‘It’s Time To Step Up’: Aus Live Industry Launches Major Vax Campaign

Australia’s live entertainment industry has rallied together to launch the #VAXTHENATION campaign, an initiative asking people to help ‘stop the interruptions’ and get vaccinated ASAP.

As various parts of the country remain in lockdown due to the Delta variant of COVID-19, more than 215 of Australia’s biggest artists have spoken out alongside leading tour promoters, music festivals, venues, ticketing agencies, record labels, comedy producers, theatre, opera and dance companies, streaming platforms, industry associations, peak bodies and more.

Spearheaded by the newly established Live Industry Venues & Entertainment Alliance (a group which includes APRA AMCOS, ARIA, Frontier Touring/Mushroom Group, Live Nation, Live Performance Australia, Secret Sounds, TEG and more), #VAXTHENATION, which launches today, has already seen support from Jimmy Barnes, The Amity Affliction, Tim Minchin, Paul Kelly, Archie Roach, Amy Shark, Hilltop Hoods, Marcia Hines, Midnight Oil, Briggs, Daryl Braithwaite, Amyl & The Sniffers, Alice Skye and stacks more.

Powderfinger have also donated their hit My Happiness for its national television campaign.

Here’s what some of the country’s most beloved acts are saying around #VAXTHENATION.

The Amity Affliction

"Getting vaccinated is a way to protect those most vulnerable in our society. It’s not about you, or me. It is about us."

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Amyl & The Sniffers

“If you can get vaccinated you should, unless you can figure out another way out of this mundane lukewarm bath filled with piss of an era. The risks of side effects are low, it’s going to be ok! Honestly, I’m fully vaxxed with no side effects! It’s for the community as a whole, so take one for the team.”

Archie Roach

“It’s like boxing – a few well-placed jabs can keep your opponent at bay – so let's get the jab to fight COVID-19 so we can get back to what we love doing.”

Cosmo's Midnight

"It’s time to step up and get the jab! Look after your neighbours, your community along with present and future loved ones, especially vulnerable members who are high risk. The sooner we all roll up our sleeves and get vaxxed the sooner we can get back to doing all the things we love."

Cub Sport

"It’s really important for us to contribute our voice to encourage our fans to get vaccinated so we can breathe life back into the music industry and come together to experience the joy of live shows again. There’s a lot of fear being spread – and this isn’t about shaming people with different views, it’s about informing with compassion and doing what we can personally to help rebuild an industry that brings joy and belonging to so many people."

Darren Hayes

"Living in Los Angeles and witnessing firsthand how devastating the virus can be, I encourage all Australians to get vaccinated as soon as they possibly can. The loss of life in the United States has been unimaginable – over 600,000 souls and counting. By getting your jab you significantly decrease your chances of getting seriously ill or needing hospitalization if you contract COVID-19, and you’ll be doing your part in helping stop the spread and the mutation of the virus. You’ll also bring us closer to a world where we can be safe in the company of the ones we love and carry on dancing."

Daryl Braithwaite

"The live music and arts Industry, like many other industries has been crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic. I receive my second AstraZeneca in two weeks and I believe that the only way to come to grips with it is to vaccinate. Vaccination will most definitely get us back to experiencing the joy of live music once again."

Emma Donovan

"Reaching out to our communities and families to continue to do well. Get vaccinated, do your part and help us get back to gigs and playing for you all."

Gordi

"We have some of the most beautiful music venues in the world here in Australia. Right now they’re empty. If you’re eligible to be vaccinated, please go get a jab. Then we can get back to filling these beautiful spaces again."

Liz Stringer

"I believe that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best thing we can do for our own health and for the health and safety of our loved ones and of our communities, particularly those members who are at greater risk. The pandemic has shown what can be achieved when communities pull together and look after each other. In my opinion, vaccination is another step along this road, and the most powerful one we have within our individual reach."

Marcia Hines

"I’d like you to know how very much my colleagues and I miss what we do for a living as musicians. Our experience onstage while performing for you all is what I believe joy and great memories are made of, and it’s important that we all get the jab so we can get back to what we love doing! I am supporting the #vaxthenation campaign and hopefully through this we can all look forward to making music again soon."

Mark Seymour

"The music business has been smashed by COVID. Thousands of workers are unemployed. I’m appealing to you to get vaccinated not only for your own health, but for the future of Australian music. The more vaccinated we are, the bigger the crowds can be, and the sooner live music can get back on its feet. Please consider the artists you love and the thousands of workers who make the gigs happen. Show your support and get it done."

Odette

"We’re all afraid about what’s going to happen next, that’s a given. But seriously guys, science is hot. I got jabbed and I really enjoyed the experience. The nurses gave me a bottle of water and a snack which was okay, and one of the doctors was super cute. I got vaccinated because I don’t want my friends and family to die, and I put my full trust and belief in the people working night and day for our safety and well-being. There are doctors, nurses, scientists trying to protect us, with our lives in mind, as they drive to go to work every day. We need to be a part of the solution. I want to be able to play you all these new songs I’m writing, to do that we need to vax the nation."

Pierce Brothers

"Getting vaccinated is the only way we’re all going to get back to doing what we love. We can’t wait to get out and start playing again but we can only do it if everyone pulls together."

Regurgitator

"Locked down, locked up, locked out... once we vaccinate this virus to the dustbin of history, we can maybe feel each other on a stage sometime soon. Ditch the hyperindividualism and get with collective responsibility. Let’s get vaxxed and stop the interruptions! We miss you!"

Something For Kate

"We all want to get back to seeing gigs and playing gigs as soon as possible and the fastest and most effective way back to life as we knew it is by getting vaccinated."

Spiderbait

"Science is f*^king awesome. Getting the jab means we can all get back to making beautiful noise, dancing with friends and living a full rock and roll life. Let’s do this!"

The Living End

"The live music industry is crippled... but it’s not just about our industry, it’s about the entire economy. If you miss going out, seeing gigs, seeing friends, travelling, then get the jab. It’s that simple. It’s time to end lockdowns and get back to life and there’s only one way to do that: get vaccinated today."

Tim Minchin

"In the US, vaccine hesitancy is political. Think about that! Their tribalism is so all-consuming that it influences the way they interpret reality. Happily, in Australia, we are not so divided. Though there will always be a handful of people who will be seduced by conspiracies and misinformation, the vast majority of us are inclined to take the advice of our doctors. And the advice is absolutely clear. This IS a race. A race we are all running, together."