Gallery: Aussie talent rocks Lismore in free concert for flood battlers

Flood affected residents in the Northern Rivers enjoyed some of the country’s top acts at the One From the Heart concert in Lismore on Sunday. Check out our gallery

Families from Coraki, Woodburn, Lismore and surrounds attended the One From the Heart concert to lift the spirits of flood impacted residents in the Lismore region. Concert was free at Lismore showgrounds May 15, 2022. Picture Cath Piltz

The weather failed to dampen spirits at Lismore showgrounds where thousands gathered to enjoy a one-off free concert packed with A-list Aussie talent.

“One From the Heart” hosted a stellar line-up featuring The Buckleys, Darlinghurst, Paul Kelly and Dan Kelly, Daryl Braithwaite, Sheppard, Lime Cordiale, Jon Stevens and Lismore’s own, Grinspoon.

The concert was designed to celebrate resilience and lift the spirits of the Lismore and its surrounding communities.

The 13,000 tickets allocated for the event- organised by Lismore council, Chugg entertainment and Helium - were snapped up overnight. 

George Sheppard of Brisbane indy pop band Sheppard at One From the Heart at Lismore showgrounds. Picture Cath Piltz

Promoter Michael Chugg said he was “blown away” by the demand and more tickets were released.

While the rain kept some people at bay, many were not deterred and the Lismore showground centre field filled up with families from Coraki, Woodburn, Wardell, Lismore and surrounds.

Paul Kelly’s opening prose at the One From the Heart concert at Lismore showgrounds. Picture Cath Piltz

Major drawcard, Paul Kelly enchanted the crowd with his unique Australian prose.

Onstage he said he was glad to be in Lismore because he truly felt for the area.

Singing his classics Before too Long and To Her Door, the 67 year-old surprised a delighted crowd performing his brand new single Northern Rivers.

“We’ll probably release that one in the next couple of months,” he said.

Grandparents through to grandchildren bopped away in the mud without a care in a relaxed atmosphere.

Gallery: One From the Heart

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Spokesman for Lismore Council said council had a very small window of opportunity to “make this happen”.

“We didn’t have much time, the only time we had was for today so we had to take it,” he said.

Hundreds of volunteers helped crew the event.

Local residents said the concert was “unreal” “really great” and “bloody awesome”.