St Helens ready for biggest party
Triple J super show coming to town
THE frontman of homegrown rock band Luca Brasi says Triple J’s annual One Night Stand party will be “the biggest thing to ever happen” in St Helens.
The coastal community was yesterday preparing for an influx of music lovers in September after it was named the winner of the national radio station’s One Night Stand competition.
Luca Brasi lead singer Tyler Richardson, who grew up at St Helens, said the popular free event would boost local businesses and shine a spotlight on the seaside town.
“The flow-on effects will be huge,” he said yesterday.
“When people visit St Helens they realise how beautiful the place is, and for sheer numbers, I can’t think of a better thing.
“Music is still hugely popular down there, but access to it is non-existent.
“I cannot wait to see the young kids’ faces when they walk out of there after an event of this calibre.”
Up to 15,000 people are expected to flock to the East Coast for the event, which Break O’Day Mayor Mick Tucker said was a triumph for the town and broader region.
“We are already working on a public transport strategy to get people from campgrounds, hotels and motels across the East Coast into St Helens for the event,” Mayor Tucker said.
“We have a lot of accommodation and a lot of free camping right through to St Marys and Fingal and along the East Coast’s many beaches.
“We are over the moon and this will be great for social inclusion for our young people with St Helens suddenly on the national music stage.”
Australian music heavyweights Vance Joy and Peking Duk are among the massive names set to head to the state for the all ages concert.
Triple J has been taking live music to regional towns for the past 15 years, with last year’s event held at Mount Isa in Queensland.
It will be the first time the One Night Stand has visited Tasmania and will be Triple J’s biggest event in the state since The Cat Empire headlined a Triple J AWOL concert at Burnie’s West Park in October 2007.
Local mum Kristi Chapple nominated St Helens for consideration and made an official submission to Triple J during the selection process.
She laughed off suggestions she was now Tasmania’s “coolest mum” following the announcement.
“St Helens doesn’t get anything like this and doesn’t have a lot of opportunities for live music,” Ms Chapple said.
Labor Lyons MP Jen Butler congratulated her hometown for putting St Helens on the national music map.
“With the East Coast so reliant on tourism and tourist dollars, this is a significant coup for my hometown,” Ms Butler said.
“I understand that since Triple J made the announcement there has been a rush on accommodation in the region and that’s great news for the local industry.”
One Night Stand will be held at the St Helens football ground on September 1 from 39.30pm.