Local music icon Nick How has hailed Warrnambool's first online music festival a "revolution".
Viewership of Get Around Warrnambool - LoungeFest peaked at 1800 simultaneous screens on Saturday April 11, instantly making the concert one of the biggest in the city's history.
How's band "The Motorvators" joined 19 other local musical acts on the festival line-up.
With live music venues closed due to COVID-19, the idea was to create a virtual music festival to bring the talents of South West musicians to loungerooms everywhere.
Musicians either sent in recordings made especially for the event, or if that wasn't possible, they submitted footage from previous gigs.This was then broadcast on the Warrnambool City Council, COAST FM and Fitz Media Productions Facebook pages as well as on the radio at 95.3 COAST FM.
The three parts of the festival have attracted a cumulative 47,000 views on Facebook either live or on demand.
How, an industry veteran of 37 years, said that Get Around Warrnambool - LoungeFest was an uplifting event for the local music scene and for the city.
"I loved it. We sat there and watched the whole thing and we couldn't take our eyes off it. It was fantastic," he said.
"Well done to everyone involved in the production and to all of the musicians.
"Also, It'd be great if we can all get around the pubs, clubs and restaurants as soon as we can too, because without them, there are no live venues."
He said that having so many talented local musicians performing on one night, and making those performances available to people at home, was a great way for music lovers to discover new favourites.
"It's very hard to get out and go and see people all the time, especially now… but if you like any of the artists you saw, go to iTunes or Spotify or wherever you get your music and buy the tunes or buy the album.
"That will make a ton of difference."
While physical gigs aren't possible due to COVID-19, How said that we all have in our pockets more music recording power than all but the top recording venues had in decades past, and now is an excellent time to use it.
"Even as recently as the 2000s, to have the technology to record video would cost you $5000 to $10000 and it's comparable to something that everybody has on their iPhone right now," he said.
LoungeFest was organised by the Warrnambool City Council, COAST FM, Fitz Media Productions and Karen Thomson.
To view the festival on demand, visit either the Warrnambool City Council, COAST FM or Fitz Media Productions Facebook pages.
