Future Tunes, Orange City Council's series of outdoor live music performances, will return to Robertson Park on Friday 29 October with the biggest line-up to ever perform on one night as part of the series.
This will be the first of five music performances, to be held on the last Friday of the month from October to March.
Future Tunes began in 2020 as part of the FutureCity plan to bring more people into the city centre to boost the CBD economy, as well as supporting local musicians and hospitality businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The popular free event is designed to offer local performers a paid gig, while encouraging people to spend more time at the city's restaurants, pubs and bars.
ACOUSTIC: Darren Smith will perform at Future Tunes.
Residents are invited to come together in a relaxed, casual setting, listen to great live music, purchase food and drinks from stallholders in the park and head out to the city's hospitality venues afterwards.
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said he was pleased the concert series was running again, as the first performances were such a success.
"It's wonderful we're able to showcase local musicians while offering residents a chance to relax and wind down on a Friday evening," Cr Kidd said.
"With more lockdowns this year, the entertainment and hospitality industries have been doing it tougher than ever, so I'm glad we can again show our support and help out as best we can."
Gates to the COVID-safe event open from 4.30pm, with the first performance at 5pm. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket, rug or small foldable chair to sit on. No food or drinks can be brought to the event.
The first concert in the series will feature a bumper line-up of talented local performers:
- Stanford & Co
- Darren Smith
- Redwing Kite
- Fig Jam
- James Sutherland
- Nerida Cuddy
- Three Eyed Monks
- Hip Replacements
- Leon Just
- Felix Albert and the Gentlemanly Two
Each artist will perform for about 20 to 25 minutes and, because of the number of performers, this month's event will finish later than previous concerts, around 9pm.
Orange City Council's Employment and Economic Development Committee Chair Tony Mileto said it was great to see so many musicians show an interest in performing.
MAKING MUSIC: Mayor Reg Kidd and Councillor Tony Mileto chat with some of the musicians who will perform on the night – James Sutherland, Darren Smith, Andrew Lotherington (of Three Eyed Monks) and Leon Just.
"We want to give them all a chance to perform, which will create a vibrant atmosphere in Robertson Park," Cr Mileto said.
It is free to attend Future Tunes, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions, all guests must have a pre-ordered ticket, which can be obtained through Ticketek or at the Orange Civic Theatre box office.
Everyone aged over 16 who attends the event must be fully vaccinated and sign in using the QR code on entry.
