As the world enters a second year of unprecedented times, many event organisers are being cautious about bringing large events back to the town for the health and safety of themselves, their families and their community.

This includes the 2021 Red Hot Summer Tour, which will not be coming to the Old Mount Gambier Gaol during its national tour this year due to potential community health risks. Event organiser James Stephenson, who had brought shows such as Bliss n Eso, Xavier Rudd and Hilltop Hoods to Mount Gambier, said making the decision against bringing the national tour to the Old Gaol this year was not easy.

“It’s definitely something that’s hard for me to take as well, because I love music, I love my community and I love bringing big shows to the community,” he said.

Last year 4500 people attended the concert at the Old Mount Gambier Gaol, which comprised a jampacked line up of Australian rock artists. “It was just too much of a risk to bring such a large show to the town,” Mr Stephenson said.

“This will be the first time in five years the tour has not made its way to Mount Gambier.

“The Red Hot Summer Tour is an amazing event and I do thank the community for getting behind it over the last five years apart from Mannum, we’re the second-longest serving venue.”

Mr Stephenson said he would like to bring the Red Hot Summer Tour back to Mount Gambier in the future. “Let’s have a year off, let’s recoup and make sure our families are healthy and strong and that we continue to stay strong as a community and a regional town,” he said.

Mr Stephenson said he was grateful for the support received from the community and council in bringing the tour to town. “Thank you very much to all the locals, we have really appreciated the backing over the last 10 years,” he said.

“And absolutely next year and beyond we’ll definitely be doing a lot more shows and look forward to bringing some big acts to Mount Gambier.”

With plans in the pipeline for Mount Gambier’s live music scene, Mr Stephenson said he would like to start promoting Mount Gambier’s many talented local younger bands and up-and-coming artists along with the big shows.

“I want to absolutely do music shows in the future,” he said. “There’s no doubt about that and I will.”