Passport restored for new music acts, fans
FANS starved of some of the best original live music in Australia can breathe a sweet sigh of relief – the Passport to Airlie is back for 2021.
The nation’s largest live original music initiative is back, with organisers confirming the competition will headline at the Airlie Beach Festival of Music from November 4-7. The festival is releasing a limited number of early-bird tickets until April 29. Just 2000 tickets will be available this year.
Passport to Airlie gives rising bands a platform to showcase their work in a series of events across the country, with the best of the regions securing a place at the festival.
PRE-COVID years drew more than 300 acts from across the country each year since 2013, and there are nine locations for the 2021 heats. They include Cairns, Mackay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin.
Heats run from June to September, with one band or artist chosen from each location receiving accommodation and VIP tickets to the festival in November.
On the Thursday night of the festival, all regional representatives will perform at the
Passport Showcase event in front of celebrity and industry judges to determine one winner to be announced on the Main Stage on the Sunday afternoon of the festival.
“I wanted to create a festival where you could see the classic rock bands and hear the songs we grew up with, and at the same time discover new talent and give them a chance,” promoter Gavin “Butto” Butlin said.