Australian music icon DIESEL will headline this year’s Childers Festival on Sunday 27 July.
Known for hits like “Tip of My Tongue” and “Cry In Shame,” the musician will bring his powerful mix of rock, soul and blues to the main stage.
Here’s what he had to say about the upcoming performance:
You’re performing at the Childers Festival this July – what drew you to this particular event?
I love this part of the country especially at this time of the year, having done numerous FNQ tours through May to August over the years, I know first-hand.
Have you been to Childers before, or will this be your first time performing in the region?
I’ve only ever driven through on the way up or down so this will be my first time actually stopping and playing.
I’ve gotten to know the Bruce Highway pretty well!
What can festivalgoers expect from your set – any surprises or special moments planned?
We like to throw as much in to the set as we can, obviously loads of hits but with 17 albums now, there is quite a bit to choose from, I like to try and show all the dynamics of what we do, that usually involves playing some of the bluesier stuff, as well as the rock/soul/funk/pop.
How do you tailor your live performances for a festival crowd, especially one like Childers that celebrates such a vibrant community atmosphere?
Playing outdoors always influences how I write a set, also the time of the day, sometimes you have to gently take people by the hand so to speak, we have a lot of energy!
Do you enjoy playing regional festivals like this one compared to bigger city gigs? What’s the difference for you as an artist?
I love getting out of the cities and playing, especially if it’s outdoors for the oxygen alone!
It’s so freeing, the connection you can have with nature while you’re “at the office” I love.
I feel like I can hear myself think a little easier the closer I am to the bush.
You’ve had a remarkable career spanning decades – how has your music evolved and what still excites you about writing and performing?
The whole thing I would describe as a work in progress, I’m grateful for the success I’ve had and having that has allowed me to keep going and try new things musically, I still love the process of writing, recording and performing, watching new songs join the fold of older songs still fascinates me.
Are you working on any new music right now, or will fans hear some unreleased tracks at Childers?
I have been working on a new album over the last year, with hopes of releasing in ‘26, my band are yet to hear it it’s so new but we will definitely be playing new tracks from “Bootleg Melancholy”.
Your sound blends rock, blues, and soul so seamlessly – what artists or experiences have influenced that style most?
Artists like Prince, Sly Stone, they’ve blended the aforementioned genres and come up with a hybrid.
I love so many kinds of music, I find it hard staying in one lane!
What’s a song of yours that’s taken on new meaning over time when you perform it live?
Cry In Shame has become somewhat of an epic song, with a gospel element, a kind of release for us and the audience when we play it.
It certainly didn’t feel like that when it was written and recorded, I was fond of it but it was literally just one of many songs from the sessions we did making the record.
It’s really evolved to be the song where all the hounds and horses are released.
The Childes Festival will be held across four days, from 24-27 July.
Find out more here.
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