A Day on the Green celebrates 500th show alongside major partner AAMI
A day on the green, sponsored by major partner AAMI – is about to celebrate its 500th show.
The announcement:
“AAMI is all about supporting our customers and communities, and a day on the green events have long been a favourite amongst the community,” said Mim Haysom, executive general manager – of Suncorp Group.
“We are very proud of our decade-long partnership with this iconic Australian concert series, and to be continuing to support the music industry in a very real and impactful way. Music has a very special way of bringing people together, and like so many Aussies, we’re thrilled to see live music back stronger than ever as we celebrate this incredible milestone with a day on the green and the community through AAMI’s 500-ticket giveaway!”
Back at concert number one when a day on the green began, Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow were at number one on the charts, Steve Jobs had just started iTunes, and the iPod was about to launch. A litre of petrol was 88 cents, and we could never imagine that lettuce could ever become a luxury item. Big Brother and The Secret Life of Us were the hot new TV shows, and winery concerts were the domain of classical acts or cover bands.
A few things have changed over the past two decades, but a day on the green remains Australia’s premier outdoor winery concert event and has become a blueprint for how Australians experience music outdoors – cleverly curated musical line-ups, stunning venues and quality food and wine.
After entertaining more than four million happy patrons, a day on the green is celebrating its 500th show, with the legendary Crowded House at Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong on 19 November.
“It’s a remarkable milestone that a day on the green has reached. Congratulations –
that’s a legacy to be proud of. We were there at 220 and now it’s our good fortune to be able to mark their special occasion, the big 500!!! We will be fully energised and singing our hearts out, under the stars with all the good folk on the Green,” said Neil Finn.Michael and Anthea Newton started a day on the green out of their garage in Elwood, calling it a “Big Day Out for grown-ups”. The concept was simple – and remains the same 21 years later: good food, fine wine and great music in magnificent locations.
Roundhouse Entertainment later partnered with Michael Gudinski’s Mushroom Group, a partnership that continues to this day with Michael’s son, Matt Gudinski.
Mushroom Group chief executive, Matt Gudinski, told Mumbrella: “Doing shows in wineries was a unique concept when a day on the green first launched 21 years ago, so to have now hit 500 shows is an amazing feat. Credit to everyone involved in the journey which has seen some of the world’s greatest artists perform in truly amazing settings across Australia. There’s no slowing down and we are looking forward to the next 500. Congratulations a day on the green!”
Roundhouse Entertainment director, Michael Newton told Mumbrella: “It was an honour to walk side by side with MG on the journey, and our vision remains the same. Being a concert promoter is a tough gig, as everyone has realised in the past few years, but thanks to our loyal audience and our great team, we’re still going strong. And we’re still having fun.”
Since 2001, a day on the green has given regional communities around Australia a much-needed economic boost, injecting millions of dollars into local economies while bolstering tourism in the regions. a day on the green has played host to international superstars such as Fleetwood Mac, Robbie Williams, Elton John, Blondie, Florence + the Machine, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Sting, Leonard Cohen, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rod Stewart. And it helped pioneer homegrown line-ups to showcase iconic local legends including Archie Roach, Cold Chisel, Crowded House, INXS, Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham, Tina Arena, Kylie, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly and Vika & Linda, as well as always promoting up-and-coming new talent, including the first outdoor shows by a young Missy Higgins.
The first a day on the green was at Mount Eliza’s Morning Star Estate on 26 January, 2001, with 1800 people enjoying an all-Australian bill: James Morrison, Renée Geyer, Stephen Cummings and Rebecca Barnard & Shane O’Mara. “Everyone seemed to get the concept – that it was a day out, eating, drinking, hanging out with friends and enjoying the music,” recalls Michael Newton. “It was an indicator that we were onto something.”
And who’s played the most a day on the green shows over the past 21 years? It’s Australia’s working-class man himself, the heart and soul of Australian rock & roll, Jimmy Barnes.
“I don’t know what’s more amazing, that a day on the green is about to do their 500th show, or that between my solo and Chisel gigs I’ve played the event 44 times over the last 21 years! Congratulations to all the team at a day on the green on reaching this huge milestone.”
Jimmy BarnesThanks to the long-term support of major partner AAMI, to mark this milestone a day on the green and AAMI are giving away 500 tickets to music fans around the country to experience a day of live music at upcoming shows in Geelong, Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley, Mount Cotton, Bowral and the Swan Valley.
Source: Roundhouse Entertainment
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topics
A Day on the Green
AAIMI
AAIMI insurance
Matt Gudinski
Michael Newton
Mim Haysom
Mushroom Group
Roundhouse Entertainment
Suncorp Group
