COUNTRY music heavyweight Keith Urban has shocked fans with an intimate show in Tamworth.
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Fans raced out to grab tickets just after the announcement on Tuesday morning and within minutes the surprise performance had sold out.
The 1990 Star Maker winner, Urban credits the country music capital with his meteoric rise to fame, and festival organiser Barry Harley couldn’t be more thrilled to have him back.
“I think one of the reasons why Keith’s production and tour crew have pushed for this intimate concert in the town hall is because that’s where Keith started,” Mr Harley said.
“He has a lot of history here, as an eight-year-old he won the CCMA Talent Quest as the best all round under 10, and went on to win many more.
“As the large business of Keith Urban established the Graffiti U World Tour, the penny has dropped that he was in Australia and wasn’t at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.”
There were around 1000 tickets on offer for just 20 bucks each, with all proceeds from the intimate concert going to Rural Aid for drought relief.
Sandra Collins, Lea Lobban and Estelle Soper were first in line at The Capitol Theatre Tamworth for tickets.
Not only was Mrs Lobban prepared for the doors to swing open, she had her husband at home trying to buy online tickets.
“I only live around the corner so I thought I would come down and try to buy some, we’re just grateful he’s coming to Tamworth and supporting farmers,” she said.
The news comes after the Hay Mate Buy A Bale Concert was held in Tamworth in October, with huge names like John Farnham, Guy Sebastion and Daryl Braithwaite raising millions for farmers and hay from that concert was distributed on Tuesday.
It’s often country artists who pitch in during tough times, Tamworth Regional Council community and business director John Sommerlad said.
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“I think it relates to the heritage, if you look at the country music genre and what those singers sing about – there’s no closer connection to the land than what they talk about,” he said.
“It’s Australia’s living history – it’s the poetry of the land and that’s why they’re the first to line up when things are tough.”
Urban will play Tamworth Town Hall on January 22 at the 2019 Toyota Country Music Festival.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
