Hundreds of lucky locals and visitors were invited onto Cape Hillsborough Beach earlier this month, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Between The Tides, a signature event of QLD Music Trails’, The Reef Trail capped off its back-to-back two-night run with a headline performance by multi-ARIA Award winner, prolific singer-songwriter, Josh Pyke.
The QLD Music Trails is a program run by Queensland Music Festival (QMF) and known for using the power of music to create experiences perfectly unique to place. In its sophomore year, Between The Tides delivered two nights of music and yarns, with Christine Anu on Saturday night and Josh Pyke on Sunday night, for an intimate audience of just a few hundred on the sands of Cape Hillsborough beach, Yuwi Country.
QMF CEO Daryl Raven explained the importance of an event such as this.
“It’s incredible to come back to Cape Hillsborough and be with the Yuwi People again, welcoming us on Country to have these phenomenal events.
“We’re bringing significant artists, but more often than not it’s about the nature and the beauty of the place. It’s never been done before and we’re privileged to come back here and do it for a second year.”, he said on Saturday afternoon as the crowds started rolling in for the first night.
With a near-impossible task ahead of them, the QMF Team of experienced arts workers, together with Yuwi Corp, Rangers, and Cultural Guides, coordinated a full event bump in and out, quite literally between the tides on both Saturday and Sunday.
With the commitment to leaving only footprints, the staging and audio equipment was strategically built on the sand as the tide went out during the day and was swiftly packed down as the tide rolled back in under the stars.
Each night featured a performance by Gunggari performer Lloyd Saunders in the Gathering Space, before Uncle Gary Mooney, Yuwi Elder and Traditional Owner invited guests onto the beach through a Smoking Ceremony, encouraging the crowd to remove their shoes to really feel the Country before being wowed by the Tchundal Malar Aboriginal Dancers. Mackay local and Lama Lama performer, Tia Gostelow serenaded the crowd as the sun set on both nights before headline acts.
Uncle Gary Mooney, Yuwi Elder and Traditional Owner acknowledged the significance of the event, perfectly placed ahead of a busy and celebratory NAIDOC Week. Speaking of the opportunity to showcase his Country to locals and visitors, he said, “I love it when a plan comes together, and I enjoy that.
“Everybody is enjoying themselves and having a good time, asking questions.”
Sunday delivered an incredibly unique experience, with Josh Pyke taking time to meet and connect with the Tchundal Malar Aboriginal Dancers during his sound check. An engaged lifetime Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and avid supporter of Indigenous music and arts development, this event provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with young artists and traditional stories.
“Thank you to QLD Music Trails for putting on such a unique event and to the crowd for making the effort to come to this beautiful location so we can experience this together,” Pyke exclaimed on stage during the Sunday night gig.
Shortly after, a true display of connection with Country and the Sub-Tropical environment saw a surprise shower come down that certainly didn’t dampen the crowd’s or Pyke’s enthusiasm. Taking a quick break to save the instruments from the wet, he returned to stage solo (although still accompanied by AUSLAN interpreter) for an altered, acoustic set to close out the special night.
The Reef Trail extended through paradise to the serene shores of Lake Proserpine last weekend. Hundreds came together for the final stop, The Reef Sundowner, a free event, which delivered on its promise of an afternoon filled with acoustic folk music and delectable local food amidst a breathtaking lakeside location. Trail-goers and visitors were invited to set up camp and spend the night at the nearby Lake Proserpine campground – flip over to see our article and gallery on page 21 in Whitsunday Life.
QLD Music Trails' Between The Tides event marked a historic convergence of music, culture and natural beauty on Yuwi Country, delighting attendees with its unique charm and scenic backdrop. Images supplied
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