QLD Music Festival: You’re The Voice against domestic violence, Go-Betweens tribute, and more

Here are just some of the remarkable events announced last night in Brisbane by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the launch of the Queensland Music Festival (July 7—30).

• A charity single and state-wide performances of John Farnham’s You’re The Voice to raise money for anti-domestic violence initiatives
• a tribute to The Go-Betweens’ 16 Lovers Lane
• Songs That Made Me, where Deborah Conway, Clare Bowditch and Hannah Macklin relay the songs that inspired them, while they discover and nurture female talent with concerts in Mackay, Mount Isa and Gladstone
• aNew Orleans street parade
• a musical called After Julia which looks at the reaction to Australia’s first female Prime Minister through the music of seven female composers
• afree 20-band 5-venue showcase of Nambour’s talents
• Dan Sultan conducting music workshops in indigenous communities
• and ensembles visiting nursing homes to play for residents.

“It’s a program that is community-driven, and it’s a long time effect because it feeds a legacy,” said Artistic Director Katie Noonan (pictured).

You’re The Voice brings together choirs, communities and schools for a mass rendition of the Farnham anthem to unite and turn the tide on domestic violence.

On Saturday July 29, there’ll be pop-up choirs throughout the day at South Bank Parklands. At 5 pm there’ll be performances by 2000 choralists, QMF Artistic Director Katie Noonan and others at the South Bank Piazza.

The QMF is also encouraging others to hold their own You’re The Voice events across the state, which it will publicise.

A version of the song has been recorded by Noonan, Kate Ceberano, Archie Roach, Troy Cassar-Daley, Isaiah Firebrace and Montaigne. It is issued through the Sony Foundation and all proceeds go to 24/7 crisis response domestic violence hotline DVConnect.

Last night also saw The Church’s Steve Kilbey and the Go-Betweens’ bassist John Willsteed play a song off the Go-Betweens’ sixth album 16 Lovers Lane.

It was a preview of the July 14 event when, three of the band – Willsteed, Lindy Morrison and Amanda Brown – will be joined by a stellar lineup of Australian musicians to play the songs off the 30-year old album.

The full program is at .