Five time ARIA award-winning Australian rock band The Cruel Sea will play their first show in ten years to headline Wild Aid 2023, a fundraiser for wildlife in association with Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and Bluesfest. The five-piece band will play the exclusive benefit gig on Saturday 21 October at the 1700-capacity Green Room at Byron Events Farm as a warmup to their recently announced national tour. The event aims to raise awareness and funds for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital’s life-saving veterinary treatment, and care for sick injured and orphaned wildlife.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter, Cruel Sea front man and wildlife ambassador Tex Perkins said he was shocked when he heard that Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital had lost a $6million funding grant announced by the NSW Government in February. Perkins contacted the hospital’s management team offering his support: “I’ve seen what these incredibly caring humans do to help wildlife,” said Perkins. “Losing that vital funding was a brutal shock, and I really wanted to help,” he said.“The Cruel Sea had started to jam again, it feels and sounds really good, the guys were keen, so playing a benefit gig made sense to kick start getting back on the road to play a bunch of shows.”
Bluesfest Executive Chairman Peter Noble OAM said he was delighted to provide the venue for the fundraiser for an important cause:
“Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital is unique in Australia, and we’re lucky to have it in the richly biodiverse Northern Rivers” said Noble.
“We simply cannot let more wildlife suffer and die needlessly in our backyards.We’re excited to play host to The Cruel Sea’s first gig in a decade here inByron, and to help raise much-needed funds for wildlife.”
Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital CEO Dr Stephen Van Mil said his entire team were deeply grateful for the support of such a brilliant group of musicians:
“We were left reeling after the NSW government told us they wouldn’t approve the funding they announced in February. Having The Cruel Sea play their first show in ten years to help raise money for us is mind-blowing. We’re so thankful and proud to have Tex as an ambassador.”
The Cruel Sea will be joined at Wild Aid 2023 by solo artist and Magic Dirt singer Adalita, Loose Content and Jez Mead.
Tickets for the 18+ event are available at Moshtix