SAVANNAH SUMMER SERIES WELCOMES CASEY BARNES, THE BUCKLEYS + MORE TO TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND AS LIVE MUSIC RETURNS
19 July 2020
Sound Australia is pleased to announce the Savannah Summer Series, giving Tropical North Queensland some relief with a COVID-safe mini-festival, bringing the community together and celebrating the return of live music after 2020’s challenges.
Set to rock on October 1 and 2, the Queen’s Birthday weekend that was to be the full Savannah in the Round festival before its postponement to 2021, hot Aussie country star Casey Barnes and Newcomers The Buckleys will be hitting Cairns and Mareeba along with SaltbushSix, The Roadtrippers and The Ayres Rockettes.
The Savannah Summer Series will visit Cairns’ Salt House on October 1 and Mareeba’s Rodeo Grounds on October 2, giving the region just a small preview of Savannah in the Round 2021 and providing support to the Tropical North Queensland community as it gets back on its feet.
“I can’t wait to get up to Cairns and Mareeba this October to welcome back live music to the region,” said Casey Barnes. “Savannah in the Round is one of the most exciting things to happen for country music in Tropical North Queensland and to be part of the Summer Series to show that live music is alive and kicking post-COVID will be a big highlight after a tough year for all of us!”
Casey Barnes kicked off the year with his hit single ‘Sparks Fly’, holding #1 at radio for 7 weeks, followed by the first #1 Australian Country ARIA album during covid-era, ‘Town of A Million Dreams’. The Savannah Summer Series will give him his first opportunity to play for the Tropical North Queensland fans since the album’s release, and will kick off his long-awaited victory lap of Australia with the 9-date national tour.
Teenage sibling trio The Buckleys are also a band on everyone’s lips with a Golden Guitar nomination for Best New Talent and a Country Radio #1 with their hit single ‘Daydream’. Signing a global recording deal with long-time INXS manager Chris Murphy’s Petrol Records and the Universal Music Group, the band’s debut album is set for release later in 2020.
The mini-festival will also include SaltbushSix, one of Australia’s most acclaimed backing bands, launching Keith Urban onto the global stage with his album The Range in 1997 and working with artists including Lee and Tania Kernaghan, Trisha Yearwood, Big House and the godfather of Australian country, Slim Dusty. The event also welcomes The Roadtrippers and The Ayers Rockettes, Queensland’s best country party bands, bringing the good vibes for audiences of all ages.
“As gatherings and the regulations around social distancing are relaxed in a measured way it’s important to us and to the economy of the region that we keep the music playing”, said Sound Australia’s James Dein. “
“Savannah in the Round was always conceived as an event to bring the Tropical North Queensland community together, as well as to drive interstate tourism, and it’s never been more important for us to deliver on that goal, which is why we are committed not just to our spectacular large-scale 2021 event, but also to making sure the community is not forgotten this year with the Savannah Summer Series.”
The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support the Savannah Summer Series, which features on the It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar. As Aussies holiday at home for the remainder of 2020, the Savannah Summer Series gives visitors not only a great country music experience, but also the perfect launching pad to explore the natural beauty of the tablelands through to the reef.
Tickets for the Savannah Summer Series go on sale on July 21.
SAVANNAH SUMMER SERIES 2020
Featuring Casey Barnes, The Buckleys, SaltbushSix, The Roadtrippers & The Ayres Rockettes
Thursday October 1 – Salt House, Cairns QLD
Friday October 2 – Rodeo Grounds, Mareeba QLD