Great Southern Nights 2022

In 2020, the inaugural Great Southern Nights saw more than 1000 gigs take place across 300 NSW venues. This year it's coming back throughout March and April with a heap of live shows from artists both emerging and bonafide iconic.

That first iteration of the initiative saw more than 75,000 tickets sold across the 1100 gigs. "Great Southern Nights was designed with COVID-safety in mind, supporting shows of all sizes, in all kinds of live music venues, and giving the industry a leg up to get back to work," Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said.

Last year we were treated to the first six acts of the lineup including indie-pop sensation Amy Shark, Yolngu rapper Baker Boy and DJ duo Peking Duk joining Australian music royalty Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins and Jessica Mauboy. Now, we've been treated to the full program featuring nearly 100 established and up-and-coming performers taking to stages across the state.

Some of the beloved local acts, musical legends and festival favourites heading up the lineup include Archie Rose, Ball Park Music, Violent Soho, Hoodoo Gurus, Courtney Barnett, The Whitlams, Confidence Man, Youngn Lipz, Mallrat and Sneaky Sound System. Elsewhere on the lineup you'll find First Nations trailblazers Briggs and Nooky coming together with special guests, a Moree Block Party thrown by Kobie Dee, drill sensation Hooligan Heffs, viral hitmaker Masked Wolf, meme-heavy DJ Partiboi69 and throwback queens The Veronicas.

"The live music scene makes a significant contribution to our social and economic wellbeing. As part of our roadmap to recovery it is vital that we get it back on its feet," said Ayres. "This will create jobs for artists and crew, revenue for venues and drive visitation to large parts of regional NSW that have done it tough over the past few years."

Head to the Great Southern Nights website to check out the full lineup and all the details for when you can catch all your favourite acts performing.

Image: Bec Taylor.