‘WE ARE THE VOICE’ ANNOUNCES GUEST LINEUP FOR SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL JOHN FARNHAM SINGALONG
The Australian Book of Records today announces the full performer lineup for We Are The Voice, an unforgettable world record singalong event celebrating the music of John Farnham, set to take place at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Friday 13 March 2026.
Thousands of Farnham fans are expected to gather under the Melbourne skyline as the audience becomes the headline act, forming a colossal choir in an official attempt to set a world record for the largest singalong to John Farnham songs alongside some iconic guest vocalists, all while raising vital funds and awareness for Head and Neck Cancer Australia.
Leading the charge as Musical Director is the incomparable Chong Lim, performing alongside the legendary Farnham Band, who will reunite for this special occasion. Together, they will anchor a powerful night of music featuring some of Australia’s most dynamic performers.
Beloved entertainer Em Rusciano will host the evening, bringing her trademark wit, powerhouse vocals and unmistakable energy to the Bowl. Acclaimed choir master Jonathon Welch AM will prepare and conduct the audience as the ultimate mass choir, guiding thousands of voices through iconic anthems including You’re The Voice and other Farnham classics.
Adding to the spectacle, ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Jack Jones, rising country star Taylor Moss, dynamic vocalists Crackup Sister Iffy (Nerida Matthaei) and Rachel Bostock, and renowned hypnotist entertainer Mark Anthony will each bring their unique flair to what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. And to up the ante even further, Mark Anthony will be attempting a world record for hypnotising the most people at one time on stage at the Bowl!
“Chong has done a wonderful job producing this show,” beams Farnham. “From one of my favourite singers, Jack Jones to the touching voices that make up the Choir of Hard Knocks…I hope you all have a great night!”
Performing together for the first time since Fire Fight Australia in 2020, the Farnham Band are thrilled to reunite in honour of John and for a cause close to his heart. “This will be a powerful night of music, unity and celebration,” says Musical Director Chong Lim. “To stand on stage with the Farnham Band again and hear thousands of Australians singing these songs together will be something truly special.”
John Farnham, whose personal battle with oral cancer has helped shine a national spotlight on Head and Neck Cancer awareness, has expressed his gratitude for the event and its purpose.
Nadia Rosin, CEO of Head and Neck Cancer Australia, says the event is more than just a celebration of music.
“John Farnham has become an unexpected but incredibly powerful voice for Head and Neck Cancer awareness. By sharing his own diagnosis, he has helped educate Australians about a cancer that is often diagnosed too late. This event will not only celebrate John’s extraordinary musical legacy — it will help save lives through awareness and early detection.”
Tickets to this wholesome family friendly event are onsale now from https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2026/contemporary-music/we-are-the-voice.
FRI 13 MAR | WE ARE THE VOICE – JOHN FARNHAM WORLD RECORD SINGALONG | SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL | ALL AGES | TICKETS
BOY & BEAR SHARE LUMINOUS NEW SINGLE + VIDEO TRIPPING OVER TIME + ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM TRIPPING OVER TIME FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 12
Laden with dreamy haze and luminous pop, the brand new single and captivating music video Tripping Over Time out today from beloved indie alternative act Boy & Bear also unfurls alongside the announcement of the group’s upcoming sixth studio album of the same name, with the full-length and entirely independent record Tripping Over Time set for release on Friday December 12. Primed to be launched in unforgettable fashion this December when Boy & Bear take the stage for their biggest headline show to date at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on Saturday December 14 (selling fast!), fans can also witness some of this brand new Boy & Bear magic at shows in Boonah, Sandstone Point and Margaret River to close out 2025, and a performance also locked in at Tasmania’s premium summer day out Festivale in February 2026.
Announcing their monumental upcoming performance on the steps at the iconic Sydney Opera House Forecourt on December 14, joined by special guests Hollow Coves and Darcie Haven, some lucky fans will also be able to snag the ultimate Boy & Bear experience, with the band today announcing an exclusive competition that will see two winners score two return flights, one nights accommodation in Sydney, a meet and greet with the band, and a signed limited edition poster from the Sydney Opera House Forecourt performance. To enter, simply pre-order Tripping Over Time, either vinyl, CD or digital download, from the band’s Australian webstore https://www.boyandbear.com/, register for the competition – and you and a friend may be sharing time and space for this Boy & Bear milestone later this year.
Tickets for Boy & Bear’s Sydney Opera House Forecourt show are onsale now from https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/on-the-steps/boy-and-bear, with all other tickets available via https://www.boyandbear.com/.
An otherworldly conduit into a world of pop serenity, lush soundscapes and Boy & Bear’s vintage yet modern stylings that bathe you in warmth and relatability, Tripping Over Time finds Boy & Bear channelling their own spin on subtle nods to The Avalanches and Moby; “but I feel like there’s a sense of hypnosis in this song that potentially draws from sample-driven dance music,” shares vocalist and guitarist Dave Hosking of the new track’s underlying sonic terrain.
Working alongside renowned LA-based producer Justin Stanley (Prince, Beck, Leonard Cohen, Eric Clapton, Mark Ronson) to bring Tripping Over Time to life, Boy & Bear’s lustrous new outing also sonically reflects its ruminating yet positive lyricism threaded throughout, as Daveelaborates, “Tripping Over Time is a celebration of the new-found wisdoms of age. As much as it’s a trade-off sometimes, I feel more at peace with myself and my circumstances these days. The things that give me joy have shifted, I operate to a slower but more stable pace and there’s something profoundly pleasant about this.”
Accompanied by a brand new music video today, with the ARIA Award-winning Jeremy Koren (Grey Ghost), previous collaborator of Khalid, Hiatus Kaiyote, Ruel, Tones & I, Troy Sivan and more, acting as Visual Creative Director both for Boy & Bear’s latest clip and the broader album, Tripping Over Time relishes in the song’s nostalgic sonic aesthetics while also amplifying the nuances beating within for the single and overarching album, as Jeremy himself explains, “In a sea of inauthenticity we wanted to slap the face of the viewer with nostalgia via a montage of images on images using a variety of 80 – 90’s broadcast cameras and 8mm film and Hi-8. The classic John Brack painting ‘Collins St at 5pm’ was an influence, as was Rene Magritte’s depictions of suited men in hats. There’s something quite sad and unnerving about uniformity but it also allows the band to become an organism reflecting our collective gaze upon this crazy world. The loneliness of Jeffrey Smart’s visual compositions as well as the weirdness of David Byrne’s comments on society – all these things made their way into the visuals.
“The album is so multi layered that it felt necessary to distil it into a pure form, which became the suited men who walk thru these vast landscapes,” Jeremey continues. “We were of course led by the music and its deep influences… the syncopation and textures of Talking Heads or the quirky layering of Peter Gabrielle, the warm/world building synths of Sade or the bright/positive elation of the Beach Boys or Devo, all ofthese collective influences have somehow snuck their way into our representation on screen. These first 2 clips are the first 2 feet stepping into this world … it’s a journey broken into little pieces and we have plenty more to come…PS – Fuck AI.”
An album that spans themes of love, morality, longing, determination and self-reflection, Tripping Through Time marks album #6 for Boy & Bear, and a second entirely independent affair following on from their 2023 self-titled full-length. Opening with its title track, Tripping Over Time shimmers with gentle grooves and warmth before gliding into softly sharp terrain with one of the album’s lead singles Where Does Life Begin. Magnetically capturing compelling uncertainty with uplifting beats and soaring backdrops, Where Does Life Begin leads to previously-released single Vertigo; a jangly exploration into the awkwardness of life, time and change. Between haunting acoustic Bon Iver-esque contemplations (Ancestors), vibrant folk-hued silk that tugs at heartstrings while also soothing weary souls (Thunder), infectious hypnotism (Lost Control) and swooning love letters fit for even the coldest of hearts (Love Has Been Too Good To Me), Tripping Through Time also channels indie charm (Roses), sharp melancholia spliced with whimsy (Sleep Talking) and buoyant reflections on life and permeating acceptance (penultimate track All These Years). And closing out as though in a hazy, glowing dream, Tripping Through Time ends via Movie, perfectly balancing the album’s contrast between playful and deeper themes, with the overall album acting as a vivid snapshot of life in every facet. “I wanted to look at the passing of time through a variety of lenses,” shares Dave of Tripping Through Time. “Ultimately, I think the record has an optimistic feel to it. There’s challenge and confrontation but underneath it all, there’s a belief that everything for now is in its right place.”
“The record predominantly is about how time changes us,” adds Dave, “we grow up, our priorities shift, our lives move onto new chapters and with this comes new insights but also new challenges. It’s a balancing act of reflecting or even yearning for our youth whilst also embracing life as it inevitably moves forward. So, I think the record’s emotional core is really about finding peace in who we are and who we’ve become. It’s about self-growth.”
“The album is about embracing life as it is,” continues Dave. “The songs are played live with real human energy and emotion. While optimistic, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows; it’s honest and grounded. Each track carries a bit of tension but avoids a dark or heavy feeling. The album encourages stepping back to appreciate the beauty in the world. It’s a big celebration full of happiness, but with a bittersweet, “happy-sad” energy. The focus is on feeling things emotionally rather than intellectually and staying grounded while looking toward the future. Tripping Over Time is more experimental and “trippy,” designed as an escape from reality. The tracks create a journey that listeners want to revisit, evoking memories from past periods of life. It’s a form of escapism, reflecting the nature of life itself. The lyrics are poetic rather than literal, allowing listeners to interpret them in their own way and create personal stories. The record features floating sounds and playful experimentation, showing how working at your own pace can foster creativity.”
“It’s about the subtle lessons of life. You often don’t realize you’ve gone through something until you experience it. You’re always learning and stumbling forward, embracing the cyclic nature of life. There’s playfulness in all the crazy moments. The overall feeling is optimistic, nostalgic, and reflective.”
Renowned for balancing personal experiences with universal themes, armed with their beloved trademark blend of vintage pop, alternative elements and folk edges, Boy & Bear channel nostalgia into charming and captivating sonic journeys. Taking the world by storm in 2011 via their debut album Moonfire, Boy & Bear instantly won hearts and minds while also taking home five ARIA Award wins, also reaching double-Platinum status for their maiden record. Cementing their ever-burgeoning legacy with 2013’s Harlequin Dream, 2015’s Limit of Love, 2019’s Suck on Light and, most recently, 2023’s self-titled album, over the years Boy & Bear have garnered multiple #1 charting albums, top 10 debuts, seven ARIA Award nominations and five wins, over half a billion streams and ongoing performances in their wake as headliners, supporting the likes of Mumford & Sons, Chris Isaak and Crowded House, or charming audiences across the globe with their unforgettable performances.
Off the back of previously selling the most headline tickets of their career globally, Boy & Bear are closing out 2025 in spectacular fashion, withtheir biggest headline show to date locked in for December 14, performing on the steps at the iconic Sydney Opera House Forecourt with special guests Hollow Coves and Darcie Haven. A longtime dream in the making, revealed poignantly recently online with Boy & Bear members and brothers Tim Hart and Jon Hart detailing their connection to the Opera House and live music, the band will also appear at The Long Sunset in Boonah on Saturday November 1, perform alongside Rob Thomas at Sandstone Point Hotel on Saturday November 8, appear at Good Day Sunshine on November 29 and kick off 2026 with a performance at Launceston’s Festivale on February 1 next year. And amongst these upcoming new core Boy & Bear live memories, a sublime new chapter will officially arrive on December 14 when Tripping Over Time arrives into the world; a chapter that finds Boy & Bear simultaneously harnessing their signature sound while also tripping the light fantastic into brave new sonic worlds.
“We’re really proud of this record,” Dave concludes. “Maybe every band says that, but we feel like we’ve made something really exciting. From drum machines and synths, to banjos and sitars. I think we’ve played to our strengths on this record and doubled down on our true sound. That’s always the goal! To have a sound that feels unique and idiosyncratic and I think we’ve managed to do that this time round.”
Tripping Over Time single is out today.
Tripping Over Time album is set for release Friday December 12 pre-save here: http://boy-bear.ffm.to/trippingovertimealbum/
Tickets for Boy & Bear’s Sydney Opera House Forecourt show are onsale now from https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/on-the-steps/boy-and-bear, with all other tickets available via https://www.boyandbear.com/
PETE MURRAY SHARES NEW ALBUM ‘LONGING’ , WITH FOCUS TRACK ‘HIGHER’ – OUT NOW + LONGING SUMMER TOUR ANNOUNCED FOR DEC/JAN
Decades into his career but more captivating than ever, Australia’s nicest guy in music, Pete Murray arrives today armed with one of his most nourishing releases yet, his eighth studio record, and first independent full length album in almost two decades, Longing (out now). The album drops today, alongside album focus track Higher, and the announce of a 15 date Longing Summer tour set to hit coastal towns in December and January.
