Live Music Across the Foreshore and Jerra

Last weekend I had the privilege of performing at two very different Canberra region venues, each with its own character and crowd — and both delivering strong engagement and memorable singalongs.

Friday – Walt & Burley (4-7pm)

Friday night was at Walt & Burley, located on the Kingston Foreshore overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. It’s a well-established waterfront venue known for its modern Australian menu, extensive drinks list and expansive indoor–outdoor layout. On a warm evening, it’s one of the most active hospitality spots in Canberra.

The venue was busy from early on. Tables were full, the outdoor section overlooking the lake was lively, and there was a steady end of working week energy throughout the sets.

From the first set I could sense the crowd was engaged. My setlist if popular covers connected quickly, and the singalongs built naturally as the night progressed. The standout at the Walt was Pink Pony Club. As soon as the chorus landed, multiple tables joined in loudly and confidently. It became one of those shared moments where the song carries the room. That kind of response lifts a performance and creates a strong atmosphere across the whole venue.

Saturday – Jerrabomberra Hotel (3-7pm)

Saturday I headed to Jerrabomberra Hotel, a long-standing community pub serving the Jerrabomberra and Queanbeyan region. With its large bistro, bar area and outdoor spaces, it consistently draws a strong local crowd.

The room filled steadily and the audience was engaged across all sets. There’s a different feel in a community pub — families, regulars, groups celebrating — but when the right song lands, it cuts through.

At Jerra, the defining moment was Take Me Home, Country Roads. As soon as the chorus arrived, the entire room seemed to join in. It was loud, confident and sustained — exactly what you hope for when playing a classic like that. It turned the set into a shared experience rather than just a performance.

Two venues. Two different environments. Two headline singalongs.

Thank you to Walt & Burley and Jerrabomberra Hotel for having me. And thanks to Brightside Music and Sound Spectrum for putting me on the bill and supporting live music across the region.

Live music continues to prove that when the right songs meet the right crowd, the connection is immediate.