Music

Stephen Cranby. What is Roo Fest? Both Donna [Publican] and Mandy Connell [Organiser] agree. Roo Fest is about bringing artists together from around this region of Victoria to provide a venue for musicians who haven’t necessarily been heard or been up this way before. 

Erica Boyington, Meredith Schinckel. August 12 and 13th saw fifteen young Naracoorte musicians travel plus one adult musician travel to Mt Gambier to compete in the music division of the Eisteddfod, held at Wehl Street theatre. An Eisteddfod is a wonderful opportunity for budding musicians to gain practice and confidence with performing, while benefitting from expert feedback.

Emma Pritchard. An enchanting and mesmerising journey which showcases the superb talent, skill and artistry of local musicians and performers, ‘An Afternoon at the Proms’ is one of the Clarence Valley’s most popular and highly anticipated annual events. Proudly presented by the Clarence Valley Orchestra and Chorus, and ... renowned conductor Greg Butcher, An Afternoon at the Proms encompasses a rich variety of classical favourites by Mozart, Stravinsky, Elgar and Strauss.

Get Rhythm is an all-family band from Melbourne, starting with the lead singers Mark and Joanne Caligiuri who are married in real life and the singers band include; sons Chris on bass, Lucas on drums and cousin Adam on lead guitar. They have travelled all over Australia and have spent years recreating the authentic Johnny Cash sound that was very distinctive to the man in black.

Following the success of her recent Queensland tours, British singer-songwriter Emily Maguire is touring community halls in northern NSW in November/December 2022. A contemporary folk artist whose songs have been described as 'music for the soul' (Maverick Magazine), Emily has released six albums and toured the UK extensively with American legends Don McLean, Dr Hook and Eric Bibb.

District Council of Cleve

Samuel Davis. Music is a family business in Cape York. And for Black Image Band’s Vince Harrigan, it all started in the backyard playing for aunties, uncles and cousins ... This week, the group were one of two Cape-based acts to perform at Savannah in the Round festival in Mareeba featuring stellar acts including the Waifs, King Stingray, Shannon Noll and more.

Serena Kirby. Denmark singer-songwriter Marianna Greenham’s return to music after 30 years has produced works which are now widely adopted for family-life challenges. Marianna, 71, will perform at the Denmark Artshouse later this month presenting her earlier songs as well as many new ones. This follows her appearance at this year’s Festival of Voice and a return to music which she says has been good for her soul.

Sarah Martin. Glastonbury, Burning Man and Woodford have nothing on the special vibes of Wallaby Creek Festival, according to international didgeridoo and dance music phenomenon Ganga Giri, who is one of the headline acts at the event. The quietly-spoken musician credits his success to energy, his mum, and a dream as a kid.

Ron Bell. Working as a broadcaster in the radio and television industries over a period of more than 45 years, I had the wonderful fortune and privilege of meeting, talking and interviewing all sorts of people doing all sorts of things in life ... Arriving at the stage and greeting Irene, I was introduced to the other people who just happened to be Judith Durham and her late husband, English actor, pianist and composer Ron Edgeworth.

For one night only - Sunday 28 August - the Whyalla Left Hand Club will come to life, hosting visiting and local music acts as part of the Festival of Small Halls Winter Tour.

Australian musician Paul Kelly has written a song called Northern Rivers on his Rivers and Rain compilation album. While the song was written before the floods, its release is a poignant tribute to the Northern Rivers and a girl.

During Jumpers & Jazz, Glengallan is proving popular offering guided tours of one of the region’s finest historic homesteads and oldest sheep stations. Last Saturday saw a special treat with Jazz at the Homestead.

After taking a Covid-forced hiatus for the past two years, the Laidley Spring Festival is back for 2022, with a raft of new and exciting events set to make their Festival debut. The theme for the 2022 Laidley Spring Festival is ‘Swing into Spring’ and Lockyer Valley Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said Council, and the community, were excited to welcome the event back come September.

Showcasing the best of the Barkly’s creative talents and providing memorable and exciting experiences for all ages, the Barkly Regional Arts (BRA) 33rd Desert Harmony Festival is set to be as fun and engaging as ever ... BRA will light up for an evening of poetry, music, circus and dance featuring acts by Kasey Chambers, Olive Knight and many more artists.

Chris Oldfield. Six pipers, a drummer and dancer recently stirred spirits and awakened the old stone walls and wooden floors of the Naracoorte Hotel – and its patrons. With music almost loud enough to reach the old cemetery, where our Scottish settlers rest, some talented pipers and a drummer had also travelled from Mount Gambier for a Toast to the Tartan.

Joan de Bondt. Percy Grainger was a composer and pianist born in 1882 whose legacy is generally associated with his piano arrangement of the folk dance tune ‘Country Gardens’ ... Percy Grainger was a cousin to Bruce’s great grandfather. A wedding photo of Bruce’s grandfather, Stewart Hamilton Grainger, is attached to a photo of Percy at about the same age and the resemblance is unmistakable.

The Midnight Rangers, a five piece group of ragtag misfits finally living the dream of playing their own take on country music in the utopia town of Tennant Creek for one night only at the Memo next Wednesdsay, before crawling up the Stuart highway to perform at the Darwin Fringe Festival ... The band formed with the sole purpose of bringing their own take of country music to a new audience.

Geoff Helisma. Everyone loves a success story, especially if it’s someone they’ve known or with whom they’ve brushed elbows - the Lower Clarence’s Ry X, who is on the cover of the June 17 French Rolling Stone magazine, is one of those success stories and, potentially, he might soon become a global name on the lips of music lovers, as well as makers and shakers clamouring for a piece of the action.

Emma Pritchard. The local man lovingly referred to as “Swainy”, recently won the John P Toomey Song Writing Award at the Dusty Boots Music Festival in Narromine for Guitar Pick’n Man, an original song which tells the true story of his marriage break down, love of beer, especially Tooheys, and his passion for country music.

The world’s most remote music festival – the Birdsville Big Red Bash – is set to return in just over two weeks (July 5-7), drawing more than 9,000 festivalgoers to the remote red sands of Queensland’s Simpson Desert for an epic line-up of outback entertainment and live Australian music acts including Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers, Kate Ceberano, Shannon Noll and many more.

Serena Kirby. Festival of Voice organisers report good attendance for the start of this year’s extended program, traditionally held over three days of the WA Week weekend. This year’s program is spread across the month’s four weekends.