Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning, 51, laments job loss for gig-workers in live entertainment as he announces a new concert in December
Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning has lamented the loss of jobs for gig-workers due to the coronavirus pandemic and no live entertainment.
On Sunday, the 51-year-old spoke to The Courier Mail about his Greatest Southern Nights gig which will see thousands of people pack into the Qudos Bank Arena.
Bernard said of the highly-trained professionals: ‘People (in the industry) are being forced to completely change careers because there has been no work.’
Sad: Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning, 51, (pictured) has lamented the job loss for gig-workers in live entertainment while speaking to The Courier Mail on Sunday. Here: Melbourne, 2017
He continued: ‘If they don’t come back, there may not be enough behind-the-scenes people to support tours when they get back up and running.’
The COVID-safe events will see concerts all around New South Wales. Great Southern Nights, in conjunction with the ARIAs, will see 1000 gigs lined-up to kick start the industry, according to its website.
Bernard will perform alongside Matt Corby and Merci, Mercy on December 5, at the massive Sydney arena show.
Play on: The 51-year-old spoke to The Courier Mail about his Greatest Southern Nights gig which will see thousands of people pack into the Qudos Bank Arena. Here: Byron Bay, 2017
‘I am keen to get out there and play and I want to help people get some work and for the punters to have a bit of fun,’ he said.
Bernard will also play a show in Brisbane at the Sandstone Point Hotel on November 21.
The singer reunited with Powderfinger in May this year in order to help struggling artists and workers in the industry.
Gigs: Bernard will also play a show in Brisbane at the Sandstone Point Hotel on November 21. Bernard reunited with Powderfinger in May this year. Pictured in 2010
The band raised nearly $500,000 from the virtual concert.
Bernard hinted their reunion could be more permanent when speaking to The Daily Telegraph following the reunion.
‘One thing I will say about it is there is no one making music that sounds like us at the moment so hopefully the concert creates a point of difference and can contribute to the re-emergence of people playing instruments,’ he told the paper.
Old school: Bernard revealed that he’s tempted by the idea of bringing the band’s distinctive grunge sound to new audiences. ‘I see that at my own shows, younger people in the audience requesting Powderfinger songs,’ he told the paper. Pictured in 2017
Bernard revealed that he’s tempted by the idea of bringing the band’s distinctive grunge sound to new audiences.
‘I see that at my own shows, younger people in the audience requesting Powderfinger songs,’ he told the paper.
‘An interesting part of this (live performance) is that it opens it up to a whole lot of new people.’
Tickets to Bernard’s gigs are available from the Great Southern Nights website.
Farewell! Powderfinger split in 2010, after playing their final show in Brisbane (pictured then)