AO Press Release, November 30, 2017

Tennis Australia and Mushroom Events are delighted to announce the tournament’s biggest ever music-line up with more than two weeks of music at Australian Open 2018.

Australian and International music superstars will headline on the AO Live Stage, located once again at the middle terrace of Birrarung Marr following a very successful debut series of shows last summer.

For the first time music legend Tina Arena and her band will perform at the Australian Open, headlining women’s final day on January 27.

Other big names who are part of the line-up include Rudimental, American girl group TLC, Brisbane band The Jungle Giants, rising star Vera Blue, ARIA award-winner for Best Video Bliss n Eso and much-loved Australian acts including Meg Mac, the Hoodoo Gurus, Client Liaison and 2017 ARIA Hall of Fame Inductee Daryl Braithwaite.

“I love summer in Melbourne and there’s such a vibe during the Australian Open. It’s fantastic to be a part of this great line-up of musicians and I’m really looking forward to playing an outdoor summer show in my hometown,” Tina Arena said.

On January 17 James Reyne will do a very special set, performing the hits of Aussie Crawl, the band he fronted which made him a household name.

“What a great line-up as a part of one of Melbourne’s most celebrated sporting events. We look forward to seeing everybody there and welcome the opportunity to share the stage with our great friend Daryl Braithwaite,” Reyne said.

The much anticipated Coopers Saturday will take place on Saturday 20 January with ARIA award-winner for Best Australian Live Act Illy headlining, with the support Kuren.

“In our second year as the official beer sponsor of the Australian Open we are thrilled to see the huge amount of Australian talent performing,” Cam Pearce, Coopers National Sales and Marketing Director said.

“We’re especially excited about Illy headlining Coopers Saturday fresh from his ‘Two Degrees’ national tour.  He will certainly get the crowd going.”

Throughout the tournament access to the AO Live Stage will be open to anyone who has an Australian Open ground pass or stadium ticket.

Mushroom Group Chairman Michael Gudinski said the huge music program featuring big names will once again make the Australian Open a special place to be in January:

“In the true tradition of Melbourne being the music capital, Tennis Australia continue to commit to the programming of great music,” Mr Gudinski said.

“The Australian Open is continuing to be the leader of the World Tennis Grand Slam and I am very proud to be part of it.”

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said the AO Live Stage – and the big line up of stars – is part of the tournament’s commitment to making the experience for fans a rewarding one.

“Our focus and commitment to tennis fans coming to the tournament is to make the whole experience a real day out, something they will always remember,” he said.

“The AO Live Stage, and all the brilliant acts performing this year thanks to the careful programming by Mushroom Events, is an important part of this.

“After the success of this year’s series of concerts, we have expanded the line-up, it just gets bigger and better every year.”

Jimmy Barnes, who picked up Best Children’s Album at the ARIAs, and Dallas Crane will kick off the AO Live Stage with a very special event on Sunday 14 January, on the eve of the Australian Open, with the first ever FightMND charity concert to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Music line-up dates are:

January 14, 2018	Jimmy Barnes	Dallas Crane
January 15, 2018	Vera Blue	Dean Lewis
January 16, 2018	The Jungle Giants	The Creases
January 17, 2018	James Reyne plays Australian Crawl	Daryl Braithwaite
January 18, 2018	Meg Mac	Angie McMahon
January 19, 2018	Hoodoo Gurus	Davey Lane
January 20, 2018	Illy	Kuren
January 21, 2018	Rudimental	Jakubi
January 22, 2018	Pierce Brothers	Ash Grunwald
January 23, 2018	The Rubens	Gretta Ray
January 24, 2018	Client Liaison	Northeast Party House
January 25, 2018	To be announced	Rojdar
January 26, 2018	Bliss n Eso	To be announced
January 27, 2018	Tina Arena	Ali Barter
January 28, 2018	TLC	Dj Horizon

Sunday 14 January requires a ticket which can be purchased here

From January 15 to January 28, access to the AO Live Stage requires a ground pass or Australian Open stadium ticket.