It's Raining, It's Pouring, It's Sound Relief!

14 March 2009

Some of the biggest artists in the world have taken to the stage today to support the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal and the QLD Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal, despite soggy conditions!

Ironically, the Victorian leg of the concert raising funds for those affected by the bushfires which ravaged Victoria recently, was greeted by mother nature with pouring rain.

GALLERY: Soggy Punters at Melbourne Sound Relief!

"I was up at five o'clock this morning, badly jetlagged, watching the rain roll in, it was always going to happen," said Jet guitarist Mark Wilson, whose band were the first on today in Melbourne at 12.10PM.

Frontman Nick Cester added that the gig wasn't about rock 'n' roll bravado.

"As Melburnians, we are very much aware of the gravity of what's happened," Cester said. "It's not about ego or headlining. It's about playing for the cause."

But Jet won't get time to soak in the atmosphere at Melbourne Sound Relief - they're hopping on a plane to play at Sydney Sound Relief this evening.

As rock gods Kings of Leon took to the stage and the rain bucketed down, the thousands of crowd members in the grandstand and punters out in the open wearing plastic ponchos were visibly moved. Singer Caleb Followill raised a glass to the soggy audience and told them how much he and his band appreciated being part of the historical event.

To donate to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal, call 1800 811 700 or head to the Red Cross website.