Keep Sydney Open Has Announced Their Lineup For This Weekend's Rally

Crusaders for saving Sydney's nightlife Keep Sydney Open have issued the battle cry once again, announcing another large-scale rally in Sydney on Sunday, October 9 starting from Belmore Park. And, they'll have company. More than 15,000 Sydneysiders turned up back in February; however this weekend's protest will see more than a few high-profile names join the fold.

Known for his loud voice behind a mic, Jimmy Barnes joins the lineup of artists keen to help urge the NSW Government to rethink the state's controversial lockout laws, as well as Justice Ian Callinan's (honestly pretty general) liquor law review, which was released this week. He'll be joined by Urthboy and The Jezabels lead singer Hayley Mary on the speaking front, as well as City of Sydney Councillor Jess Scully and KSO's own Tyson Koh.

Fighting a suffering live music scene with some ace live music is also on the agenda, thanks to a performance by the One Day Crew, aka Joyride, Horrorshow, Spit Syndicate and Jackie Onasis. With DJs Touch Sensitive and Ariane also on the bill, as well as Paul Mac with Stereogamous, the rally will demonstrate the city's vibrancy and variety — things that are at risk of fading under the lockout regime.

"We're excited to bring this line up together and to unite such diverse genres of music, and eras in Sydney's cultural history, and we're proud to bring this to Sydney's streets for everybody to enjoy on Sunday," said Koh.

"It has never been clearer that the lockouts are the wrong answer to the question of how to create a safe, fun and vibrant city," he continued. "Keep Sydney Open will march in the streets to call on the state government to let Sydney have the same, world class late-night culture we all know this city is capable of having."

By Shannon Connellan and Sarah Ward.