Castlemaine is set to go bigger this November, with a world record attempt for the most people wearing an Aussie band T-shirt in the same place at the same time, in support of musicians doing it tough.
The gathering will be held on Sunday November 22 at the Old Castlemaine Gaol, in the lead-up to the official AusMusic T-Shirt Day on Thursday November 26.
It follows last year’s event, which drew more than 180 people and dogs in their favourite Aussie band tees. This year, organisers are aiming for 250.
Event organisers Fionna Allan and Adam Perrett said the event raised money for Support Act, the charity that supported musicians and music workers facing hardship, whether through illness, injury, mental health challenges or financial crisis.
“Last year showed us how much Castlemaine loves Aussie music. We’re going bigger this year – every person in a band t-shirt helps raise money for musicians and music workers doing it tough. Come along and help us make some noise for Support Act,” Adam said.
Attendees are invited to bring a picnic, wear their favourite Aussie band T-shirt and meet new people. Dogs are welcome too, especially if they’re wearing a T-shirt! Entry is by gold coin donation, and the cafe at Old Castlemaine Gaol will also be open.
The day features lucky door prizes, DIY scavenger hunt for kids, fundraising raffle and a T-Shirt swap. Raffle prizes donated by Town Folk Festival and Theatre Royal Castlemaine plus lucky door prizes from Rocksteady Records, Shedshaker Taproom and more.
“It’s great to see our community getting behind music and musicians – music is one of the things that makes our area so special. We’re excited to have live music, raffles and a t-shirt swap this year – bring along a band t-shirt and swap for another!” Fionna said.
Live music will be provided by Bendigo-based singer-songwriter Nat Vazer, whose indie pop and pop rock has earned two Australian Music Prize nominations, for her debut album Is This Offensive and Loud? (2020) and for Strange Adrenaline (2023).
The event follows Sunday Rinse, a ticketed morning show at the Gaol presented by Forest Creek Folk in partnership with Town Folk Festival, so festival-goers and music lovers can make a full day of it.
Tickets for Sunday Rinse are available at events.humanitix.com/sunday-rinse-castlemaine
This Ausmusic T-Shirt Day event is supported by a Mount Alexander Shire Council Community Event Grant, and run by volunteers.