A DAY ON THE GREEN CELEBRATES 500 SHOWS
21 YEARS
500 SHOWS
1,960 ARTIST PERFORMANCES
63,000 T-SHIRTS
172,000 STUBBY HOLDERS
MORE THAN FOUR MILLION PUNTERS
A BILLION MEMORIES
AND A MASSIVE TICKET GIVEAWAY TO CELEBRATE!
The concert series that changed outdoor events forever – a day on the green – is about to celebrate its 500th show.
Back at concert #1 when a day on the green began, Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow were at number one on the charts, Steve Jobs had just started iTunes, and the iPod was about to launch. A litre of petrol was 88 cents, and we could never imagine that a lettuce could ever become a luxury item. Big Brother and The Secret Life of Us were the hot new TV shows, and winery concerts were the domain of classical acts or cover bands.
A few things have changed over the past two decades, but a day on the green remains Australia’s premier outdoor winery concert event and has become a blueprint for how Australians experience music outdoors – cleverly curated musical line-ups, stunning venues and quality food and wine.
After entertaining more than four million happy patrons, a day on the green is celebrating its 500th show, with the legendary CROWDED HOUSE at Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong on 19 November.
Tickets on sale now for all events from Ticketmaster
ticketmaster.com.au
“It’s a remarkable milestone that a day on the green have reached. Congratulations – that’s a legacy to be proud of. We were there at 220 and now it’s our good fortune to be able to mark their special occasion, the big 500!!! We will be fully energised and singing our hearts out, under the stars with all the good folk on the Green.”
Neil Finn
Michael and Anthea Newton started a day on the green out of their garage in Elwood, calling it a “Big Day Out for grown-ups”. The concept was simple – and remains the same 21 years later: good food, fine wine and great music in magnificent locations.
Roundhouse Entertainment later partnered with Michael Gudinski’s Mushroom Group, a partnership that continues to this day with Michael’s son, Matt Gudinski.
“Doing shows in wineries was a unique concept when a day on the green first launched 21 years ago, so to have now hit 500 shows is an amazing feat. Credit to everyone involved in the journey which has seen some of the world’s greatest artists perform in truly amazing settings across Australia. There’s no slowing down and we’re looking forward to the next 500. Congratulations a day on the green!”
Matt Gudinski, Chief Executive – Mushroom Group
“It was an honour to walk side by side with MG on the journey, and our vision remains the same. Being a concert promoter is a tough gig, as everyone has realised in the past few years, but thanks to our loyal audience and our great team, we’re still going strong. And we’re still having fun.”
Michael Newton, Director – Roundhouse Entertainment
Since 2001, a day on the green has given regional communities around Australia a much-needed economic boost, injecting millions of dollars into local economies while bolstering tourism in the regions. a day on the green has played host to international superstars such as Fleetwood Mac, Robbie Williams, Elton John, Blondie, Florence + the Machine, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Sting, Leonard Cohen, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rod Stewart. And it helped pioneer homegrown line-ups to showcase iconic local legends including Archie Roach, Cold Chisel, Crowded House, INXS, Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham, Tina Arena, Kylie, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly and Vika & Linda, as well as always promoting up-and-coming new talent, including the first outdoor shows by a young Missy Higgins.
The first a day on the green was at Mount Eliza’s Morning Star Estate on 26 January, 2001, with 1,800 people enjoying an all-Australian bill: James Morrison, Renée Geyer, Stephen Cummings and Rebecca Barnard & Shane O’Mara. “Everyone seemed to get the concept – that it was a day out, eating, drinking, hanging out with friends and enjoying the music,” recalls Michael Newton. “It was an indicator that we were onto something.”
And who’s played the most a day on the green shows over the past 21 years? It’s Australia’s working-class man himself, the heart and soul of Australian rock & roll, JIMMY BARNES.
“I don’t know what’s more amazing, that a day on the green is about to do their 500th show, or that between my solo and Chisel gigs I’ve played the event 44 times over the last 21 years! Congratulations to all the team at a day on the green on reaching this huge milestone.”
Jimmy Barnes
Thanks to the long-term support of major partner AAMI, to mark this milestone a day on the green and AAMI are giving away 500 tickets to music fans around the country to experience a day of live music at upcoming shows in Geelong, Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley, Mount Cotton, Bowral and the Swan Valley.
Enter here today from 9.00am AEDT until 11.59pm AEDT Saturday 29 October. T&Cs apply*.
“AAMI is all about supporting our customers and communities, and a day on the green events have long been a favourite amongst the community. We are very proud of our decade-long partnership with this iconic Australian concert series, and to be continuing to support the music industry in a very real and impactful way. Music has a very special way of bringing people together, and like so many Aussies, we’re thrilled to see live music back stronger than ever as we celebrate this incredible milestone with a day on the green and the community through AAMI’s 500-ticket giveaway!”
Mim Haysom, Executive General Manager – Suncorp Group
And to celebrate the 500th show, a selection of limited-edition souvenir wines will be on sale from Mt Duneed Estate to commemorate the event.
“We’re very excited that we’re getting to celebrate our 500th show with Crowded House, a band that means so much to Australians,” Michael Newton says. “And what a great line-up – Crowded House, Angus & Julia Stone and The Waifs. We can’t wait!”
Often imitated, never bettered, a day on the green is turning 21, celebrating its 500th show – and looking to the future!
WHAT THE MEDIA & ARTISTS HAVE SAID
“a day on the green continues to set the standard when it comes to outdoor concert events.”
