Australian country singer Fanny Lumsden took to the stage at the Lumsden hall last night, on the first night of her New Zealand tour.
"It’s a home away from home and a homecoming — how could I go past Lumsden?" she said.
Southlanders turned out to hear the Aria award-winning singer and her four-piece band The Pawn Stars, in the Northern Southland town’s memorial hall, capacity 200.
The gig is part of the singer’s Country Halls tour, during which she has played in more than 200 town halls across rural Australia.
The idea was to bring family friendly music to remote rural areas, Lumsden said.
"I was raised on a farm in rural New South Wales and it’s great to bring concerts to people who might not otherwise get to go. It’s about connecting with people."
The singer has a slew of accolades to her name, including several Aria nominations, eight Golden Guitar Awards and an Aria for her 2020 album Fallow.
The album was about wildfires which had devastated the area near where she lived and the loss associated with that, she said.
Launched during Covid-19 it earned her a best country album award.
"It was focused on finding hope in harder times."
While critical acclaim has come her way she said financial success was not associated with awards.
"It’s hard yards, even if you are signed to a record label."
Joining her on stage for her five-gig New Zealand tour, playing bass, is her partner Dan Freeman, who describes the Country Halls tour as the bread and butter of what they earn.
"It’s a never-ending tour."
The couple have two young boys, aged 4 and 1, and while they are at home for this tour, they will be joining them on the next one, which will see Lumsden go from one of the world’s smallest stages to one of the world’s biggest, playing the Glastonbury music festival in southern England.
"It is so exciting playing such a gig, but playing in Lumsden is exciting, too."
