the world.
For the languages of music to survive, evolve, and flourish we must be their custodians and accept that we play a part in cultivating our art forms for the benefit of future generations.
Here are some ways you can get involved in #AusMusicMonth:
1. Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival (1 November)
This year marks the 30th anniversary of this iconic festival. There are both ticketed events you can live-stream and a free community program you can view here.
2. South Australian Music Awards (3 November)
The SAM Awards exist to recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in the South Australian contemporary music industry and take place annually in Adelaide, South Australia every November. Tickets are available to attend this event live here.
3. Great Southern Nights NSW (5 – 29 November)
This event is a NSW Government initiative, delivered by its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) to stimulate the revival of the live music and entertainment sectors and in turn the visitor economy in the recovery phase of COVID-19. You can view the gig guide here.
4. Music Count Us In – Celebration Day (5 November)
Music: Count Us In exists to advocate for and celebrate music in Australian schools. If you’re a music teacher you can register to take part in celebration day here.
5. Mornings at Ukaria + Australian String Quartet Live On Demand (13 November)
You can attend this live gig or live-stream the ASQ. More than just live-streamed concerts, the ASQ Live at UKARIA series mixes lifestyle programming and live-performance with splash of broadcasting excitement. Ever wondered what really happens in the wings before the performance begins? Here’s your backstage pass!
6. AusMusic T-Shirt Day (20 November)
Ausmusic T-Shirt Day is a massive nation-wide celebration of Australian music that reminds us how lucky we are to have such a strong local music scene, with many highly talented and successful artists across all genres of music. Get involved and support your favourite artists here.
7. A Night of Jazz (25 November)
Live music returns to the newly-refurbished Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide. International Jazz Day re-imagined for 2020. This will be an unforgettable night of world class music, featuring a stellar line-up of local jazz luminaries. Renowned Adelaide jazz musician, composer and ARIA award-winner Lyndon Gray curates a line-up of some of South Australia’s best local jazz talent to celebrate Adelaide’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music. Purchase tickets here.
8. ARIA Awards (25 November)
There’s still time to vote for your favourite commercial acts in this year’s ARIA Awards. Check out the nominees on their website and register your vote here.
9. Melbourne Music Week – Extended (9 December – 28 February)
While not strictly in November, our musician friends in Victoria need your support more than ever. Melbourne Music Week has been extended to run over three months to help the industry recover from the industry shutdowns. You can subscribe for updates here.
Have you got a music event that we should know about? Are you an artist working on exciting creative projects? Let’s start a conversation. You can comment on this article or reach out to The Serenade Files on social media.
