AUSTRALIAN singing legend Wendy Matthews is performing in Airlie Beach next month.
Seven-time ARIA Award winner Wendy Matthews is joining the lineup at the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival, brought to the region by the Whitsundays Arts Festival (WAF).
Now in its third year, the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival (October 10-15) comprises a professional Songwriter Residential Retreat, a one-day workshop for emerging songwriters, and ‘A Concert & Conversation’, an evening performance by Wendy Matthews and the professional faculty at Whitsunday Sailing Club, Airlie Beach.
“The Whitsundays Arts Festival is thrilled to announce that Wendy Matthews will visit Airlie Beach for the third annual Whitsundays Songwriter Festival,” WAF president Jess Begun said.
“With a career spanning four decades, across multiple continents, as well as platinum selling albums, audiences and aspiring artists in the Whitsundays will have the chance to experience her music live-in-concert and hear about her personal insights and creative process, in a concert event and songwriter workshop.”
Wendy Matthews’ many hits include ‘I Don’t Wanna Be with Nobody But You,’ ‘Let’s Kiss,’ ‘Woman’s Gotta Have It,’ ‘Standing Strong,’ ‘If Only I Could,’ and ‘The Day You Went Away.’
She will join professional Australian songwriters, of diverse music genres, who have also been invited to attend the 2024 Whitsundays Songwriters Festival and Residency, as part of the mentorship program.
Over four days, the faculty will co-write songs, network, and share their personal experiences in the music industry.
This year, joining Wendy Matthews, is Queensland Music Award winner and viral star Jude York, AGT, Eurovision and The Voice sensation Johnny Manuel, APRA Award winner Mark Sholtez, Los Angeles Music Award winner Francesca de Valence, and AIR Award nominated songwriter and Whitsundays local Karen Jacobsen.
Karen Jacobsen – international performer, recording artist and songwriter, and the original Australian voice of Siri – co-founded the Songwriter Festival with Francesca de Valence, as part of their commitment to promote the art of songwriting in Australia.
“We were energised by the feedback from our last festival, with memories of Toni Childs wowing the audience at our Concert & Conversation event, and we are over the moon to be able to continue this life-changing arts program in regional North Queensland, and to fulfil our mission to develop the next generation of songwriters,” Ms Jacobsen said.
Emerging songwriters will experience a full-day workshop learning about song craft, writing songs, and being mentored by professional songwriters, on Saturday, October 12, at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.
Tourism Whitsundays Interim CEO Aimee Cameron said the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival continued to amplify local music, nurturing creativity and showcasing incredible talent.
“Our region’s commitment to fostering songwriting not only enriches our cultural landscape but also draws attention to the Whitsundays as a vibrant hub for artists and music lovers,” she said.
“We are thrilled to see the festival grow and inspire, bringing fresh voices and new sounds that echo across our beautiful shores.”
The Whitsundays Songwriter Festival is presented in partnership with I Heart Songwriting Club and made possible through the support of Whitsunday Regional Council, through the Regional Arts Development Fund, Aussie Mackay, Elementa Whitsundays, Airlie Beach Music Centre, Whitsunday Sailing Club, and Whitsundays Arts Festival.
