Australia’s most iconic ‘voice’ in John Farnham has been announced to headline the music program at the Heritage Bank Festival of Food & Wine in Queens Park over the opening weekend of the 70th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers! The stunning announcement comes two weeks after the 70th anniversary program was unveiled featuring a history-making 77 events!
In a country of 22 million people, John Farnham is the one Australian artist who stages arena-sized concerts whenever he tours to satisfy the demand. He is, without challenge, Australia’s most successful solo artist, on-stage and on record; his Whispering Jack album was the first album to sell over a million copies in Australia alone, and on Sunday September 22 he will close the opening weekend of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in what will be an epic music event.
Peter Lock, CEO of Heritage Bank said the news didn’t stop at John Farnham!
“The music line-up at The Heritage Bank Festival of Food & Wine this year is nothing short of spectacular.”“John Farnham is the biggest name we have ever welcomed to the Festival, and we cannot wait to see and hear him play under the lights at Queens Park on Sunday, September 22, to what will be a capacity crowd.”
“The weekend features a program of talented music-makers, with new and emerging bands on the Friday night, epic sound creators on Saturday playing some of the biggest songs in history, and then a Sunday led by the man himself, John Farnham.”
The Heritage Bank Festival of Food & Wine opens on Friday September 20 with the all-female, four-piece ensemble Pink Matter laying down a cool neo-soul and urban sound, before Sydney-based performer Sloan Peterson takes over with her modern garage rocks-meets-50s guitar pop. Closing the night is Middle Kids, an indie rock band from Sydney, led by lead singer/guitarist Hannah Joy and her husband, Tim Fitz.
On Saturday the program opens with famed funk, hip hop, blues, soul and dance music makers Electrik Lemonade (who were in contention to represent Australia at Eurovision 2019!), before powerhouse tribute band Queen Forever takes over, followed by internationally acclaimed ABBA tribute group Bjorn Again closes. This will be a night of epic anthems!
On Sunday the program opens with Brisbane brass fuelled funk festival band Cheap Fakes, before iconic Australian band Dragon takes to the stage. To close the opening weekend, the man himself John Farnham will perform in front of an expected capacity crowd.
The Heritage Bank Festival of Food & Wine also features over 50 produce and wine stalls celebrating flavours straight from the bountiful paddocks, orchards and vineyards of Southern Queensland Country region, cooking demonstrations by acclaimed Australian chef Adrian Richardson (La Luna, Good Chef Bad Chef), garden design talks by Dave Franklin of The Block fame as well as beer and BBQ master classes and incredible floral installations, led by the reigning Interflora World Cup champion, Brisbane-based Bart Hassam.
Over 10 glorious days from September 20 to 29, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers will shine as Australia’s most beautiful event. Over 1,100 hectares of public parks and private gardens will be on display this year shining with over 180,000 bulbs and seedlings in full bloom. Gardeners across the city have been planning and planting over the past month to ensure everything blooms in a perfectly timed carpet of colour for the expected 250,000 locals and visitors who celebrate the event.
Toowoomba Region’s Cr Geoff Mc Donald said, “What makes Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers so special is that there is so much to experience – if you love emerging music, we have that. If you are a gardener, we have plenty! If you are a foodie, then prepare for flavour overload. If you love a low and slow BBQ with a beer to match, that’s easy! If you are here for gardening tips and tricks, then take a seat. If wine is your thing, then choose a colour! If you want to learn the history of our classic pubs, take in a steam train ride, experience a Tombstone Tour, be wowed by an amazing teapot exhibition or be surrounded by hanging flower baskets, then we also have all that!”
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers information
September 20 to 29, 2019
Program detail at www.tcof.com.au or on www.facebook.com.au/CarnivalFlowers
Tour detail at https://carnivalofflowers.com.au/touroperators/
Accommodation detail at https://carnivalofflowers.com.au/accommodation/
To all our media friends, please direct all enquiries to our PR agency Kath Rose & Associates on 07 3357 9054 or email kath@kathrose.com
About the Music Makers
Friday Night
Pink Matter
After its members met through university, Pink Matter was born in late 2016, and ever since, the neo-soul 4-piece has captivated the Brisbane music scene. Within their first year, the all-female group won the QUBE Effect ‘People’s Choice Award’, played Jungle Love Festival and released their debut single Quicksand, which would later earn them airplay on 4ZZZ, Triple J Unearthed radio and Triple J. The group has become a staple in their local scene, appearing in Bugs’ 2018 ‘Glue’ music video, playing events such as Mountain Goat Valley Crawl (2018) and earning support slots for sold out shows from The Creases and Bugs (2018). Their music is a modern, twisted take on the neo-soul/urban genre with notable hints of Hiatus Kaiyote, Koi Child and The Internet. Described as, “sonic heaven” by Purple Sneakers (2017) and “forward thinking” by Futuremag (2018), the group has forged a signature for themselves through their music and personality. Pink Matter’s debut 5 track EP recorded at Bedlam Studios, mixed by Grammy-nominated engineer/producer Nick Herrera was released in 2018.
Website: https://www.pinkmatterband.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinkmatterband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkmatterband/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGtAP0f7I70
Sloan Peterson
From the likes of The Beatles and The Kinks, right through to the modern rock jangles of The Kooks and The Strokes, Sloan Peterson has embraced warm and swirling guitars, and retrospective vocals as a staple on the new record. To the same merit, contemporary pop queens Lana Del Rey and Gwen Stefani lend influence in the form of Sloan Peterson’s sultry and sweet tones. Sloan Peterson works quickly, with much of the music from the record coming together within the space of a mere hour.
