Concerts raise more than $6m for victims of fires and floods

MELBOURNE - The Sound Relief concerts in Sydney and Melbourne have raised more than A$5 million ($6.2 million) for the victims of the Victorian bushfires and the Queensland floods, organisers say.

A spokeswoman for promoter Michael Gudinski yesterday said the 80,000 who braved the torrential rain to attend the show at the Melbourne Cricket Ground made history as being the single-biggest-paying audience ever at an Australian concert event.

All the money raised at the MCG will go to helping those who survived the devastating February 7 bushfires, while the money raised at the Sydney Cricket Ground concert will be split 50-50 between the bushfire victims and those hit by the floods in Queensland.

"The twin Sound Relief charity concerts managed to surpass all the hype and anticipation to deliver a day and evening overflowing with unforgettable moments," the spokeswoman said.

One of the highlights was a message of support broadcast from London of Princes William and Harry expressing their thoughts on the devastation caused by the Victorian bushfires.

A minute's silence was observed at both venues in memory of Victorian and Queensland communities devastated by the recent natural disasters.

And pop princess Kylie Minogue, who flew in for the gig, wowed the crowd with an a cappella rendition of Peter Allen's unofficial anthem I Still Call Australia Home.

Several classic bands reformed especially for the occasion, including Icehouse, Hunters & Collectors, Split Enz - and Midnight Oil, complete with their frontman, federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett. He said

the band was "delighted and thrilled" to participate and there had been no need to convince any of his parliamentary colleagues, including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, that he should appear.

Other acts included Coldplay, John Farnham, Jet and Wolfmother.

- AAP