Live music returns to regional Victoria

Live music will grace Victoria's regions again as part of an expanded concert series to test the state's COVID-19 vaccination system for large crowds.

Eight more Play On Victoria gigs will be held across the state on the weekend of October 30 to 31, featuring more than 20 local artists including Gareth Liddiard, Dan Kelly, Kutcha Edwards & Friends and Alice Skye.

The concerts will be staged outdoors at venues in Avenel, Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Geelong, Gippsland, and Warrnambool.

To gain entry, gig-goers will have to show proof they are fully vaccinated through the Service Victoria or Medicare apps or equivalent smartphone wallet.

They can also present a printed version of their vaccination certificate or immunisation history statement, or provide evidence of a valid exemption.

The regional events will coincide with the main Play On Victoria gig at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on October 30, with almost 4000 music fans to soak up performances by Baker Boy, Amyl and the Sniffers, and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.

Creative Industries Minister Danny Pearson said the newly-added regional concerts were a vital step to bringing live music back and getting the lockdown-stricken industry back on its feet.

"We're making sure we have the best technology in place to get our great local events up and going again and make them run as smoothly as possible," he said in a statement on Friday.