The $5 million On the Road Again initiative will see artists including Baker Boy, Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Isaiah Firebrace, Kaiit, Gordi and Music in Exile and others hit the road to regional Victoria and outer Melbourne.

The On the Road Again tour bus rolled in to Ballarat yesterday to launch the initiative at The Eastern Hotel with a performance from Kaiit.

SEE ARIA MUSIC AWARD-WINNER KAIIT PERFORM AT THE EASTERN HOTEL FOR THE LAUNCH OF ON THE ROAD AGAIN

"With more than 300 incredible events and an awesome line-up of local artists, this summer offers plenty of reasons to take a music-fuelled road trip across Victoria," said Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson.

Launch host and music-lover Myf Warhurst said On the Road would support the musicians, artists and local communities who struggled during the COVID lockdowns.

"The combination of live music and country communities is one of the best things ever," she said.

"Tiny towns and incredible communities throughout our state to be able to experience the likes of (these performers) in places like Mechanics Institutes, churches, country halls and parks ... is something I could have only dreamed of when living in regional Victoria.

"This is one way to not only reinvigorate live music in Victoria, but reinvigorate local, regional communities."

Mr Pearson said the $5 million On the Road Again budget would fund 34 grants to individuals and groups including regional venues, promoters and artists.

Among the program is a 20-date youth music calendar of events which will provide live music for younger audiences through The Push.

"This is going to be an absolute game changer for our state," Mr Pearson said.

"It will bring back musicians to the live stage and make sure people right across this state can see some fantastic acts.

"This is about the great reward that all Victorians deserve for what they gone through over the last 20 months, particularly the last 12 months.

"The government said people need to go and get vaccinated, and if you're going out you need to QR code and Victorians have done a fantastic job so now we are in a position of being one of the most vaccinated communities in the world ... so we are in this position to be able to experience great live music in iconic venues like this (The Eastern Hotel)."

Mr Pearson said On the Road Again would not only bring music back to the stage, but provide a boost to the venues, musicians and performers who have struggled over the past two years.

IN OTHER NEWS

"If you look at live music and live music venues they were the first to shut ... and the last to get back and going.

"Now we are out of lockdown we don't want people staying at home we want people coming out to venues like this and celebrating (live music)."

Details of the first On The Road Again events are now online, with further gigs and events to be added throughout 2022. For more information on gigs and tickets visit vmdo.com.au/ontheroadagain.

Our team of local journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the Ballarat community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: