Nando's Australia has launched its first-ever Chicken Shop Sessions, a new initiative in the brand's music strategy, providing a platform for emerging artists to perform and fans to enjoy live music.

The inaugural event took place on July 20th at their Fitzroy store in Melbourne, marking a new chapter in Nando's history of supporting the music industry in Australia, New Zealand, and globally.

The event was a micro-festival, with guests taken to a secret location revealed as Nando's Smith Street Fitzroy store. The evening was opened by DJ and dance producer Nina Las Vegas, followed by performances from emerging artist ISHAN, multi-genre singer-songwriter CHAII, and reggae-rock band Coterie. ISHAN's unreleased tracks have already garnered 18 million views on social media, while CHAII's music has been featured in advertisements, game soundtracks, and television. Coterie is considered one of the fastest-rising bands in Australia and New Zealand.

"From Ed Sheeran to Post Malone and everyone in-between, Nando's has a long history of supporting artists across the music industry. The Chicken Shop Sessions are all about giving emerging artists the opportunity to take centre stage in the wake of major festival cancellations and the mass closure of live music venues. It's also about giving young people the opportunity to experience live music that they're increasingly priced out of," said Nando's Head of Brand & Marketing ANZ, Tom Blackburn.

Nina Las Vegas, the MC for the night, said: "This is very cool. In these times, with Splendour cancelling and all the things we love not happening the way we're used to, we're very grateful to Nando's for their commitment to music because we are here. Anyone that gets artists to perform, and for you to come and enjoy live music, are winners in my eyes."

Nando's partnered with Reconnected, a full-service marketing agency in Melbourne, for the creative and execution of Chicken Shop Sessions. The brand plans to offer more opportunities for emerging artists and experiences for fans across Australia and New Zealand through the Chicken Shop Sessions. Known for its flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, Nando's operates over 200 locations across Australia and New Zealand.