Smirnoff Seltzer is taking Australia’s biggest musicians back to the venues that gave them their start, beginning with the much-loved electronic duo, The Presets.
In a series of one-night-only intimate gigs hosted around the eastern seaboard, the events – Smirnoff Origins – will pay homage to the crucial role that live music plays in helping emerging talent cut their teeth, build their fanbase and become fully fledged stars.
Headlined by some of Australia’s biggest acts, the gigs will be anything but ordinary, taking over small live music venues to provide a stage set for exciting new artists that have been specially picked by the headliner to open the show.
The Presets are first to take the stage, returning to Sydney’s iconic nightclub, Club 77 on Thursday February 2, 2023. Club 77 played a vital role in the band’s early years, as the venue where they honed their skills as performers, generated fans and even made reference mixes for their debut album Beams (released in 2005), coming up in the golden age of electronic music in Sydney’s once-pulsating Kings Cross. Returning 17 years later, The Presets will host Smirnoff Origins’ first show with additional artists and venues to be announced.
The Presets are also tasked with finding Smirnoff’s hottest opening act, hand-picking an emerging artist to open their show. The chosen artist will also receive a $5,000 performance fee, double gold tickets to Splendour in the Grass 2023, their very own feature in Rolling Stone magazine, and Smirnoff Advertising support, giving them a platform to be discovered.
The Presets Julian Hamilton says, “We’re thrilled to head back to Club 77 to play at Smirnoff Origins, a venue that was so special to us coming up in Sydney music. Live music venues like this play such an important role in supporting up-and-coming musicians and we’re on the lookout for an emerging artist to open our Smirnoff Origins show so we can pay it forward and create an opportunity for the next generation of artists.”
Lockdowns were particularly hard on Australia’s live-music industry, causing the closure of several iconic music venues in the wake of two years of restrictions. Without a stage on which to perform, many emerging artists struggled to hone their skills, find fans and make a living. Venues are only now returning to life, but they continue to need support to be able to offer opportunities to the next generation of musicians.
Smirnoff Origins has been launched in celebration of Smirnoff Seltzer’s new Cocktail range – Spicy Margarita and Watermelon Margarita, both refreshing tasting drinks for summer days, and lively nights. As the brand that music lovers reach for during summer festivals and when enjoying live music with friends, Smirnoff wanted to find a way to use their platform to give back to their mates in the music sector.
The Presets return to Sydney’s iconic nightclub, Club 77 on Thursday February 2, 2023. Tickets here.
