Five-time ARIA award-winning Australian rock band The Cruel Sea will play their first show in ten years to headline Wild Aid 2023, a fundraiser for wildlife in association with Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital and Bluesfest.

The five-piece band will play the exclusive benefit gig on Saturday, 21 October, at the 1700-capacity The Green Room at Byron Events Farm as a warmup to their recently announced national tour. The event aims to raise awareness and funds for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital’s life-saving veterinary treatment and care for sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter, Cruel Sea frontman and wildlife ambassador Tex Perkins said he was shocked when he heard that Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital had lost a $6 million funding grant announced by the NSW Government in February. Perkins contacted the hospital’s management team, offering his support.

“I’ve seen what these incredibly caring humans do to help wildlife,” said Perkins. “Losing that vital funding was a brutal shock, and I really wanted to help. The Cruel Sea had started to jam again. It feels and sounds really good; the guys were keen, so playing a benefit gig made sense to kick start getting back on the road to play a bunch of shows.”

Bluesfest Executive Chairman Peter Noble OAM said he was delighted to provide the venue for the fundraiser for an important cause.

“Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital is unique in Australia, and we’re lucky to have it in the richly biodiverse Northern Rivers,” said Noble. “We simply cannot let more wildlife suffer and die needlessly in our backyards. We’re excited to play host to The Cruel Sea’s first gig in a decade here in Byron and to help raise much-needed funds for wildlife.”

Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital CEO Dr Stephen Van Mil said his entire team was deeply grateful for the support of such a brilliant group of musicians.

“We were left reeling after the NSW government told us they wouldn’t approve the funding they announced in February.”

“Having The Cruel Sea play their first show in ten years to help raise money for us is mind-blowing. We’re so thankful and proud to have Tex as an ambassador.”

The Cruel Sea will be joined at Wild Aid 2023 by solo artist and Magic Dirt singer Adalita, Loose Content and Jez Mead.

Proceeds from Wild Aid 2023 will go directly to providing veterinary treatment and care for sick and injured wildlife admitted to Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.

Tickets for the 18+ event are available at Moshtix. Ticket Link:

Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital

Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital is a registered charity licensed by the Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW. It is the only all-species wildlife hospital in NSW outside of Taronga Wildlife Hospitals in Sydney and Dubbo and opened in 2020 after the Black Summer bushfires. Custom-built inside a 22-wheel semi-trailerit is also Australia's largest mobile wildlife hospital, capable of being deployed anywhere in NSW and interstate, providing emergency triage, treatment, and care for native animals affected by natural disasters like bushfires or floods. Their professional veterinary services are provided to native wildlife rescued by licensed wildlife carers, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and members of the community, seven days a week, free of charge. They have treated over 4,000 animals since opening.

Bluesfest

Bluesfest is Australia’s most awarded music festival and has been recognised as one of the TOP 10 Festivals of the Decade by industry bible Pollstar in 2021. From its humble beginnings in 1990, the festival now takes place at the beautiful Byron Events Farm (formerly the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm), regularly attracting an audience of over 100,000. Located just 10 minutes north of Byron Bay, NSW, Australia, Bluesfest is well-situated and surrounded by the charming village of Mullumbimby and the beach towns of Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads. Best festival vibes ever!

The Cruel Sea

Tex Perkins will reunite with original band members Dan Rumour, Jim Elliott and Ken Gormly for the tour. Guitarist/keyboardist Matt Walker will take the place of the late James Cruickshank. The five-piece band will play the exclusive benefit gig as a warmup to their recently announced national "The Honeymoon is Over" tour. Due to popular demand, the tour has just added two additional shows in Sydney and Melbourne.

Adalita

Singer-songwriter Adalita is best known as the frontwoman of alternative-rock band Magic Dirt. Emerging from the post-punk scene in Geelong in 1991, Magic Dirt was at the forefront of the Australian Grunge era.

Loose Content

Loose Content is an indie rock band born and bred in the hinterland of Byron Bay. The trio consists of members MiLLa (brass and vocals), Sam Sanders (Guitar) and Aquila Porter (Drums)

Jez Mead

Singer-songwriter, and Byron Bay frequenter Jez Mead has been writing and recording his own materials since 2001. Jez has toured all over the country, bringing his music to audiences near and far.

Madeleine West

Actor, author, activist, podcaster and mother, Madeleine West will be the MC of Wild Aid 2023. As a Byron Bay local, Madeleine is actively involved in a number of wildlife and children's charities.

The Cruel Sea to Headline Fundraiser for Wildlife