New Classical music fest to bring in 20,000+ new visitors to the region
Classical music is set to become a major economic driver in Far North Queensland after raising curtains for the last time in Townsville.
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It may not be on everyone’s playlist, but classical music is set to become a major economic driver in Far North Queensland.
After raising curtains for the last time in Townsville, planning for the Australian Festival of Chamber Musics Cairns debut has already started.
The hugely popular event attracted more than 22,000 people to Townsville in 2024, a staggering 30 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
AFCM Chair Mary Jo Capps expected the growing event to balloon once relocated.
“These are people who come and stay, and stay well,” she said.
“They eat well, they enjoy the best, they shop well, they get the best out of the centre that they’re in and they’re keen to hop off to Port Douglas, Palm Cove, a reef tour, Tablelands, they’re want a wide range of the adjacent activities.
“Cairns is so attractive...because there are direct flights to Cairns, so for the ease for the rest of Australia is great, but we can start to seriously market to New Zealand, Korea, Singapore, other market.”
In 2024, the AFCM generated about $20 million to the Queensland economy with $3.4 staying directly in Townsville.
Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden believed Far North’s assets would grow the opportunity.
“Cairns is the perfect stage. You’ve got world-class music set against a backdrop of world-heritage wonders – and the convenience of being able to walk from your hotel to a performance, a gallery, or a great restaurant, all within minutes,” she said.
“It’s a huge opportunity for our tourism sector, our small businesses, and our creative industries and we’re proud to welcome AFCM into that mix.
“This move is a big win – not just for our artists and audiences, but for our whole region.”After two decades of unsuccessfully lobbying local, state and federal governments for a new concert call the festival announced it would move in June.
Ms Capps said the decision was difficult but necessary.
“It’s a very bittersweet moment and I don’t think any of us... are underestimating the magnitude of this decision,” she said.
“We’d spent 20 years campaigning for a concert hall and it was always something that kept us hanging on with, that’s just around the corner. When it was no longer around the corner, it was like, okay, well what do we do now?
“We were very open and transparent with both Townsville and Cairns and we looked at a number of centres before determining that Cairns was absolutely the best option.”
The 10 day event is split into three daily concerts that feature the very best local and international musicians.
This years program included Berlin Philharmonic French horn player Stefan Door, classical accordionist James Crabb and clarinet virtuoso Michael Collins.
For the thousands of patrons these musicians are rock stars – with people lining up at intermission and between performances for a chance at a chat.
Unlike other festivals, these artists often haven’t met or rehearsed together before arriving in Australia and may never form the same ensemble again.
Artistic director Jack Liebeck hand picks each musician to play a specific part.
Classical Accordionist James Crabb said that pressure was where beauty was created.
“Many times its new arrangements, new people in a short time so you have to got to make it work, make that magic and chemistry,” he said.
“But that’s fun if you had one way of playing the same piece no matter who was playing it, that wouldn’t be very exciting.
“It’s about learning to be spontaneous and being able to take risks and play off each other.”
Outdoor venues such as Queens Gardens Orpheus Island and Magnetic Island form some of the most popular and hotly awaited concerts of the year.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the use of satellite venues could be re-imagined in the Far North.
“The Festival has a very loyal and engaged fanbase who travel for the full series of music events with an average length of stay of 10 days,” he said.
“Direct international aviation access to Cairns will be a drawcard that we hope will help the Festival to develop even more when it moves to Cairns in 2026.
“It’s formula of satellite events will work well in Tropical North Queensland with extraordinary venues such as The Tanks and the Kuranda Amphitheatre where memorable events can be delivered.”
The 2026 line-up is expected to be released early next year with preliminary sites such as Munroe Matin Parklands, CPAC and Tanks Art Centre all floated as potential options.
Cellist Charlotte Miles, is the first confirmed artist for the inaugural event.
She hoped locals would take a chance to experience what had become a world famous event for musicians and visitors.
“I jumped at the opportunity to do this,” she said.
“We love expressing ourselves on stage and that’s basically our whole job, to make everybody feel the emotions that we feel.
“it (AFCM) brings people together, not just, for the Cairns region, but for the whole network of us (artists). It’s incredible.”
Originally published as New Classical music fest to bring in 20,000+ new visitors to the region
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