Newcastle Herald
“a day on the green has become a much-loved staple of Australian music culture. When Mick and Anthea Newton created the event as ‘a Big Day Out for grown-ups’ in 2001 little did they know then that this would be one of the biggest live attractions in Australia … a day on the green has delivered some of the biggest acts on the planet to Australian wineries over the years.”
Noise 11
“Mount Duneed Estate offers up an incredible venue to showcase music to a large audience while never sacrificing sound quality.”
The Age / Sydney Morning Herald
“Traipsing through the fields to my car post show, I was on a high not only after seeing three awesome ’80s acts, but for experiencing all that a day on the green has to offer. A beaut location, awesome DJ interaction between acts, and the best vibe I’ve felt at a music festival. Take me back!”
Scenestr
“20,000 people gather together in celebration of our finest storytellers … But the success of this show wasn’t just about Cold Chisel, or Paul Kelly, or their esteemed supports. It was about that indescribable feeling of being a part of something. It was about joining 20,000 strangers with a common love of something that we love on a primal level, and celebrating it with open hearts.”
Double J
“Geelong was crazy – there were just so many people. I couldn’t believe it, I was really moved by it. It was a really beautiful thing. There were people as far as I could see, it [Geelong] kind of had like a Woodstock feeling to it, it was outdoors and it was a really incredible show.”
Florence Welch, Florence + The Machine, triple j
“The people who run a day on the green are music fans and do a brilliant job.”
Chris Cheney, The Living End
“I’d rather be here than just about anywhere else in the world.”
Chrissie Hynde, Pretenders – Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley
Sat Nov 5
Crowded House with Boy & Bear, The Waifs and Maistrato
Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD
SOLD OUT
Sun Nov 6
Crowded House with The Teskey Brothers, The Waifs and Maistrato
Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD
FINAL TICKETS
Sat Nov 12
Crowded House with Boy & Bear, The Waifs and Maistrato
Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley, NSW
FINAL TICKETS
Sat Nov 19
500th SHOW
Crowded House with Angus & Julia Stone, The Waifs and Maistrato
Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, VIC
FINAL TICKETS
Sat Dec 3
The Killers
Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley, SA
SELLING FAST
Sat Dec 10
The Killers
Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, VIC
SELLING FAST
Sat Feb 18
Sting with James Reyne and Joe Sumner
Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley, NSW
Sun Feb 19
Sting with James Reyne and Joe Sumner
Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD
Sat Feb 25
Sting with James Reyne and Joe Sumner
Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, VIC
Sun Feb 26
Sting with James Reyne and Joe Sumner
Centennial Vineyards, Bowral, NSW
Sat Mar 4
Tent Pole: A Musical Jamboree with Pavement, Spiderbait, Magic Dirt, Floodlights, The Schizophonics, Clamm, Black Rock Band
Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, VIC
Tue April 11
Jackson Browne with The Waifs and Helen Shanahan
Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth, WA
Sat Nov 18
Robbie Williams
Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD
SOLD OUT
Sun Nov 19
Robbie Williams
Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD
SELLING FAST
Sat Nov 25
Robbie Williams
Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, VIC
SOLD OUT
Thu Nov 30
Robbie Williams
Nikola Estate, Swan Valley, WA
SELLING FAST
Fri Dec 1
Robbie Williams
Nikola Estate, Swan Valley, WA
SOLD OUT
Tickets on sale now for all events from Ticketmaster
ticketmaster.com.au
For full event information visit
adayonthegreen.com.au
A DAY ON THE GREEN BY THE NUMBERS
Most shows: Jimmy Barnes (44 – 36 solo, 8 with Cold Chisel)
Most shows by an international act: Pretenders (16)
# of artist performances: 1,960
# of venues that have hosted a day on the green shows across Australia and New Zealand: 48
# of stubby holders sold: 172,000
# of T shirts sold: 63,000
Biggest show –Show #446 – Robbie Williams at Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, 3 March 2018
Fastest-selling show – #464 – Red Hot Chili Peppers at Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong, 2 March 2019
a day on the green has donated more than $1.5 million through its support of local charities and community groups at every event.
FIVE FUN FACTS
a day on the green has featured acts covering every letter of the alphabet – apart from Q (Queen, we’re ready when you are).
When a day on the green started, Australia’s number one song was Cruisin by Gwyneth Paltrow & Huey Lewis.
On the day of the first show, Powderfinger’s My Happiness took out top spot in Triple J’s Hottest 100.
Jackson Browne was the first international artist to appear at a day on the green (Show #13, Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley, 15 February 2003).
Mt Duneed Estate, Geelong also hosted a day on the green’s 400th show – You Am I, Something For Kate, Spiderbait, Jebediah and The Meanies in 2016.
FIVE HIGHLIGHTS
“I could list 500, but here are 5 random highlights from our first 500 shows.” – Michael Newton
*Watching Elvis Costello chat for an hour with winemaker Peter Lehmann about wine, art and music.
*Sitting by myself at the front of the stage before the gates opened, with Paul Simon onstage sound-checking Mrs. Robinson.
*Doing seven shows with the late-great Leonard Cohen. All you could hear was the click of the walkie-talkie on the security guard; the crowd was just dead silent.
*I grew up loving the Pretenders, so chatting backstage with Chrissie Hynde was a personal highlight.
*Promoting so many great young Australian artists. We booked a teenager and she was so great, she sold every EP she had after the gig. And Missy Higgins has gone on to sell a few more records.
