Paul Kelly to lead NYE concert

Paul Kelly will headline a New Year’s Eve concert on ABC, from the Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne with Teskey Brothers.

Amy Shark, DMAs, Vera Blue, Casey Donovan, Odette and Ben Lee will all perform at the Sydney Opera House.

Zan Rowe and Charlie Pickering are hosts while Rove McManus, Kiki Masella and Chenelle Carr present a family-friendly variety show earlier in the evening.

For many Australians, 2020 has been a challenging year. In a time of great uncertainty, one thing is assured, the ABC will unite all Australians in saying goodbye to 2020 and celebrating across the country. The theme for the evening is We Are One and broadcasting the annual New Year’s Eve show live from the Opera House in Sydney and Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the ABC will bring us all together for a night of music, fun and fireworks.

Kicking off at 8:30pm is a special family-friendly variety show hosted by Rove McManus, Kiki Masella (Grace Beside Me) and Chenelle Carr featuring a fireworks display of highlights from years gone by. Later in the evening, hosts Zan Rowe and Charlie Pickering will introduce a stunning line-up of Aussie talent and musical performances.

Headlining the musical entertainment from Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne, we’ll be joined by legend Paul Kelly performing a concert length set of songs from his beloved catalogue with some very special guests. From the Sydney Opera House, indie-pop singer-songwriter Amy Shark will take to the stage fresh from her ARIA win. Joining the night’s line-up after releasing one of the biggest albums of the year are indie rockers, the DMA’S and the Sydney Harbour backdrop will be the perfect setting for folk-electro singer Vera Blue’s graceful tones. Blues-rock band the Teskey Brothers will then serenade their hometown of Melbourne with their sublime soul sound. Reigning queen of New Year’s Eve Casey Donovan returns for what has become an annual tradition and there will be a heartfelt tribute to Helen Reddy from rising star Odette. Multi-instrumentalist Ben Lee will open the concert by reminding us we’re all in this together.

At midnight, and in collaboration with NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, the night sky will light up with a live firework display as we say goodbye to 2020 and welcome to the New Year.

A limited audience will join us at the Sydney Opera House. This “local hero” audience is made up of people nominated by their community as having made a real difference through these tough times. Nominate your local hero here: ab.co/nyehero

Thursday December 31 on ABC.