MELBOURNE, Australia (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The phenomenal success of Sound Relief has been recognized at the 2009 Helpmann Awards, with the twin city stadium concert event taking out the award for the Best Special Event category.
The award was accepted by the organizers of Sound Relief, Michael Gudinski (The Frontier Touring Company), Michael Chugg (Chugg Entertainment), Joe Segreto (IMC) and Mark Pope (Mark Pope Music).
While accepting the award Michael Gudinski took the opportunity to officially announce that the highly anticipated DVD release of Sound Relief is confirmed to go ahead, with all artists, publishers and labels providing royalty free clearances.
The 4 DVD set will be released through Gudinski’s Liberation Music on October 2 and will feature highlights of EVERY artist who performed at Sound Relief. Close to nine hours of footage will appear on the DVDs showcasing what is arguably a landmark event in Australia’s rich music history.
Michael Gudinski said; “Sound Relief was literally born from the ashes of a terrible time in Australia’s history. The concerts became so much more than just a charity fundraising event; they were a way for the community to unite and heal.
“I’m overjoyed that the DVD release can go ahead and we can’t express our appreciation enough to the artists and everyone involved who helped make it possible. Since the day of the concert we’ve received so many enquiries about whether the concerts would be released on DVD that I wouldn’t be surprised if this became the highest selling DVD in Australian history.
“It is fitting that a lasting record will be available of this once in a lifetime event for future generations.”
Over $8 million was raised by the Sound Relief concerts, with the funds going to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal ($7,159,760) and The Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal ($874,416). Profits from the DVD release will go to the Red Cross.
The artists that appeared on Sound Relief, who will appear on the DVDs are as follows:
MELBOURNE
Augie March
Bliss N Eso with Paris Wells
Gabriella Cilmi
Hunters & Collectors
Jack Johnson
Jet
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson
+ Troy Cassar-Daley
Kings Of Leon
Kylie
Liam Finn + Finn Family Band
Midnight Oil
Paul Kelly
Split Enz
Wolfmother
SYDNEY
Architecture In Helsinki
Barry Gibb + Olivia Newton-John
Coldplay + John Farnham
Eskimo Joe
Hoodoo Gurus
Icehouse
Jet
Josh Pyke
Little Birdy
Marcia Hines
Taylor Swift
The Presets
You Am I
–by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers