Tina Arena Lights up the Desert at Birdsville Bash
SERENADES AND STARRY SKIES:
TINA ARENA LIGHTS UP THE DESERT AT BIRDSVILLE BASH
[Photo credit: Matt Williams]
Images and videos of Big Red Bash are available here.
The sun dipped behind the iconic Big Red sand dune today as the second day of the Birdsville Big Red Bash came to a spectacular close. Thousands of festival-goers were treated to a full day of unforgettable performances and activities, culminating in a show-stopping headline act by the legendary Tina Arena in her first ever Outback performance.
As the sun set across the desert, Arena’s set included a mix of music from her new album ‘Love Saves’ and timeless favourites like “Chains,” “Sorrento Moon” – which was performed as the moon appeared in the painted skies, and “Heaven Help My Heart.” Each song drawing the crowd deeper in. One of the highlights of her set came when she performed a heartfelt rendition of “Burn” ad libbing “Burn, burn for me Birdsville. Like a candle in the night.”
Speaking to the enthralled crowd Tina Arena later said of her first Bash performance, “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here. I’ve heard so much about it. It’s an extraordinary experience and it restores faith. Everyone has to get their arses to the Big Red Bash.”
Earlier on festival goers were serenaded by a memorable show from iconic antipodean singer-songwriter, Tim Finn. Finn delivered tunes from his back catalogue across Split Enz, Crowded House as well as his solo career, from “Six Months in a Leaky Boat” to “Fraction Too Much Friction” to “Weather with You” and “Staring at the Embers”.
Fourteen year old emerging country artist, Amy Ryan, kicked off the day’s music. The Festival’s youngest ever performer has a special connection to the Queensland Outback as her song “Diamantina Dreaming” was written, originally as a poem by her father, about the remote region, with part of the song’s film clip filmed on Big Red itself.
Other acts who hit the mainstage today were Steve Balbi, Mark Seymour, Rolling Stones Revue and Bjorn Again, showcasing the depth of talent in Australian music.
It wasn’t just about the music, as punters explored the wide-ranging program of outback-inspired activities from morning yoga, sand dune tobogganing, desert flower or dunny door painting, comedy and outdoor film screenings, scenic helicopter flights and 4WD desert expeditions, camel rides and charity initiatives like The Bashville Drags Race – raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
From cheerleaders, to Baywatch lifeguards, golden frill-neck lizards and a gaggle of Dame Ednas, the Bashville Drag fashions in the desert competition was steep to name this year’s “Queen of the Desert”.
The third and final day of the Big Red Bash is tomorrow with much awaited performances from headliner, Jon Stevens, Ian Moss, Vanessa Amorosi, Sarah McLeod, Ash Grunwald, Chocolate Starfish, Hayley Mary, Fanny Lumsden and Tina Turner Tribute.
Running from July 2-4, 2024, the Birdsville Big Red Bash is an all-ages, dog-friendly camping event that offers up a uniquely Australian adventure for families, grey nomads, camping and caravanning enthusiasts and intrepid travellers.
Headlining the Birdsville Big Red Bash are Oz legends, Tina Arena and Jon Stevens joined by an epic lineup of over 30 artists including Ian Moss, Colin Hay, Tim Finn, Diesel, Baby Animals, Vanessa Amorosi, Mark Seymour, Casey Barnes, Shane Howard, Pierce Brothers, Bjorn Again, Mi-Sex, Chocolate Starfish – Bat Out of Hell, The Rolling Stones Revue starring Phil Jamison, Tex Perkins and Tim Rogers, Furnace & the Fundamentals, Ash Grunwald, Fanny Lumdsen, Sarah McLeod, Hayley Mary, Steve Balbi and Amy Ryan.
In addition to the incredible line-up on-stage, the event features a wide-ranging program of outback activities – from the Nutbush City Limits World Record dance off attempt to morning yoga, dunny door painting, comedy and outdoor film screenings, scenic helicopter flights, camel rides and charity initiatives like The Bashville Drags Race – raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
What: 2024 Birdsville Big Red Bash
Where: Big Red sand dune, 35 km West of Birdsville
When: 2-4 July 2024
More info: www.bigredbash.com.au
About the Big Red Bash
The Birdsville Big Red Bash is Australia’s most remote music festival, located at the towering Big Red sand dune, 35 km west of Birdsville. The festival features a stellar lineup of artists, captivating performances, and a range of unique outback activities. From families with young children to grey nomads, the event caters to all ages and is known for its vibrant atmosphere and unforgettable experiences. For more information, visit www.bigredbash.com.au.