Territory bands and venues will get into the spirit of the first national SLAM Day, with 6 major local gigs scheduled for February 23.

That’s more than the ACT, WA and Tasmania!

Two of the gigs will be outdoor events, and two all-ages, with local teen band Skarlett successful in their bid to add an an under-18s-friendly event to the NT SLAM Day line up.

Darwin live music venue Nirvana has also gotten on board, with locals Mark Hilton & Toby Robinson to play across 4 hours, from 7.30pm.

The Territory music gigs are part of a 100-strong contingent of live music events to be held all over Australia on February 23.

SLAM – Save Live Australia’s Music – has grown out of the momentum gathered from the series of rallies held in Melbourne in 2010 – “to protest against the Victorian Government’s policy link between live music and violence”.

The movement is now national, championing live music at small venues, and its importance to the health of our national culture.

Says Mark Smith of Music NT, “By participating in National SLAM Day, it sends a message to the rest of Australia that the NT live music scene is alive and well. By booking both local and visiting artists, venues are supporting live music for the benefits of artists and punters alike.”

The following gigs and artists have registered for on the official SLAM Day website to represent the NT:

• Darwin Railway Club (Darwin) - Busby Marou (Qld), with local support Dave Spry & The High Moral Ground. From 7.30pm, 17 Somerville Gardens, Parap.
• Happy Yess (Darwin) - Emma Rowe, Black Can Clan (6-piece), June Mills, and Reggae Dave & The Iries. From 9pm,  12 Bennett Street, Darwin.
• The Chippo (Darwin) – Chasin’ Aces + Skarlett. From 5.30pm, Shed 4, 74 Dick Ward Drive, Coconut Grove.
• Nirvana (Darwin) – Mark Hilton & Toby Robinson. From 7.30pm – 11.30pm. 800/6 Dashwood Crescent (Entrance via Smith Street), Darwin.
• Peko Park (Tennant Creek) - The Tableland Drifters, Winanjjikari All Stars, Dr. Fluoride, Jezza from Budd (Vic), Barkly school bands & Band Nomadic. All ages gig, from 12 – 2pm, lunchtime gig.
• Katherine Tick Market Compound (Katherine) - Riverside DJs (dj greggydee), Kellie Lee, Tom E. Lewis, The Mixed Relations, with further acts TBA. Lyndsay Street Complex, Katherine.

Below, Territory SLAM Day band, Dave Spry & the Moral High Ground.

YOU can support the cause by attending one of the gigs registered in your neck of the woods!

• Read more about SLAM Day.
• Read more about Skarlett’s successful SLAM Day campaign.

Words: Megan Spencer. Sources: SLAM website, AUM media release