Music has always been the great connector. It s an antidote to the sense of alienation and loneliness many feel in society in general, and that in 2020 grew even deeper as we were asked to actively practise social distancing and isolation.
In a year like no other, country music a genre whose roots derive from themes of home, landscape, hardship and resilience has soared 15 per cent in streaming time, according to MRC Data/Nielsen Music, with almost all other styles of music losing streaming listenership.
Perhaps a collective craving for the regular ol times explains why country music, replete with visions of land, relationships, heartache and courage, has thrived during our months-long, mandatory stay indoors.
By: Christie Eliezer
Under The Southern Stars Marks First International Touring
Andrew McManus of Under The Southern StarsThe 11-date Under the Southern Stars tour from late April will become the first in 2021 with international names. Approval was granted after promoter One World Entertainment’s proposal of stringent COVID-safe procedures was green-lighted by the Border Force Commissioner following feedback from state governments, health officials and police departments.
“Promoters have had to learn new tools and skills, quickly and on the run, and make sure that we dot the I’s with so many departments,” One World director Andrew McManus told Pollstar. “It’s a completely new world.”
On the road again: Fanny Lumsden gears up for Fallow tour
We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
Dismiss
Normal text size
Advertisement We just had to use what we had, says Fanny Lumsden about the home-grown techniques that gave life to her acclaimed third album
Fallow.
Credit: It made for a really creative, amazing process she says, referring to the old stone hut where the album was recorded. Ten months after
Fallow was released, Lumsden accepted an ARIA award (best country album) in the gorgeous garden of her Tooma home, a six-hour drive from the bright lights of Sydney.
The January 29 date has been a long time coming for the singer-songwriter after a whirlwind 2020 brought unexpected hurdles in the form of COVID-19 and raging bushfires in her home town of Tooma, near the Snowy Mountains in NSW. Singer Fanny Lumsden pictured in the Murray River at Tooma on Wednesday afternoon, December 30, 2020. Picture: Dan Stanley Freeman
Despite previously playing the iconic Gympie Muster and various other local shows, the Majestic Theatre gig will be Fanny’s first opportunity to showcase her touring band locally.
“It’s such a beautiful part of the world, I really love the atmosphere and there’s so much to do and see,” she said.
Premium Content
Subscriber only Bundaberg is full of positive news and that is something to celebrate, which is why we are bringing you a weekly dose of good news stories from around the region. Here are just some of the things that happened recently that made us smile.
• Plenty of room in market for locally grown gourmet mushies Gourmet mushrooms have become a hit in Bundaberg and the surrounds, with a local grower turning a hobby into a new business venture. Mum-of-three Chantelle Johnson first started Gin Gin Mushrooms when her husband encouraged her to supply her locally grown products to the public.