Support Act’s longest running fundraising event, Music In The House, will return to Sydney after a two-year hiatus on Tuesday 23 August at The Grounds of Alexandria.

The sold-out event will welcome leaders from across the music industry, including past and present Support Act Board Directors, in celebration of the charity’s 25th anniversary.

Aussie legends, Midnight Oil, will be honoured with this year’s prestigious Excellence in the Community Award for their incredible contribution to music, the community and activism in support of the environment, nuclear non-proliferation, Indigenous rights and much more. 

Hosted by Zan Rowe, the night will feature killer acoustic performances of Midnight Oil classics by William Barton and Veronique Serret, Olympia, All Our Exes Live In Texas, and Dave Faulkner. 

Support Act will also be unveiling its inaugural First Nations Strategic Plan, designed in consultation with Elders and Indigenous leaders across the country and led by the organisation’s First Nations Community Engagement and Social Worker, Cerisa Benjamin.

CEO of Support Act, Clive Miller, explains: “After two long years, we’re very excited to be back with an in-person event to celebrate our anniversary and all of the incredible people who have been part of Support Act’s amazing journey over the past 25 years. We’re also thrilled to be sharing some of our plans for the future.

“It’s hard to imagine a more iconic artist to celebrate on this occasion than Midnight Oil. They are an amazing band whose contribution to music and the community is unparalleled”. 

A highlight of the celebration will be an online auction of Midnight Oil memorabilia, including a specially created Fender Vintera ’50s Telecaster wrapped in a custom print of Midnight Oil’s 10-1 album artwork, the actual surfboard used to promote the Scream in Blue live album, watercolour prints of the band at soundcheck by artist Christabel Blackman and some rare band vinyl. 

There will also be a raffle with prizes including rare paintings from Troy Cassar-Daley, a Sennheiser/Neumann monitor and headphone system, RØDECaster Pro II production consul, tickets for CMC Rocks, Moulin Rouge, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis at Hanging Rock, Dua Lipa, and more. Both the auction and raffle are open to the public to bid or buy from now until 9pm, Tuesday 23 August at musicinthehouse.org.

Music In The House was created in 2006 as an opportunity for Support Act to recognise someone in Australian music for their musicianship and their broader contribution to the community.

Over the past 16 years, the event has celebrated many wonderful Australian artists including Tina Arena, Paul Kelly and Archie Roach, featured heartfelt and moving testimony from their peers regarding their influence and impact on their lives, and raised thousands of dollars for music workers doing it tough.