SWEAT IT OUT! charts the rise and fall of the iconic Australian music scene, affectionately dubbed ‘Oz Rock’.
It’s the story of ambition, power and passion. Of the bands that succeeded, and those that didn’t.
It’s a tale of oversized, colourful characters who risked it all – and the legion of fans who joined them on their journey, sweating it out in the tiny inner urban pubs, massive outer suburban beer barns and jampacked provincial hotels.
It’s the story of a country forging its identity through music and an ethos of bands that toured longer, drove further and played harder to be heard. When bands would play live seven nights a week, sometimes playing three gigs in one day – sometimes even playing three gigs, in three different states, in the one day!
The story will be told first hand by a roll call of Oz Rock survivors who were there in the trenches (rock stars, managers, promoters, DJs, record company executives etc). Archival interview footage of key players now passed will complete the story. The jaw-dropping tales will be enhanced by deep dive archival material – rare behind the-scenes concert footage, live TV appearances, music videos, home movies – plus newsreel footage of the people, times and events that defined these multiple generations.
The music business at the time was a veritable microcosm of Australian society, bubbling with anti-Vietnam sentiments, culture wars, and a taste of liberation with the lifting of censorship. It represented both the best and worst of our country, showcasing a can-do attitude and harnessing a unique, larrikin energy – alongside misogyny and racism. Yet new voices prevailed and change was afoot.
Propelled by a killer soundtrack, SWEAT IT OUT! will be energized, insightful and highly entertaining. And it promises to deliver the ultimate insider’s account of the loud, dirty business of rock ‘n’ roll – Australia style!
