The talent was truly mind-blowing when the young rockers from Eumundi School of Music (ESOM) took to the stage alongside an impressive line-up of artists at Sunshine Sounds Festival on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September.
The two-day festival took place at The Eumundi School of Arts Hall, and featured a phenomenal home-grown line-up including Frente, Elixir with Michael Leunig, Katie Noonan and string quartet, Abby Dobson (Leonardo’s Bride), Deline Briscoe, Clea, Eliott, Sue Ray, Cigány Weaver, Jungaji, Fred Leone, Louise King, Sugarbag Blonde, Mark Moroney, Frank and Louis, and Layla Havana Barnett, along with the talented young musos from ESOM.
Festival Director (and 5 x ARIA-Award winning local songstress) Katie Noonan said she was thrilled to bring this all-ages family-friendly festival back for its third year, presented as part of Horizon Festival.
“My heart was bursting all weekend,” said Katie. “To have such quality artists perform was a joy, and I’m just so proud of the ESOM kids – their support for each other, and their professionalism on stage.
“The students’ performances at the festival were the culmination of three months of hard work and dedication from our teachers, students and community.
“There were so many special moments at the festival, but watching our young musicians rock out on stage with Frente and also Abby Dobson was particularly special, as was the performance of the Sunshine Sounds Community Choir singing Walking on Sunshine”, she said.
“I have to also mention the stand-out performance by ESOM graduate Layla Havana Barnett – her first performance since the release of her first single Bright New Day last week”, said Katie. “Layla joined ESOM when she was only 11 years old, and now, at 14, is a magnificent young artist with a bright musical future.”
Sunshine Sounds Festival 2023 major sponsor is Live Music Australia – an Australian Government initiative, alongside local support from the Eumundi District Community Association, the Eumundi Historical Association and KIN Music.
