The biggest news of the week was the announcement of Triple J’s One Night Stand coming to Mount Isa next month.
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Since 2004 the ABC youth-focused national radio station has taken a gig once a year to a regional town across the country.
The objective is simple. As Triple J says each year they ship the best Aussie acts out to a different town and “we have a massive free party for a day: that’s the One Night Stand.”
It’s been to Queensland twice – Ayr in 2005 and Dalby in 2012 – so Mount Isa makes it three but the ABC say this is easily the most remote location they have taken the event to.
I was working in the Dalby region in 2012 and although I missed the gig itself due to another engagement I can say the buzz around the town and the wider region was huge.
Small towns don’t get opportunities for young people like this very often and they are taken with open arms.
Though in Dalby’s case the night had to be abandoned early due to heavy rain all that day it did not spoil the huge party atmosphere and the event was a massive boon to the local economy as people came from all quarters to attend the event.
Mount Isa’s remoteness means it may not get as many people coming from the Bigger Smokes but the buzz and hype around One Night Stand is real and I would expect a huge influx of young (and not so young) people from across northern Queensland and maybe beyond – Our Google analytics expert told me that “Brisbane to Mount Isa” was one of the biggest internet searches in Australia on the day of the announcement.
Now I’d be the first to admit I don’t fit into the Triple J demographic but I’m excited for the big day on April 22.
I’ve spoken to musical-minded friends who assure me the bill (San Cisco, Tash Sultana, The Smith Street Band, Thundamentals) is first class and there will be an opportunity for a local band or artist to open the concert through Triple J’s Unearthed competition.
My congratulations to ABC North West Queensland and Mount Isa City Council for partnering to bring this great event to our city.
DB