Emerging SA acts to play alongside Chisel at Clipsal 500

The Clipsal 500 Adelaide V8 Supercars race in March drew 273,600 attendees this year and 286,500 in 2013.

It’s obviously good exposure for the music acts who play its three-night Bands On Track entertainment series. This year, these drew a total 18,000 punters, leading Minister for Tourism Leon Bignell to observe that as well as delivering motor racing action, the Clipsal 500 also provided a stand-out music event.

Cold Chisel were announced in August to headline the final After Race concert on Sunday March 1. Bagnall hailed the entertainment program “a great mix of local and national talent as well as award-winning performers certain to keep the Clipsal 500 fans entertained throughout the event.”

Clipsal 500 CEO Mark Warren added: “Cold Chisel is one of Australia’s most popular ever bands and exciting live performers. This could well be one of the last opportunities for fans to see them perform at an outdoor concert of this scale anywhere in the country."

Race organisers also showcase emerging or rising South Australian acts. They have teamed up with peak music association Music SA to find six new and emerging acts to join the headliners on Bands On Track 2015.

Two will be for the Sunday March 1 show with Chisel, Spiderbait and Adelaide band 100 Proof which features late Chisel drummer Steve Prestwich’s brother Tim Prestwich on guitar and vocals.

Two are for the Saturday February 28 hard rock night with Zep Boys and John ‘Swanee’ Swan.The final two join Stafford Brothers, Havana Brown, Timmy Trumpet and Ruby Rose for the opener on Friday February 27.

PJ Murton, Acting Managing Director Music SA said, “We’re delighted to be partnering with Clipsal 500 Adelaide to deliver the Bands On Track project for a fourth year. We know that South Australia has some of the best songwriters and performers in the country, and we’re excited that they have this unique opportunity to perform to massive crowds on a big stage with full concert production!”

Submissions close at midnight on Monday January 12 at musicsa.com.au.

This year out of 112 applications, Music SA’s judging panel chose the match-ready MC Jimblah, Bad//Dreems, hip hop collective Full Tote Odds, Echo and the Empress, Max Savage & The False Idols and folk artist Kaurna Cronin.

As in past years, the shows are filmed by three cameras and mixed, and given to the acts for promo purposes. Most of the footage appeared online.

The race also draws about 15,000 people from interstate and New Zealand, pumping $34 million into the South Australia economy and $141 million worth of media exposure. Last year, the Clipsal 500, the Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide – all held around the same time – provided a combined economic impact of $138 million.