The first Great Southern Nights music festival was held last year as a way to help promote live music after it was shut down due to COVID-19.

Acts were held across NSW, including in Dubbo at The Establishment Bar and Devil's Hollow Brewery.

Now, the multi-venue music festival will return from March 18 to April 10.

Venues can apply to be part of the program via the Great Southern Nights website.

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Artists Amy Shark, Barker Boy, Jessica Mauboy, Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins and Peking Duk have already signed up to take part. However, Great Southern Nights will also feature emerging talents and local acts.

It will be delivered in partnership with the NSW government and the Australian Recording Industry Association.

"Great Southern Nights celebrates the very essence of live music in Australia - it's about getting artists on stages, gigs in venues, and audiences back enjoying performances by our talented creatives right across the State," Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said.

"Last year more than 75,000 tickets were sold for 1100-plus gigs at over 300 venues, and we know the appetite is there to get out and enjoy live music in Sydney and regional NSW which is why we must continue our vaccination efforts in coming weeks and months.

"Great Southern Nights was designed with COVID-safety in mind, supporting shows of all sizes, in all kinds of live music venues, and giving industry a leg up to get back to work."

Amy Shark said she was super excited.

"Needless to say every artist, every band, every DJ, just everyone is looking forward to playing shows to real life people, so make sure you get behind it," she said.

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