#VAXFORLIVE - Aotearoa's Music Community Unite Against Covid-19

A small army of significant Aotearoa artists have thrown their weight behind the new #VAXFORLIVE initiative, urging everyone who loves live music to get vaccinated as soon as possible, to help ensure we can have awesome shows and festivals to look forward to this summer. You'd have to had been dwelling inside some kind of remote cave for the past 18 months not to know our live music community has been hugely impacted by Covid-19, and that the only way for unrestricted gigs to happen again is for as many people in NZ as possible to go out there and get the jab (I've done it, it was zero hassle) — book HERE if you haven't done so already. Local icons supporting #VAXFORLIVE include Neil Finn of Crowded House, Benee, Supergroove, Theia, Ladyhawke, Reb Fountain and more. Read their words of encouragement below, check out a new vid from festival faves Shapeshifter promoting the urgent message below and please get vaccinated — it's the most empowering and direct way you can support our live music community.

“Crowded House were truly blessed to play shows in Aotearoa NZ in March. Live concerts bring joy and freedom that lift the spirits of audience and artists alike. This summer NZ will be open again for concerts but you will need to be vaccinated against Covid. Come on everyone, we’ve had the vaccine, it's safe and it's keeping the ones we love safe” — Neil Finn (Crowded House)

"Me kaha taatou ki te patu i a Korona ki te rongoaa aaraimate. Kia okaina ia o taatou, ka ora ai te ao puuoro.” “We should all contribute to fight Covid19 by being vaccinated. Through this, our music industry will flourish again.” — Theia

“If you want to go to shows please get vaccinated! You’re not just protecting yourselves but others who may be vulnerable! This vaccine has been proven to reduce hospitalisations and deaths. I feel like I need to stand on this to protect my family, friends, band, my crew & my supporters, to keep all of them safe. Without the vaccine there wont be any shows! I’ve had mine! Get urs if u are able to pls.” — Benee

“It’ll be seven years since Supergroove last played by the time Electric Avenue rolls around this February. We’re hoping everyone get’s vaxxed so we can party together with Lorde and the rest of an almighty line up in Ōtautahi! Ngā Mihi Aotearoa.” — Supergroove

“For me getting the vaccine is all about protection - protecting the people who I love who cannot get vaccinated because they’re immunocompromised. Or because they’re ineligible, like my daughter who’s just about to turn 4. And after almost two years of not being able to tour internationally the vaccine gives me the best protection to be able to do the job that I love. I cannot wait to be on stage playing music again here in Aotearoa, and the best way for us to get to that summer of gigs and dancing is to be vaccinated. For our whanau, for our communities, and for ourselves.” — Ladyhawke

"We can reunite with #vaxforlive. My favourite part of music making is playing live but we gotta do it safely, and if you haven’t already heard, us artists won’t be able to do our work and you won’t be able to enjoy live music, festivals or the arts without getting vaccinated. I want to be part of incredible live shows where you, my friends - audiences and artists, venues and crew - are all as safe and protected as possible. We can reunite with #vaxforlive. I know what it’s like to feel hesitant about vaccines but for me getting vaccinated against Covid means that I am doing my best to protect my friends, whanau and myself. If you haven’t already been vaccinated please do it now. If you’re scared or hesitant it’s OK - book a consultation with your GP and they can advise you. We’re all in this together - I can’t wait to play for you really soon". — Reb Fountain