our dream comes to life
The Geelong Muso’s Reunion is an annual event that celebrates the music and culture of a bygone era, specifically the era of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. From the 1950s, Geelong has been a breeding ground for pop, rock, blues, and continental bands and during the sixties and seventies, the music scene in Geelong was booming. Bands played in a variety of venues including public dance halls, church dances, pubs, clubs, ethnic club halls and more. Most of these venues were operating at the same time and all featured Geelong bands.
These early Geelong bands laid the groundwork for others to move forward into the national and international spotlight. Some bands and individuals made it on their own, some made their mark locally before breaking up or moving on, and others worked with and backed Australia’s premier performers of the day. Without these Geelong bands, touring singers and bands wouldn’t have had support to help build their shows. All of them played their part in building the popular music scene in Geelong.
The idea for the reunion came about after a group of old friends got together after the funeral of a local musician in 2016 and wondered why they only got together when someone died. Charles Smith, Sam Santospirito, and Barry Lynch took things a bit further and set up a Facebook page and the word quickly spread, generating a lot of interest. The reunion has grown from there, with more and more musicians and fans joining the Facebook page.
Now, the reunion has become an annual event that brings together the bands from the “golden years” of Geelong’s music scene and providing a chance for fans to relive the memories of their favorite bands. Each year, the event attracts a large crowd of music lovers, nostalgic fans and musicians alike, who come together to celebrate the rich music history of Geelong, and the bands and performers who shaped it.
bringing friends together
The Geelong Muso’s Reunion is not just an event to celebrate music, but it is also a way to bring friends together. The event has been created by a group of old friends, Charles Smith, Sam Santospirito and Barry Lynch, who were motivated by a shared sense of nostalgia and the desire to reconnect with old bandmates.
The reunion is a perfect opportunity for people who have lost touch over the years to come together, reminisce and make new memories. The atmosphere at the event is one of camaraderie and friendship, as fans and musicians alike come together to celebrate the music and culture of a bygone era.
The event also creates a sense of community, as people who may have never met before come together to share a common love for music. The Geelong Muso’s Reunion is a celebration of the power of music to bring people together and create lasting friendships.
don's party
A natural extension of the Geelong Musos’ Reunion is Don’s Party, a monthly get-together of Geelong musicians, where they can play together, jam, and enjoy each other’s company. The idea behind Don’s Party is to provide a casual and relaxed environment for musicians to connect and play together. It’s a place where musos can come together to share their passion for music and inspire each other.
Don’s Party is held on the second Tuesday of every month at the Sphinx in Geelong. The event is open to all musicians, regardless of their skill level or genre of music. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and play together in an informal setting. The party is not a traditional concert setting, but rather an opportunity for musicians to come together and play for the pure joy of making music. There are no rules or expectations, and everyone is welcome to join in and play as they wish.
The event has become a staple in the Geelong music scene and generates a lot of interest from musicians and music lovers alike. It’s a great opportunity for musicians to collaborate, exchange ideas, and make new friends. Don’s Party is also a great way for musicians to gain experience playing in front of an audience and for fans to discover new musicians. It’s a place where musicians can come together to make new connections, exchange ideas and create something new together. It’s a celebration of the community and the power of music