Tomorrow, Saturday 25 April, is ANZAC Day. I know there are a lot of mixed feelings about ANZAC Day as a whole, but I’m not here to talk about that.
Instead, this year’s ANZAC Day celebrations have something different in store for Aussies and New Zealanders. As well as honouring those who fought in the First World War, The Music From The Home Front concert is dedicated to the essential workers across the country who are “fighting on the COVID-19 front line”.
Concerts Together, At Home
Am I the only one who finds it funny that Ben Lee is performing at the ANZAC Day COVID-19 relief concert? Given that his most popular song is called Catch My Disease
— Kate Clayton (@kateclaytn) April 23, 2020
A whole bunch of Aussie and New Zealand artists are set to play from their homes, including The Wiggles, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Jimmy Barnes, Courtney Barnett, G Flip, Lime Cordiale, and SO MANY MORE. Check out the full list below.
The concert organisers have also now confirmed the event’s hosts as Christian O’Connell, David Campbell, Delta Goodrem and Guy Sebastian. I think we’re in for a fun night with these artists and hosts.
All of the artists involved have volunteered their time, and organisers have emphasised that the concert will not be a fundraising event, as previous concerts like Fire Fight have been. However, as with all usual concerts, merch from the event can be purchased, with profits from those sales going to Support Act (Australia) or MusicHelpsLive (New Zealand).
Music Makes The World Go Round
Even if you don’t agree with what ANZAC Day represents, this concert to thank essential workers is something I think we can all get behind. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and supermarket workers are just some of the people who continue to work every day, risking their health for us. They go to work for us, so we need to do the right thing and stay home for them.
This concert is similar to the One World: Together At Home concert that aired last weekend that sought to raise funds forthe COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization. It brought together artists like Lady Gaga, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, and many more, and can be watched online here.
A Different Kind Of ANZAC Day
This is the first time in over 100 years that ANZAC Day services will not run. Australians are instead being asked to share in the Dawn Service on the ABC at 5:30am, and take part in the moment of silence from the end of your driveway, balcony or window at 6am.
The Music From The Home Front concert will be televised in Australia on Channel Nine from 7:30pm (AEST) and in New Zealand on Channel Three from 9:30pm (NZST).
Feature Image Source: Facebook (Tame Impala and Courtney Barnett)
