By Mikayla van Loon
There’s nothing quite like seeing iconic Australian music artists perform under an open sky in summer especially when it’s for a good cause.
Summer Fun Fest, boasting a lineup of Jon Stevens, Daryl Braithwaite, Kate Ceberano, The Black Sorrows, Killing Heidi, and Chocolate Starfish, is heading to Coldstream’s Rochford Wines on Sunday 16 February.
Presented by not-for-profit Fun in the Sun, this festival is an inaugural music event for the charity which has a vision to help alleviate stress and improve mental health by offering children, young people and families access to opportunities and experiences they wouldn’t normally have the chance to enjoy.
“Our intention is to level the playing field for young disadvantaged people wanting to work in the arts, a postcode should not determine who has the opportunity to have extra curriculum activities in the arts,” Fun in the Sun founder and chief executive officer Mary Toniolo said.
“The arts is a very important area, and we believe that if we support, encourage and mentor children and young people, we can help give them a pathway for their future.
“We’re excited to help discover the next Beethoven, Picasso or even Kylie! Let’s support the next generation of artistic talent.”
When asked to be part of the festival Daryl Braithwaite said he couldn’t turn down an opportunity to perform at Rochford nor to support such a worthy cause, all while getting to do so with friends.
“I love playing out there at Rochford. It’s really one of those places that stick in your mind,” he said.
“It’s outdoors, and the previous shows I’ve done out there over the years have been fantastic and well attended. It’s just good for the people, as well as for the acts performing.”
As a young man who grew up having access to the arts and music, Braithwaite said to be able to share that possibility with other young people is probably what encouraged all the artists on the lineup to say ‘yes’.
“You like to help out when you can, to give back and with Mary’s good intent, it seemed like
a really good idea. Hopefully it’ll succeed and we’ll be able to help young people that are disadvantaged,” he said.
The now 75-year-old said he’s so grateful he made the choice in 1969 to leave his fitting and turning apprenticeship to join a band, despite his father’s dismay, because it gave him a career in music which now sees people sing his songs back to him.
“You don’t take it for granted. The fact that one summer they sing The Horses, they sing As the Days Go By and they sing, Howzat, which goes back to another time.
“It makes you realize that you’re fortunate you went to the left or the right, which for me was in 1969 or 1970 when I said, ‘I’ve left the fitting and turning and I’m joining this band’.”
As the lead singer of Sherbet and in his own solo career, Braithwaite saw all sides of the music industry but said it has changed a lot since the “carefree” ‘70s.
“Younger acts, they’ve got more of a challenge now than what we ever had. It’s so hard. It seems like so many people are doing it, and with technology the way it is, that sometimes gets in the way but it also can help.
“The choices they’ve got now, it’s just incredible.”
That doesn’t stop him from encouraging young artists to push through and continue chasing that dream.
“When I see young bands or young artists especially in the music field, I try to encourage them
that if they really love it and are passionate about it then give it a go,” he said.
“It can be rewarding in many ways. It’s satisfying to them when they can see achievements from week to week or whatever, and they have setbacks and all that but the setbacks are the things that really motivate you to get back up off the ground and give it another go.
“If you take up the challenge of doing artistic stuff, if it’s singing or it may be theater or whatever, it really is a great ride.”
Still invigorated by a live audience and performing, Braithwaite said he loves the “appreciation of an audience” but he also finds joy in seeing a true talent on stage from within the crowd.
“There’s nothing better than looking up on stage and seeing someone play, sing, or whatever they do, and they do it effortlessly,” he said.
“And when people just go, ‘Oh my God, how good is that?’ and it doesn’t look like they’re doing anything at all, but it just sounds like or there’s something they’re emitting from their body, which just captivates people.”
To enjoy a day of live music, while supporting young people in their dreams of entering the arts world, or to find out more information, go to rochfordwines.com.au/summer-fun-fest
