Vic To Enter Snap Lockdown; RISING Festival Cancels Events, More Gigs To Follow

Victoria will enter a snap seven-day lockdown from 11.59pm tonight. 

The lockdown was announced by State Government officials today and is expected to run through to 11.59pm on Thursday 3 June. 

According to Acting Premier James Merlino, Victorians will use the 'four reasons to leave home' system that was in place last year, meaning Victorians can only leave their homes for essential supplies, care and caregiving, exercise, and essential work. 

An additional reason has been added with Victorians allowed to leave the home to get vaccinated. 

Victorians must remain within 5km of home for their shopping and exercise activities. Masks must again be worn in all settings outside the home. 

READ MORE: Snap Lockdowns Beg The Question - Can The Music Industry Truly Recover?

There are currently 34 active cases of COVID-19 in Victoria. 

This is the state's second lockdown this year, following on from the snap five-day lockdown in February.  

Mass gig cancellations are expected in the coming hours. See the list below. 

Major event, the first-ever RISING Festival, has cancelled all events through to Friday 4 June. 

"In line with today’s public health announcement, RISING has made the decision to pause this year’s festival. We have always maintained that the safety of our staff, artists, contractors and audience is our primary concern and responsibility," said festival organisers today. 

"All events from 5pm today (Thursday 27 May) until Friday 4 June have been cancelled. Refunds will be issued to all patrons who have tickets for this period. A decision about events scheduled between Friday 4 June and Sunday 6 June will be made over the coming week.

"Our Co-Artistic Directors Hannah Fox and Gideon Obarzanek, would like to share the following statement: 'While today’s developments are devastating, we are buoyed by the sheer resilience of the staff and artists involved with RISING. Together they created something that spoke to Melbourne; something beautiful and beguiling; something extraordinary, for extraordinary times. We could not be prouder'.

"We’re glad we could share an incredible night under the blood moon with you all. We hope we can come together soon. We want to see you dance again."

In addition to the lockdown news, other states have started placing restrictions on travellers from Victoria. Western Australian Premier has announced that the state will return to a "hard border" for Victorians.

Events that were scheduled this week

Thursday 27 May (it is unclear if these events will proceed)

• Ex-Olympian + Katarzyna Wiktorski + Chris Gill - Northcote Social Club
• Nat Vazer - Sooki Lounge
• Wombat - Howler
• Owen Campbell - Wesley Anne
• Mat Jodrell - Jazzlab
• David Helfgott - Brunswick Ballroom
• Senes Flamenco - Open Studio
• Didirri - Hotel Esplanade
• Earl Grey’s Breakfast Tea - Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar
• Ninajirachi & Kota Banks - Corner Hotel
• Marlon Williams - Comedy Theatre
• Clamm + Brickhead + Voice Imitator - Max Watt’s Melbourne
• Bungul + MSO - Hamer Hall
• Augie March - Melbourne Recital Centre
• Hello Satellites - Tempo Rubato
• Oceans - The Tote
• Too Birds - Colour
• Dom Brinkley - Bar Open

Friday 28 May (gigs from this date cannot go ahead)

• Nina Las Vegas - Bar 1 Perth (Postponed)
• Paul Dempsey - Barwon Heads Hotel (Postponed)
• DJ Noiz - Werribee Plaza Tavern
• Nat Vazer - The Bridge Hotel Castlemaine
• Owen Campbell - Apollo Bay Hotel
• Close Counters - 170 Russell
• Private Function - The Eastern Ballarat
• RADAR - Leadbeater Hotel
• Ngaiire + Thando + Jacki Tut - Corner Hotel (2 Shows)
• Backsliders - Memo Music Hall
• Michael Dunstan - The Westernport Hotel
• Jackie Bornstein - Hawthorn Arts Centre
• The Vendettas - Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar
• Bananagun - Max Watt’s Melbourne
• Marlon Williams - Comedy Theatre
• Ed Kuepper - Meeniyan Town Hall
• Melody Pool - Brunswick Ballroom
• Wombat - Howler
• John Williamson - Geelong Arts Centre
• Josh Cashman - Northcote Social Club
• Apia Good Times - Palais Theatre
• Chasing Ghosts - Hotel Esplanade
• Pelvis - Post Office Hotel
• Tex Perkins & Matt Walker - Bird’s Basement
• Seth Sentry - Evelyn Hotel
• Ramblin’ Gold - Bar Open
• Sly Withers - Barwon Club Hotel
• Icons & Legends: Bon Jovi - The Prince

Saturday 29 May

• DJ Noiz - Chelsea Heights Hotel
• Justice For The Damned - Stay Gold
• Mark Wilkinson - Barwon Club Hotel
• Nat Vazer - Northcote Social Club
• Owen Campbell - Apollo Bay Hotel
• The Eagles Story - Yarraville Club
• Bjorn Again - Riverlinks
• Bugs + Teenage Joans + Melaleuca - Corner Hotel (2 Shows)
• Mammon’s Throne - Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar
• Gregor + Sweet Whirl - Comedy Theatre
• Barkaa - Max Watt’s Melbourne
• Michael Dunstan - The Curtin
• Ed Kuepper+ Jim White - Macedon Railway Hotel
• Hello Satellites - Northern Arts Hotel
• BABBA - York On Lilydale
• Josh Cashaman - Volta Arts & Culture
• Apia Good Times - Costa Hall
• Tex Perkins & Matt Walker - Brunswick Ballroom
• Gold Blum - Leadbeater Hotel
• Icecream Hands - Northcote Social Club
• Andre Warhurst - Union Hotel
• Juicy Fruits - Post Office Hotel 
• Ella Hooper - Bird’s Basement
• Anna Smyrk - Red Hill Hotel
• Urban Crowley Collective - Brunswick Ballroom
• The Sticks - Jazzlab
• The Buoys - The Workers Club
• Jon Toogood - The Westernport Hotel
• Sly Withers + Lazy Susans - Howler

Sunday 30 May

• Justice For The Damned - Pier Hotel
• Owen Campbell – The metropolitan hotel Bendigo
• Backsliders - Archies Creek Hotel
• Josh Cashman - Sooki Lounge
• Bob Downe - Memo Music Hal
• Julia Jacklin + Kee’ahn - Comedy Theatre
• MESS - The Old Bar
• Tay Oskee - Northcote Social Club (2 Shows)
• Misty Henderson - Union Hotel
• The ReChords - The post office Hotel
• Tanya Lee Davis - Union Hotel

Monday 31 May

• Paul Williamson’s Hammond Combo - Rainbow Hotel
• Julia Jacklin + Kee’ahn - Comedy Theatre

Tuesday 1 June

• Stephen Blackburn - Open Studio
• Make It Up Club - Max Watt’s
• Ben Elton - The Forum

Wednesday 2 June

• Cosentino - Costa Hall
• The Necks - Comedy Theatre
• Ben Elton - The Forum
• Gallagath - Bar Open

Thursday 3 June

• Bill Jackson - Burnswick Ballroom
• Private Function - Sooki Lounge
• Diesel - Macedon Railway Hotel
• Bjorn Again -  Paramount Theatre
• Cosentino - Franksotn Arts Centre
• The Goon Sax - Max Watt’s 
• The Necks - Comedy Theatre
• Keith Potger - Memo Music Hall
• Austen - Leadbeater Hotel
• Amyl & The Sniffers - The Croxton
• Amy Pollock - Bar Open