After Dark with Gary Pinto
Blitz Golf, the world’s only professional short-format golf league, recently announced the launch of the Blitz Golf Global League, which will bring the revolutionary, fan-first format to audiences in Australia in 2026. The first event is set to take place in Yarrawonga at Silverwood’s Resort’s Black Bull Golf Course on the 25th of January, with a very special concert to follow all the golfing action. The After Dark concert will continue the days festivities and party atmosphere with an amazing all Australian lineup that includes Aussie legends DIESEL, Taxiride feat Jason Singh, Neo-Soul Singer Natasha Pinto, Local Yarrawonga Artist Jade Gibson & DJ Grand Master Baitz. We caught up with After Dark’s promoter ARIA Award winning and multi-platinum selling recording artist Gary Pinto to find out more about this exciting event.
Gary, you are the Promoter for the After Dark Festival, happening at the Blitz Golf event at the Silverwoods Resort, Yarrawonga. Is this the first festival you have been involved in on the planning side of things or do you have a history in music events?
I’ve been around music events for most of my life and have just finished planning and successfully managing a Youth Festival for The Catholic Church which had 6000 attendees. I’ve found myself moving more into the space of planning and promoting events and have really enjoyed the process. To be able to put something together that is of the highest level and with incredible acts and people is a very rewarding thing to do and I’m loving the lead up to the After Dark Festival in Yarrawonga.
This is the first time Blitz Golf will take place at the Black Bull Golf Course, and the first time an After Dark event will be a part of the festivities. What makes the Blitz Golf and the After Dark event special?
Blitz is like the 20/20 series of cricket and as that revolutionised the game, Blitz is doing the same for golf - making it accessible and exciting for people who would not normally have the time to invest into a full tournament. The After Dark event is the first of many and to have Diesel, Taxiride, (feat Jason Singh, Jade Gibson and Natasha performing in this region will be very special. It’s a beautiful setting at Black Bull Golf Course on the lake and on the long weekend it will be incredible.
“I have found that there are many regions that encompass the event - Cobram, Mulwala, Albury-Wodonga, Shepparton and many beautiful towns”
We are living through difficult times at the moment, what have been the challenges in organizing a the After Dark event, especially one that is taking place in a regional centre?
Not being from the area, but having visited, I have found that there are many regions that encompass the event - Cobram, Mulwala, Albury-Wodonga, Shepparton and many beautiful towns- having access to their media and different outlets has been great as they’ve welcomed and are excited about the event, there is just a lot of territory to cover! It’s going to be a wonderful event. We have buses coming in from different regions, trains, planes and automobiles, it’s shaping up to be amazing.
The event is a family-friendly affair, does this make it easier or more challenging to organise given the regulations involved around alcohol consumption and finding suitable kid-friendly activities?
Everything is well regulated and monitored, in today’s society and in planning these kind of events, there is a lot of regulation that is necessary but our team has been diligent and has made sure to cross every, ‘t’, and for every, ‘I’, in all of the regulatory departments, safeguarding and risk management for the event.
“I wanted to ensure that the concert was accessible for all and that prices were reasonable for the attendees.”
Why was it important to make sure the event was reasonably priced and Family inclusive?
Being a musician myself and living in the current economic environment, I wanted to ensure that the concert was accessible for all and that prices were reasonable for the attendees. I’ve witnessed music concerts being charged at rates that are completely unaffordable and our intention is to make an incredible event for everyone to enjoy and for it to continue for years to come.
As a curator, how did you decide which artists and bands to invite to perform?
Diesel, Taxiride and Natasha are 3 of my favourite artists of all time. When the event was being discussed, they were first to mind and I wanted to lock them in immediately. Jade Gibson, I came across through a friend from Yarrawonga and have been a fan from the first hearing of her music. Jade is a country star in her own right and I can’t wait to see her perform with the other artists and to see what the future holds for her in the music industry.
“Natasha and Jade represent the new soul and country movement in music, Diesel and Taxiride the massive hits that people know and love.”
Was it important for you to cater to a range of demographics with the acts you have selected?
Yes it is important to have a variety of musical styles that all have a common link. Each artist on the bill is at the highest level of the music business and all hold their own in a unique and wonderful way. I truly am a fan of each artist and will be watching as a fan from the side of stage. Natasha and Jade represent the new soul and country movement in music, Diesel and Taxiride the massive hits that people know and love.
Who off the all Australian lineup are you personally looking forward to seeing play live on stage?
All of them! Truly, I will be a fan watching from the side of stage as each artist brings something extraordinary and unique to the show.
A lot goes into events like the Blitz and After Dark behind the scenes, is there anyone from the stage, sound or staff crews that deserve a special shout-out?
Angie Young from Xposed Media has been pivotal in the promotion of this event and is my first point of call for all things promo and music related. There is no one in the music business that works harder and gets better results that I’ve seen in 30 years in music than Angie. Olivia Kelly, Justin Peters and the team at Silverwood Resort have been a wonderful team to work with as well as Nolan Media who have been logistical masterminds. It’s a really great team we have working together to make this event a success.
What do ticket holders need to know about Blitz and After Dark? Do you have a message for punters attending this inaugural event?
Enjoy yourself and take in the beautiful scenery, sport and music. This is the first of many and we hope you have a great time, we’re working to make it a special and memorable event for all who attend.
Further information available via https://thesebelyarrawonga.com.au/discover/whats-on/blitz-after-dark-event/
Blitz Golf Info here.
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Interview by Michelle Symes
December 2025