Website: http://www.sloanpeterson.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sloanpetersonmusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sloanpeterson/?hl=en
Middle Kids
Australian trio Middle Kids released their debut, self-titled EP via Domino on February 17 in 2016, just days after making their live television debut playing rapidly-rising single “Edge Of Town” on Conan. The band’s anthemic sound is a combination of hooky tune craft, ripping Music Row-inspired slide guitar leads, and soaring melodic vocals. Since “Edge of Town’s” original release, the song has accrued a staggering 5 million plays on Spotify – a bonafide streaming hit. The song currently sits at the top of the Sirius XMU chart, and has been championed by non-comm and commercial radio stations. Led by singer-songwriter-guitarist Hannah Joy, with Tim Fitz (producer and multi-instrumentalist), and Harry Day (drums) rounding out the team, Middle Kids combine echoes of the infamous female-fronted indie rock bands of the 90s and early 2000s, like Sleater-Kinney, The Breeders, and Belly, with thoroughly modern production and a deep love and respect of the songwriting process, making them a rare species in today’s music landscape.
Website: https://www.middlekidsmusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/middlekidsmusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/middlekidsmusic/?hl=en
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIfMc4g3CH5aDyXsTBzqVSw
Saturday Night
Electrik Lemonade
Electrik Lemonade is a merry band of funklords that play a repertoire of funk, hip hop, blues, soul and dance music that could only be fathered by the likes of Captain Planet. Each member brings their own slice of Earth, Fire, Wind, Water and Lovin’ in the live show, culminating in a whirlwind of explosive energy that comes with a tidal warning as the crowd uncontrollably bursts into a wave of dance and good vibes. Since their debut in December 2010, Electrik Lemonade’s live performances have rapidly grown as they play to crowds at premiere live music venues & festivals up and down the East Coast. Drawing on a unique blend of influences while combining their comedic, fun attitude toward life they present an energetic, visual music show – after which, the crowd is never left with anything but a funky uplifted feeling.
Website: https://electriklemonade.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElectrikLemonade/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/felon182/featured
Queen Forever
QUEEN FOREVER was established in Melbourne in 2006 by the band’s ‘Freddie Mercury’ , Gareth Hill, and since then has been selling out concert venues all over Australia and overseas to critical acclaim. The band’s stage show is the ultimate Queen experience. You’ll be in awe of Freddie’s iconic moves, authentic costumes and superb musicianship, including Queen’s signature harmonies which will blow you away. You’ll feel like you’re attending a 1980s Queen concert at Wembley! You’ll hear all the hits like Another One Bites The Dust, Don’t Stop Me Now, It’s A Kinda Magic, We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Fat Bottomed Girls, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Somebody to Love, Bohemian Rhapsody.
Website: https://www.queenforever.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queenforeverofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaustralianqueentribute/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbxRoF-okOE&t=5s
Bjorn Again
ABBA fans, it’s time to get excited as Bjorn Again, the internationally acclaimed ABBA-endorsed ABBA show, are celebrating their 30th Anniversary. The key to Bjorn Again’s success is in not just delivering ABBA’s biggest hits to perfection in a lavish production but incorporating a healthy dose of parody and stage theatrics. So, beware of ‘Swenglish’ accents, flares and platform shoes, glitzy sequinned outfits, mountains of blue eye-shadow and all those daggy dance routines. This critically-acclaimed, world-class show generates an audience atmosphere that has to be seen to be believed.
Website: http://www.bjornagain.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BjornAgainAustralia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjornagainaustralia/
Sunday Night
Cheap Fakes
Cheap Fakes. Brisbane’s 6 headed, genre-defying beast are Australia’s best blend of massive soul-soaked, brass-fuelled pop, funk, and ska. Cheap Fakes continue to bring their unique and energetic music to masses of listeners and live audiences worldwide. Born in 2009, Cheap Fakes have since sculpted an ever-growing fan base from their extensive touring and ever-evolving discography. Cheap Fakes have pushed out and taken chances on all three of their major releases: 2010’s Stone’s & Sticks, 2013’s Hand Me Downs and 2015’s Modern Vintage.
Website: http://www.cheapfakes.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheapfakes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheapfakes/
Dragon
It’s hard to turn on the radio each day without hearing one of Dragon’s iconic chart-topping songs, ‘Are You Old Enough’, ‘Still In Love With You’, ‘April Sun in Cuba’ and ‘Young Years’. Dragon has been touring and pumping out hits since the mid 70’s. A few faces may have changed in the band over the years, but the sounds are true and strong. Each song chorus is seared like an iconic photo into the unconscious of a generation.
Website: https://www.dragononline.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dragonmusic/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/dragonnzozmusic
John Farnham
In a country of 22 million people, John Farnham is the one Australian artist who stages arena-sized concerts whenever he tours to satisfy the demand. He is, without challenge, Australia’s most successful solo artist, on-stage and on record. His Whispering Jack album was the first album to sell over a million copies in Australia alone. In September 1967 at the age of 18, he was signed to a recording contract and in December of that year released the novelty single “Sadie the Cleaning Lady,” which became the biggest-selling single in Australia at that time. As a song, the record’s success almost defies logic. In 1980, changing from “Johnny” to the more mature John Farnham, he set about resurrecting his career. The trigger was a dramatically rearranged, impassioned performance of the Beatles’ “Help” on a nationally broadcast Royal Command TV concert. The anthemic single “You’re the Voice restored Farnham to number one for the first time in 17 years. The carefully crafted adult contemporary October 1986 album Whispering Jack was number one 18 weeks and became the biggest-selling album in Australian history. “You’re the Voice” sold a million copies in Europe and reached the Top Ten in England.
Website: https://www.johnfarnham.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnfarnham/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JohnFarnhamVEVO