SIMON Myers, who comes from Melbourne, saw the Riverside Park sound shell as a miniature version of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
“When you are here all the time, you get used to it, but when I saw it on the banks of the Murray, I thought this had to be a place to use for regular outdoor music events,” the Swan Hill Council performing arts and venue manager told The Guardian.
It was the inspiration for Mr Myers to instigate the inaugural Under the Stars event, which will feature the popular RocKwiz Live show on November 12.
RocKwiz, the SBS live music trivia quiz show, focused on rock music and featuring various guest musicians who perform live in each episode.
Hosts Julia Zemiro and Brian Nankervis will headline the show at Riverside Park.
“I used to work with (film and television production company) Renegade years ago and the producers are mates of mine,” Mr Myers said. “They spoke to me and said it sounded great.
“It ticked all the boxes – it’s a great show, something accessible for everyone and I saw it a year ago and it worked really well live.”
Mr Myers said Zemiro and Nankervis were “amiable and consummate presenters”.
“Julia’s whole personality as a performer grew up through RocKwiz,” he said.
“The thing with Under the Stars is that it’s an overall label. It could be Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Under the Stars, or might have a Living End Under the Stars … it’s a term that is something to get people to recognise.
“When something becomes tradition it seems to stick so hopefully it sticks.”
The event will be all-weather.
“Bring your poncho because they will be on stage, I can guarantee that.”
Zemiro and Nankervis will hit the stage from 8pm to 9.30pm.
Nankervis said he was excited to perform in Swan Hill.
“I’ll be completely honest and say I’ve never been there,” he said.
“I’ve played and stayed in some of those other Murray River border towns, but I’m yet to experience the delights of Swan Hill.
“As usual, I’ll be looking for likely contestants before the show, so find me before the show, convince me that you’ve got what it takes to be on the RocKwiz stage, and we’ll see what unfolds.”
He said there was something special about being on the road.
“Establishing and perfecting set routines, taking risks, finding new approaches,” he said.
“Adapting to new environments and changing situations. Travelling with a rotating cast of musicians – household names and up-and-coming stars – and meeting fans who arrive as ordinary audience members but leave as heroes, answering questions alongside their idols or singing karaoke and receiving standing ovations.”
Gates open at 5.30pm. Bring your own picnic, there will be limited food trucks and a bar open.
Bendigo-based musician Grim Fawkner will start the night’s entertainment with his upbeat roots, country and blues originals from 7pm to 7.30pm.
Fawkner has played hundreds of shows across multiple continents, opened for The Waifs and The Badloves, been a national tour support for Kasey Chambers Campfire Tour and opened for Once the musical with his own numbers.
Adult tickets are $65, concession $55 and 16 years and under $55.
Tickets available from https://swanhilltownhall.com/2022/11/12/rockwiz-live-under-the-stars/
