Festival News

Smirnoff Seltzer is taking Australia’s biggest musicians back to the venues that gave them their start, supported by the country’s most hotly-tipped talent. 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 (valued at $1,200), their very own feature in Rolling Stone magazine (valued at $20,000), and Smirnoff Advertising support worth $30,000, 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. 

Club 77 owner Dane Gorrel says, “Live music venues feed an entire ecosystem for our late-night economy, across musicians, hospitality staff, restaurants, and travel. It’s about being part of a community that contributes and creates culture. We’re thrilled to host the first Smirnoff Origins and to be able to use the event series to shine a light on the live-music scene that makes Australian music so special and creates so many opportunities for the next generation of musicians to be discovered.” 

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. 

Smirnoff Seltzer Marketing Manager Maddy Stockwell says, “Smirnoff is synonymous with music and the memories we create while enjoying live music with friends at festivals and gigs and discovering new sounds. These venues are such a big part of Smirnoff’s DNA, so we wanted to celebrate the launch of our new Smirnoff Seltzer cocktail range by paying homage to the industry that has supported some of our biggest talent by taking them back to their roots and creating an opportunity for an emerging artist to follow in their footsteps.”

Smirnoff Origins shows will pop-up all along the Eastern Seaboard, with the next show to be announced in Brisbane in January 2023.

To be selected to open for The Presets at Smirnoff Origins at Club 77, emerging artists must send a direct message to Smirnoff Australia’s Instagram with a link to their song on Spotify, Soundcloud or YouTube. Smirnoff Origins submissions close on Monday 19 December, 2022 at 09:00 AEDT. The winner will be notified by Instagram direct message on Monday 19 December before being announced publicly on the Smirnoff Australia Instagram on Friday 13 January, 2023. Entries are open to Australians 25+, terms and conditions apply see here. 

Smirnoff Seltzer’s latest product drop is the newest innovation in the brand’s Seltzer range. Coming hot on the heels after record demand for margaritas – both at home and in bars and clubs – Smirnoff’s Seltzer Cocktail range delivers a taste of the much-loved cocktail, boasting just 107 calories per can. Packed with more flavour than a regular seltzer, Smirnoff Seltzer’s Spicy Margarita is fashioned in the Tommy’s Margarita style featuring Smirnoff vodka, zesty lime juice and tequila flavour, balanced with sweetness and a hint of chilli, topped with sparkling water. Smirnoff Seltzer’s Watermelon Margarita offers a fruity twist with a perfectly blended mix of Smirnoff vodka, sweet ripe watermelon and subtle notes of zesty lime and tequila flavour, topped with sparkling water. Unexpectedly bolder in flavour with a clean finish, the two new feisty flavours are low in sugar with just 2.5g per 250ml, 7% ABV and 1.4 standard drinks. 

Smirnoff Seltzer Cocktails 250ml slim-can four-pack retails for $25.99. Smirnoff Seltzer Cocktails Spicy Margarita and Watermelon Margarita flavours are now available in Dan Murphy’s, BWS and independent retailers. 

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