MusicNSW is pleased to announce the 14 artists selected for five tours in regional NSW.
14 artists from across regional NSW were selected to participate in the touring opportunity, which includes professional development as well as performance opportunities at venues and festivals from Wilcannia to Eltham.
- Baeden Faint (Cobar)
- Bella Frankie (Evans Head)
- Chelsy Atkins (Wallagoot)
- Elle Flanagan (Dubbo)
- Felicity Dowd (Bega)
- Isaac Staines (Wagga Wagga)
- Joey Leigh Wagtail (South West Rocks)
- Kirsty Larkin (Manilla)
- Liquid Culture (Bathurst)
- Megan Woods (Orange)
- Ollie Twohill (Murwillumbah)
- Richard Luland (Nowra)
- Ron Callaghan (Moruya)
- Zara Lindeman (Deniliquin)
MusicNSW Regional Manager Ali Buckley said:
“It’s fantastic to have such an incredible collection of artists from across regional NSW join these tours, now in their second year. The five tours support the activation of new tour routes and industry collaboration through partnerships with Dashville Skyline, Giiyong, and Black Gully festivals and promoters MSR Entertainment and Bush Witch Productions, offering artists the opportunity to build new audiences, develop industry relationships and hone their touring skills with support from our team. It’s great to see tours happening this year across the Outback, and across the North West and the Northern Rivers, plus new venues being included in the South Coast, South West and Upper Hunter regions”
Original artists based in regional NSW were invited to apply for the regional touring opportunity, which is in its second year and led by MusicNSW’s Regional team. Supported by Create NSW, MusicNSW is working across the state to increase contemporary music touring, expand artists and industry networks, and build on existing industry knowledge in regional NSW.
Check out the tour details below and get along to a show in your area. Unless otherwise noted, all shows are free entry.
GOLDEN HIGHWAY TOUR
Joey Leigh Wagtail + Felicity Dowd
- 4 Oct: Crossroads Bar, Dubbo (Wiradjuri) (tickets)
- 5 Oct: Royal Hotel, Merriwa (Wiradjuri)
- 6 Oct: Dashville Skyline Festival, Lower Belford (Wonnarua) (tickets)
Joey Leigh Wagtail is a Dunghutti man from Kempsey and a recent recipient of the Create NSW Generations Fellowship as well as a showcasing artist at BIGSOUND (2023). His band features his little brother Nathan Douglas and friend Brad Collins.
Felicity Dowd stands at the forefront of Australia's folk and country music scene. As the Australian Youth Artist of the Year at the Australian Folk Music Awards (2023) and a finalist at Toyota Starmaker (2024), her talent has garnered acclaim from industry and fans alike.
THE OUTBACK TOUR
Liquid Culture + Baeden Faint + Megan Woods
- 10 Oct: Cobar Bowling and Golf Club (Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan)
- 11 Oct: Wilcannia Golf Club (Barkindji)
- 12 Oct: The Palace Hotel, Broken Hill (Wilyakali)
Liquid Culture is a cocktail blend of psychedelic grooves, alternate riffs, and distinctive melodies. Drawing inspiration from iconic bands such as Pink Floyd and Red Hot Chili Peppers, the band earned a top 10 spot in the state-wide Headspace band competition.
Country troubadour Baeden Faint’s debut track Hometown Fantasy was produced by Garth Porter (Lee Kernaghan, Tom Curtain), added to Apple Music’s ‘Back Porch Country’ and ‘Aussie Country’ editorial playlists and reached #18 on the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay charts.
Megan Woods joins this tour hot off the back of her first international sold out show back in her home land of New Zealand, supporting Kingswood, Max Jackson, Raechel Whitchurch and Robbie Mortimer and playing at A Night In Nashville 2024.
RIVER TOUR
Elle Flanagan + Zara Lindeman + Isaac Staines
- 1 Nov: The Curious Rabbit, Wagga Wagga (Wiradjuri)
- 2 Nov: Storyteller - The Baron's Tasting House, Deniliquin (Wamba Wamba and Perrepa Perrepa)
- 3 Nov: Beer Deluxe, Albury (Wiradjuri)
Elle Flanagan is a songwriter influenced by some of Australia’s most loved artists like Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins and Vance Joy. Elle has released her first single, is working on her debut album and has supported artists such as Ash Grunwald, Thirsty Merc and Killing Heidi.
Zara Lindeman’s early releases have hit the #1 on the iTunes Country Charts, #3 on the AIR 100% Independent Single Chart and #2 on the Amrap Regional Chart. She has performed at Deniliquin Ute Muster and Tamworth Country Music Festival, amongst others.
Since 2023, Isaac Staines has released an EP and album and built a dedicated fan base through live shows, including supporting Shannon Noll. His ability to connect listeners to his songs and performance is what drives him to keep writing and performing.
YUIN NATION SOUTH COAST TOUR
Ron Callaghan + Chelsy Atkins + Richard Luland
- 7 Nov: Oyster Cove, Batemans Bay (Walbunja)
- 8 Nov: Crooked River Estate, Gerringong (Tharawal)
- 9 Nov: Giiyong Festival* (Thaua) (tickets)
*Ron Callaghan only
Where country, rhythm & blues, rock and pop collide, you will find Ron ‘Callo’ Callaghan (prev. Mixed Relations, Taura). A proud Walbunja & Dhungutti man from the Yuin Nation, he has been entertaining audiences across Australia for decades with his heartfelt songs and positive spirit.
Chelsy Atkins is a Yamaji Widi woman who grew up near Tamworth with her family, including her father and first inspiration - acclaimed didgeridoo virtuoso Mark Atkins - who has influenced Chelsy’s unique sound of Indigenous folk rockin’ pop.
Born in Nowra with strong family ties to the Yuin Nation through his mother's people, Richard Luland's rock n roll and blues music is a way to express how he feels, and also what has influenced him as a Koori man.
THE WINDING NORTH TOUR
Bella Frankie, Kirsty Larkin + Ollie Twohill
- 19 Oct: Howl & Moan Records, Byron Bay (Bundjalung)
- 20 Oct: Eltham Hotel (Bundjalung)
- 9 Nov: Black Gully Music Festival, Armidale (Anaiwan)
Bella Frankie is ARIA Award-winning artist Michael Turner, theatremaker Ajita Cannings, cellist Natasha Kraemer (Australian Haydn Ensemble) and harmonica player Steve Gilbert (Shane Howard Band). They share stories of love, flood, community and their two black dogs.
“All-in kinda mama” Kirsty Larkin brings a playful mix of soul, dark-Americana, and a touch of whimsy that draws listeners into her world of unexpected charm and raw emotion. She has collaborated with Gareth Hudson (Hazy Cosmic Jive) and Bill Chambers, amongst many others.
Playing songs ranging hope, love, loss and trauma, Ollie Twohill influences are Australian folk, 2000s pop punk, and the groundswell of talent around Northern NSW. He has self-released nine singles to date and shared the stage with artists such as Budjerah and The Buckleys.
Lead image: Liquid Culture
