The Badloves’ frontman Michael Spiby knows first hand the threat posed by fire as the band prepares for this weekend’s Band Together bushfire relief concert.
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Spiby has “vivid recollections” of fire taking hold of forest near his Mornington Peninsula home in 2015, and following the “awe and terror” of witnessing flames high above the treeline now makes sure his family has “suitcases permanently packed, just in case”.
When all the clever technology fails, it can’t be left to chance.
- The Badloves frontman Michael Spiby
“It [fire] initiates the feeling of fight or flight,” Spiby said.
“I also know people aren’t always insured for these situations and you can be left vulnerable.”
He said communities should be fitted with a bushfire alarm system.
“When all the clever technology fails, it can’t be left to chance,” Spiby said.
“In that moment when a bushfire hits, there’s not much time to move even for able-bodied people.”
Spiby said the Far South Coast is one of his favourite destinations, with the “perfect ratio of humans to animals”.
“You can just lose yourself in nature,” he said.
“I heard about the bushfire in the news, and we just jumped at the chance to be involved [in the concert].”
He will also be fulfilling a lifelong dream of seeing one of his favourite groups live for the first time.
“I haven’t seen the Hoodoo Gurus, what a fabulous outfit,” he said.
“I’ve always wanted to see them.”
Spiby said larger concerts provide an avenue for “more theatre”, and die-hard fans can expect to hear all The Badloves’ classics.
The relief concert has already raised half of the targeted $250,000, with 3500 tickets selling out ahead of Saturday.