Jimmy Barnes Calls On Qld & SA State Govts To Better Support Touring Artists

Jimmy Barnes is calling on the Queensland and South Australian State Governments to help support touring artists through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The calls come following the cancellation of Barnes' Flesh & Blood Tour which was due to kick off in Brisbane next month and see the music legend perform at the Gold Coast, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth throughout the month-long run. 

"My band, my crew and music fans around the country are all doing it really tough right now so these latest round of cancelled gigs will be yet another kick in the guts for them at a really bad time," said Barnes of the cancellation today. 

"Hopefully if we all do the right things and get vaccinated as soon as possible then we’ll be enjoying gigs together before too much longer."

Barnes has said that Government support schemes in Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria will see both the tour promoter and tour staff compensated for some of the losses from the tour and is imploring the Queensland and South Australian State Governments to follow suit to support artists following mass cancellations around the country. 

READ MORE: Aus Music Roundtable Reveals Industry Left In The Dark As COVID Continues To Decimate It

"It’s a real pity that the QLD and SA governments haven’t bothered to match these other States by introducing similar schemes," said Barnes. 

"I don’t know what they’re waiting for. The music community is really on its knees right now so I think QLD and SA should seriously consider stepping up like the other states have already done."

Barnes is the latest to voice the need for greater support for Australian artists, with leading industry bodies - APRA AMCOS, ARIA, PPCA, Live Performance Australia, Live Entertainment Industry Forum and the Australian Festival Association - uniting earlier this month to call for a government-backed insurance scheme from the Australian Federal Government to help promoters through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Green Room With Tiana Speter podcast has taken a look at the issues facing the Australian music industry a year and a half into the battle with COVID-19, speaking with industry leaders, politicians and artists about the devastating impact. Listen here.

Ticketholders for the Flesh & Blood Tour will be contacted directly by the ticketing agency they purchased through, with tickets to be automatically refunded into their account within approximately 20 days. 

Barnes has announced that he is working on plans for an extensive 2022 tour. Merchandise for the 2021 tour is now available for purchase through Barnes' website with all profits from the items to go to Barnes' band and crew. Fans will also receive a free stubby cooler (while stocks last) when they use the code FRONTIER. Head here for all the info.