Stacked All-Australian Line-up Heading For Now & Forever Concert In Shepparton

A vast, all-Australian line-up of incredible artists is heading to regional Victoria for Now & Forever festival this October.

Following last year’s First & Forever concert at Hanging Rock, Briggs’ Bad Apples Music and the Dungala Kaiela Foundation have once again teamed up with Frontier Touring, as well as fellow Australian live music juggernauts Live Nation Australia, Live Performance Australia, and TEG Live.

Unlike last year’s First & Forever, Now & Forever is a different celebration from its predecessor. Where the former was a pure celebration of Blak excellence, the latter finds numerous Australian music icons showing solidarity and standing up for the Aboriginal Voice To Parliament Referendum.

Taking place a week before we vote in the referendum (Friday, 6 October), Now & Forever will be hosted at Shepparton Showgrounds, Yorta Yorta Woka. The referendum date is Saturday, 14 October. You can find out about your nearest polling booth, postal voting and more here.

Briggs has gathered some of Australia’s favourite artists, including A.B. Original, Baker Boy, Barkaa, Emma Donovan, Hilltop Hoods, Jimmy Barnes, Mo’Ju and Paul Kelly, with comedian Sam Pang on hosting duties—a press release notes to expect special guest appearances and collaborations on the day.

Gates to the Shepparton Showgrounds open at noon on Friday, 6 October, with live music kicking off from 3 pm and going into the evening.

Adam Briggs said about bringing Now & Forever to Shepparton in a statement, “I had to bring this home because this is where I grew up.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to write our future together, and the artists on the bill have signed up for that. This is about celebration, inclusivity, solidarity, positivity and listening as much as it is about a voice. In that spirit, everyone is welcome to the show - even the undecided voters. And if you don’t know, just come to the show.

“We understand Shepparton is going to be a destination for a lot of people, and I’m aware of the obstacles”, Briggs added regarding the festival’s affordable price of $21.50 a ticket. “I want to make this accessible for everyone and be able to give back to local and national charities doing good work.”

Tickets will be available from 9 am today via Ticketmaster.

Evelyn Richardson, CEO of Live Performance Australia, added, “On behalf of our live music and entertainment industry, we’re proud to stand alongside our artists who are stepping up and speaking out in support of Yes and the opportunity for Australians to come together to recognise our First Nations people, to listen, and walk together to create a better future.”

All proceeds from Now & Forever will be donated to charities and not-for-profit organisations “doing good work for the region and across the lands we know of as Victoria.”