Xavier Rudd headlining at Between the Tide in Cape Hillsborough

Ahead of his headline performance, Queensland musician Xavier Rudd shares his “shock” diagnosis and the uncertainty that comes with it.

Xavier Rudd is coming off a strong performance in front of thousands headlining for Bluesfest in Byron Bay. Photo: Josh Hickie

From weddings to funerals, Xavier Rudd has provided the soundtrack to some of the most pivotal moments in people’s lives.

But after experiencing one of his own significant “low points” following a shock cancer diagnosis, it was the music that came to him.

“I felt like I wouldn’t even play any music again,” he said.

“I felt a bit kind of dead inside and couldn’t touch an instrument and then the next time I did, all of a sudden the words just poured out of me.

“I wrote it really fast.”

Xavier Rudd’s newest track ‘Where to Now’ came out in April this year. Photo: Nathan Hughes

While his breakout hit, Follow the Sun, has been listened to 87 million times on YouTube his latest track, ‘Where to Now’, is a stripped back reflective call for organic human connection.

Mr Rudd said it was inspired by stories he’d heard during his days on tour.

“I come across a lot of stories of suicide and things like that with kids in recent years and I think, you know, the world is hard.

“Behind all the sort of rubbish that people put up on social media and the sort of image that people put up, people are a bit lost and struggling.

“I think it’s important that that’s acknowledged.

“I don’t want to sound like an old Muppet…but I just wonder sometimes whether kids are as capable these days because of their smart phones.

“I’m fortunate enough to have my music to channel that stuff and let stuff go.”

Xavier Rudd in front of a large crowd performing at Barcelona’s Poble Espanyol in September last year. Photo Josh Hickie

The Sunshine Coast multi-instrumentalist was diagnosed with Lymphoma at the start of the year and while it’s still early days and without the need for treatment, it has put a few things into perspective for the father of five.

“It hasn’t really changed anything yet. It’s scary and I don’t know where it goes,” he said.

“The immediate thing that comes to mind is that I want to be with my kids and so I haven’t done a long tour away yet since.

“I guess it’s made me really value life and everything that I’ve got going on and I feel very grateful.”

Mr Rudd said a recent cancer diagnosis came as a shock though he’s unsure how it will effect his life on the road. Photo: Mikey Conlon

After being spoiled with huge crowds overseas and around the country, such as last year’s European Tour, and a recent headline gig at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, Mr Rudd now also finds solace on the smaller outdoor stages, which makes his upcoming two night show at the Cape Hillsborough National Park “pretty much perfect”.

“To be collaborating with local mob as well is super special and so to be doing this whole thing between the tides is really intriguing for me,” he said.

“I can sort of already tell that it’s going to be magic.”

Set amongst the backdrop of a rising tide under the North Queensland stars, Between the Tides will feature artists Kee’ahn, Keely and Mackay locals from the award winning Tchundal Malar Dancers group for a two day special on Friday, June 13.

Xavier Rudd will perform as part of the North Australian Festival of Arts in Townsville in October. Photo: Supplied

But while he’s yet to prepare a set list, attendees can rest assured to hear new and unreleased tracks from Mr Rudd, some that have never been heard before.

“In this kind of environment, I’ll probably share a few stories and have a bit of a yarn and it’ll feel a bit more personal,” he said.

Although he’s not a stranger to the Tropical North coast having played in Townsville and all the way up through to Cairns, he admits he hasn’t properly explored the Mackay region, this time hoping to rent out a hire car and take in a bit of what the landscape has to offer.

He will be playing in Gerringong NSW, Woodford in Queensland and Cape Hillsborough before his international tour begins in September this year.

Originally published as Xavier Rudd headlining at Between the Tide in Cape Hillsborough