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Clarence Tunes a storming success again in 2023

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Wet weather may have forced a last-minute venue change, but it was raining talent at the Maclean Bowling Club on March 25 as singers and songwriters from across the region stepped onto the stage and let their vocals and instrumental skills shine during local music festival Clarence Tunes.

Originally scheduled to be held at the Maclean Showground, a drizzly forecast over the weekend meant event organiser Nash Crofton and his dedicated crew of volunteers had to quickly reshuffle the program, working overtime to ensure more than 350 people were still able to attend and enjoy the show.

A star-studded line up including Isla and Bella, Waiting For Alex, Olivia Hinde, and Kirra Hallam, earned repeated rounds of applause from an appreciative audience, who described the performers as “outstanding”, “awesome”, and “amazing.”

After participating in Clarence Tunes during its inauguration last year, Yamba father and son duo Ryan and Oscar Enns, who perform under their stage name the Enns of the Earth, told the crowd they were ecstatic to be part of the event again in 2023, adding they “couldn’t say yes fast enough” when Nash invited them to participate.

“When Nash asks you to do something, you just do it,” they said happily.

Proud young Bundjalung man Lennox Monaghan also performed a traditional Welcome to Country during the night and wowed the audience with his didgeridoo skills.

Following the overwhelming success of Clarence Tunes in 2022, Nash said he was thrilled the music festival, which celebrates local artists and provides them with an opportunity to perform live and share their singing and song writing abilities with their community, made a prominent return in 2023.

He also acknowledged the Maclean Bowling Club for kindly agreeing to host the event at late notice for the second year in a row.

“It all came together in the end,” he said.

“It was great to see so many people come out and support the festival because it makes such a difference to all the musicians who performed on the night.

“An event like this doesn’t just happen by itself.

“There are so many people who have contributed to the festival in so many different ways, and I just want to thank all of them.

“There are too many to name individually, but it’s been a massive team effort to make Clarence Tunes happen again.”

During the night, performers were also given the opportunity to win a complimentary recording session at Flat Jack’s Sound Shack via a lucky draw, with Isla and Bella, Hometown Revival, and Lennox Monaghan later revealed as the lucky winners.

When asked if Clarence Tunes will make another successful return in 2024, Nash said he is hopeful of bringing the event back in 12 months.

Clarence Valley Independent 29 March 2023

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 29 March 2023.

Related stories: Tune in to see local talent shine; Tuning in to see our local talent

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