Kicking off at The Exchange in Newcastle on December 18, the tour will then move through regional NSW, QLD and VIC, before finishing up at Hotel Brunswick in Brunswick Heads (NSW) on February 13. Tickets go on sale at 9am AEDT today, Friday October 10 from www.petemurray.com.
“I played a summer tour last year and it was one of the most fun tours I have done,” says Pete. “Everyone is on holidays and in such a great mood that it makes it so much fun to play to them. I can’t wait to do another summer run, but this time I’ll have a bunch of fresh new songs from my new album ‘Longing’ to throw into the mix. See you in the summer!”
Hyped to be sharing his new album, Pete beams, “Longing this is a very special album to me. It’s my second ever independent album. My first one came out in 2001, The Game. This one is special, as it’s taken 10 years to put together. It’s made up of the best songs that I hadn’t quite finished over time, I’d just kept putting them into an unfinished folder until I had enough to make it an album. And I feel it’s a really strong album because it’s 10 years worth of work and that’s a life lived. So, for me, it’s very special and I hope you guys enjoy it.”
Via its title track, Longing opens with a hazy gleam, weaving oscillating textures and swooning warmth, before Amy kicks in next with all of her captivating beauty. From here, Longing transfixes with a journey through blues-soaked summery charm (Place Your Bets), stripped-back gems primed to tug at the heartstrings (Home To Me), effortlessly upbeat moments perfectly crafted for crowd singalongs (Higher) and powerful lyricism balanced alongside tranquil tones (I Am Fire). And from swaggering fare (Long Way To Go) through to affable odes that feel simultaneously nostalgic and fresh (Wouldn’t It Be Good), Longing also dazzles with tranquil toe-tappers (Heaven Calls) and a buoyant closing track (Shakes) that straddles relatability and hope, like a glimmering warm light waving you in from a storm and welcoming you home.
Serving as the album’s powerful focus track, Higher is Pete Murray’s rousing call to push past limits and chase greatness. Written as an anthem for inner fire and determination, the song captures the raw energy of striving to be your best – whether on the field, in the classroom or in life. “This song isn’t just a track; it’s a battle cry,” Pete shares. “When you hear the chorus ‘Higher, Higher, Leave It All Behind’ – I want you to feel that surge of energy, that belief that nothing can hold you back.”
Undisputedly one of Australia’s most successful singer-songwriters, Pete Murray has amassed over 1.2 million album sales, hundreds of millions of streams, three ARIA chart-topping albums, and 17 ARIA Award nominations, while also continuously touring (having just last month completed a 56 date tour of Aus) and releasing new material for over 20 years. Emerging with his debut full length album The Game in 2001, Pete’s breakout sophomore album Feeler in 2003 cemented his status as one of the all-time greats. With ongoing hits and fan-favourites along the way, including Better Days, Feeler, Opportunity and So Beautiful, Pete’s stirring and enduring blend of positivity with acoustic, rock and folk elements has only amplified his revered reputation, including via his most recent full length album Camacho in 2017.
Longing is released today.
Tickets for Pete Murray’s Longing Summer tour are on sale today, October 10 from www.petemurray.com.
PETE MURRAY – LONGING SUMMER TOUR
Tickets from www.petemurray.com
THU 18 DEC | THE EXCHANGE, NEWCASTLE NSW
FRI 19 DEC | MIRANDA HOTEL, MIRANDA NSW
SAT 20 DEC | ETTAMOGAH PUB, KELLYVILLE NSW
SUN 21 DEC | DEE WHY SHOWROOM, DEE WHY NSW
THU 01 JAN | MANLY HARBOUR BOAT CLUB, MANLY NSW
FRI 02 JAN | THE STATION, SUNSHINE COAST QLD
SAT 03 JAN | KINGSCLIFF BEACH HOTEL, KINGSCLIFF NSW
SUN 04 JAN | JETTY BEACH HOUSE, COFFS HARBOUR NSW
THU 08 JAN | PORT MACQUARIE RACE CLUB, PORT MACQUARIE NSW
FRI 09 JAN | SHOAL BAY COUNTRY CLUB, SHOAL BAY NSW
SAT 10 JAN | TORONTO HOTEL, TORONTO NSW
SUN 11 JAN | DRIFTERS WHARF, GOSFORD NSW
FRI 16 JAN | BARWON HEADS HOTEL, BARWON HEADS VIC
SAT 17 JAN | PIER BANDROOM, FRANKSTON VIC
FRI 13 FEB | HOTEL BRUNSWICK, BRUNSWICK HEADS NSW
