MUSIC People host and creator Matt Field believes the show's debut at the Civic Theatre on Tuesday night will showcase the program's full potential.
The live-stream music show was launched back in September and has delivered four episodes from Sawtooth Studios in Tighes Hill. However, the easing of COVID-19 restrictions has allowed Music People to be filmed in front of a live audience at the Civic Theatre, as Field originally intended.
There has been a glut of live-stream content since the outbreak of the coronanvirus pandemic competing for the eyeballs of music fans.
Field says Music People's point of difference is the fact it's performed live in front of an audience.
We're not just a bunch of live-streamers hanging around having a bit of fun as a hobby.
Matt Field
"The Civic Theatre as a backdrop will straight away give the show a feeling and a vibe that we're serious, we're not just a bunch of live-streamers hanging around having a bit of fun as a hobby," Field says.
"We're actually a legitimate production company, we're basically putting our whole heart and soul into this and a venue of that calibre is going to help us communicate to people that it's a really high-end music show and that we're here for the long term."
Former runner-up on The Voice Darren Percival is scheduled to perform on episode five, alongside emerging Indigenous folk artist Emily Wurramara, who is one of the program's four musical directors.
Kurri Kurri gothic-country star Tori Forsyth and Newcastle Americana songwriter James Thomson will also perform.
Music People co-director Ben Steer of Continuous Music said he's confident the show's profile is growing and that it'll become an important stop on the tour circuit.
"I think we'll get to a stage where we're reacting because bands will be touring and calling to ask, 'Can we do the show on our way through Newcastle'," Steer says.
Field's next step for Music People is to secure season two, which he hopes to deliver in March and April.
Music People was created following a City of Newcastle grant under its Industry Response Program for industries heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. But Field is searching for commercial investment to build the show into the future.
"My discussions with council initially was always around getting funding to get a first season off the ground and to get enough industry and commercial interest from that for the show to have legs to continue on without council funding," Field says.
Music People begins at 7.30pm on Tuesday at the Civic Theatre. Tickets are $10. You can also live-stream the show through the Newcastle Herald Facebook page.
