Australiana folk band John Flanagan Trio has given theMusic a sneak peak behind the scenes as they head on the road to some pretty remote places in regional Australia. With shows still to come in Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney — check out theGuide for all the details and break out the whisky.
Mildura
Our first show on the road, after a big Melbourne hometown launch, was a last minute house concert gig in Mildura. We needed a stop over so I phoned a friend and we ended up with a lovely backyard show around four outdoor fires. The playing continued after the show, jamming with a local bluegrass band.
Renmark
One of the joys of going off the beaten track, is getting to see the weird and wonderful things in small town Australia. Like this quirky riverboat blasting country and western out in Renmark, SA.
Neales Flat
Our host Mike Roberts has turned this ancient Clydesdale barn into a beautiful music venue. We were treated to the finest whisky, local food and wine, before putting on a show to a room packed out with local music lovers. They’ve started something really special here and I hope they get good support into the future.
Pic by Barrie Hocking
Beechworth
Our good friend Sal Kimber helped organise a show for us at the Beechworth Town Hall. We stayed in Wangaratta that night where the morning coffee run was a walk along the river past the local fairy tree.
Seymour
Our hosts Nick and Cynthia run a blueberry farm, Airbnb and café on their beautiful property among the rolling hills of Seymour. Minutes after arriving we witnessed a mob of literally over 100 kangaroos flowing across the hillside.
Yinnar
The Strzlecki Stringbusters have world-class international country and bluegrass bands knocking on their door. The group of 20-30 local banjo, mandolin, guitar pickers and hollerer's have got such a great thing going at their local pub where they play once a month to a sold out crowd and invite a guest band to headline.
Castlemaine
I got to join forces with good friend Cat Canteri, also launching a new album, for this show at The Bridge Hotel in Castlemaine. Two songwriters who love singing about Melbourne’s Inner North converged on the town affectionately called ‘North Northcote’ and it was a match made in heaven.
