72 Aussie acts to perform for live-streamed music festival

Live streaming is fast becoming the new norm as the music industry continues to employ innovative ways to connect artists and fans distanced by the coronavirus outbreak.

Off the back of dozens of artists streaming live sets from their homes this week, multiple Aussie artists will team up for Isol-Aid this weekend, an Instagram Live music festival.

With 72 local artists will perform across 24 hours, kicking off at 12pm on Saturday, March 21. Things will pick up again at midday on Sunday for another 12 hours of musical goodness.

The initiative is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Merpire, festival organiser Em Ulman (Brunswick Music Festival/Small Time) and Shannen Egan of Turning Heads Agency.

Stella Donnelly, Angie McMahon, Spacey Jane, Julia Jacklin, Didirri, Hayley Mary, Cry Club, Clews, Lanks, Columbus and many more are taking part.

Each act will play for 20-minutes, from wherever they are self-isolating, streamed over their Instagram account, before tagging in the next artist on the schedule.

READ MORE: What the music biz is doing to help artists during the COVID-19 crisis

With festivals including Download, Groovin The Moo, Bluesfest and Splendour In The Grass either cancelled or postponed, many are tipping the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to decimate the live music industry.

So as the live sector lobbies the government for support, artists performing at Isol-Aid will encourage fans to buy music and merchandise from Bandcamp, Patreon and more.

“As the COVID-19 outbreak threatens live music across the globe, Australian artists from all over the world band together to create Isol-Aid, a socially (media) distanced music festival,” says the event description.

“In a matter of weeks, tours, local shows and public appearances have been cancelled across the board and the international music community has come to a standstill and faces an uncertain future.

“According to ilostmygig.net.au, the current tally of losses for the Australian music community, (for performers, production, crew, hospo workers, managers, booking agents & more) sits at $150 million dollars.”

Viewers will also be encouraged to donate to Support Act’s COVID-19 Emergency Appeal.

And a reminder, all money used to make purchases on Bandcamp today (Friday, March 20) will go straight to the artist, with the platform waiving its revenue share for the whole day.