Sound Relief 2 Planned For Flood

While hundreds of benefit shows are held around Australia for victims of Queensland’s flooding, four promoters met Jan. 14 to discuss staging a major fund-raising event.

Michael Gudinski of Frontier Touring, Michael Chugg of Chugg Entertainment, Mark Pope of Mark Pope Music and Joe Seg of IMC organized the first Sound Relief concerts March 14, 2009, held simultaneously at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Melbourne Cricket Ground.

A bill including Jet, Kings of Leon, Kasey Chambers, Jack Johnson, Kylie Minogue, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Barry Gibb and Olivia Newton-John raised A$9 million for the victims of Victoria’s bushfires and Queensland’s floods.

Chugg revealed that a lineup announcement is “still a long way off, it’s early days yet.” Two of Queensland’s biggest exports, Savage Garden and Powderfinger, have been approached to reunite.

Powderfinger, which played its farewell tour last year and whose band room was flooded, declined but will donate all royalties from an upcoming single.

Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes tweeted: “I just know that something good is gonna happen.”

If the Sound Relief 2 shows take place in March/April, it could include Kings Of Leon and Usher, who tour then for Frontier Touring. Chugg Entertainment has Eddie Vedder.

Justin Bieber, Rhianna and Keith Urban will also be in the country.