John Farnham makes surprise appearance at You’re The Voice choral event

John Farnham received a resounding welcome cheer when he made a surprise appearance last Saturday evening to join over 4500 voices at the epic choral sing-along of his signature tune ’You’re The Voice’ in Brisbane.

The You’re The Voice concert at South Bank Piazza, among the final events of the Queensland Music Festival, was to sing for change about domestic and family violence.

After solo spots during the free concert from QMF Artistic Director Katie Noonan, Kate Ceberano, and Eurovision finalist Isaiah Firebrace, Farnham joined the three as well as a 2500-strong choir led by Dr Jonathon Welch AM.

Performers and audience wore yellow scarves in support of the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation, set up to help eliminate domestic violence in Queensland.

Farnham and manager Glenn Wheatley said they were honoured to be part of the QMF initiative, saying, “We are proud to have ’You’re The Voice’ associated with such fine talent and such a worthy cause.”

Noonan came up with the idea to highlight music’s role to educate, inspire and change the world and tie it with a family violence campaign.

“I’m so proud of the positive response from the Australian community and music industry in rallying together to support Queensland Music Festival’s You’re The Voice initiative,” she said.

“It is an honour to have John Farnham raise his voice alongside thousands from across the country to sing for change.

You’re The Voice is a testament to the power of music being able to make a difference.”

Figures from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety report from 2012 found that one in four women have experienced at least one incident of violence by a partner.

Thousands of voices united in singing “We’re not gonna sit in silence/ We’re not gonna live with fear” seems an appropriate way to bring about change to domestic and family violence.

Former Governor-General Quentin Bryce, AD CVO, Chair of the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland, was Patron of the event.

She said You’re The Voice would “send a powerful message of unity and solidarity with those members of our community who need our voice.”

Queensland Premier and Minister for the Arts Annastacia Palaszczuk applauded QMF, saying, “I thank all involved in this initiative, and this incredible finale, for making a difference, and for not sitting in silence.

“I continue to urge all Queenslanders to use your voice to speak out against domestic and family violence – it has no place in our community.”

More than 5,000 people, including 135 choirs from Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia were involved, either by singing at the Brisbane event, holding a local event, or joining the sea of voices via livestream on the QMF site and Facebook page.

Some in the choirs had been victims of domestic violence themselves.

Interestingly, having the song sung in unison was exactly the way its lyricist Keith Reid (the English poet who wrote a number of Procol Harum songs including their chart topper ’A Whiter Shade of Pale’) envisaged over 30 years ago.

The song was started by Chris Thompson of Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, English singer Maggie Ryder and one-time Icehouse bassist Andy Qunta.

When stuck with the words, Thompson called Reid, who came up with the title. Reid says, “It’s an anti-war song in a way, but it was more of a ’make your voice heard’ kind of thing. Wake up to your own power.”

Aside from Farnham’s 1986 rendition, a hit through Australia and Europe, there have been almost 20 cover versions.

These have included those by Thompson and Reid on respective solo albums, artists as Heart and Alan Parsons, and renditions in Greek, Italian and Argentinian.

In May, Noonan, Ceberano and Isiah were joined by Archie Roach, Troy Cassar-Daley and Montaigne to record a charity version of the song for The Sony Foundation to raise money for young victims of domestic violence.

All proceeds were donated to DVConnect who provide 24/7 crisis response in Queensland for those living with domestic or family violence.

For domestic and family violence support, call DVConnect: Womensline 1800 811 811, Mensline 1800 600 636.