International singing star Toni Childs to perform in the North

Legendary singer-songwriter Toni Childs is set to enchant audiences in North Queensland with her upcoming concerts with a focus on celebrating pollinators.

Toni Childs says she enjoys performing in regional towns

Legendary singer-songwriter Toni Childs is set to enchant audiences in North Queensland with her upcoming concerts with a focus on celebrating pollinators.

Childs said she was excited to showcase her most revered songs while diving into her fresh new music from two albums, “It’s All a Beautiful Noise” and “Citizens of the Planet.”

In discussing her creative process for “It’s All a Beautiful Noise,” Childs told NQ Weekend the album aimed to inspire a celebration for the pollinators on the planet.

“The show is two hours of non-stop animation and live action footage, music and hi-tech audience engagement,” she said. “It’s actually three to four months of audience engagement. Three months before my show actually comes to your town a 8.5m Bee installation goes up in the town made out of recycled paper.

“With 10,000 Silkworms weaving the skin of the bee. My bee friendly installation launches three months of bee centric activities prior to my show coming to the town, and starts a conversation; what does a bee friendly town look like, what does a bee friendly home look like and what does a bee friendly farm like?

“At my show you’ll be given one of six masks of pollinators; each mask has an addressable LED light that I control from the stage, and underneath each mask is a URL. ’’
At the end of the show Childs invites people to go on a treasure hunt online where they can win a prize.

Hit maker Toni Childs will perfrom in Charters Towers and Prosperpine in December

At the end of the treasure hunt they’ll be asked to send their mask to a physical location where all the masks are put into one giant public installation.

Childs said she enjoyed blending her classic hits with her new material.

“I’m loving it. I like to think of the evening like a chocolate box of memories,” she said. “And like a chocolate box, we all have our favourites but then there’s some new sweets in there that become our new favourites.

“And it’s a way to make some new memories. I am so glad and grateful people are really loving the new music and I’m loving singing them, but I also really love singing my older material.”

Childs said one of her goals she had as a young artist was that her music would stand the test of time.

“And fortunately for me, I’ve been able to do that. I feel honoured and privileged that my music has touched so many people.”

Toni Childs told NQ Weekend that one of her goals she had as a young artist was that her music would stand the test of time. Picture: Heidi Petith

Fans can look forward to a delightful concert structure, wherein the first set features beloved songs before an intermission, paving the way for her new tracks.

Reflecting on her move to Australia 12 years ago, Childs said she felt fortunate to be living in the country.

“I live in a very sweet spot, surrounded by cows on the edge of 200 acres in the Byron Bay hinterland.

“I feel at home here. I’m a transplant now and a citizen of this beautiful country. With all the things that are happening in the world right now, I have to say I chose well. It may not be the land I was born in, but I feel particularly loved up here.”

Over her career, Childs has worked with iconic musicians such as Bob Dylan, Al Green, and Peter Gabriel, experiences she described– as pivotal.

“I got to do five shows with Bob Dylan and sing at the radio music hall in New York City, which was incredible . It was my first major tour ... my first album and my career just took off so it had a huge impact, opening for Bob Dylan,” she said. “Singing with Al Green was a surprise.

Toni Childs upcoming concerts are two hours of non-stop animation and live action footage, music and hi-tech audience engagement. .

“The Letterman Show had wanted Tina Turner for their anniversary show and she couldn’t do it. What a special night and a special memory with a very special singer.

“I loved his songs and to be able to sing with him on the Letterman show with Melissa Etheridge as a background singer and Santana on guitar and the All-Star band, Absolutely incredible!! Absolutely incredible. I would love to have that opportunity again now that I have some miles on me as an artist because I have to say I was felt pretty intimidated standing next to him.”

Toni said it was an ‘incredible highlight” to sing with Peter Gabriel.

“I wrote a song while I was recording at his Real world studios in the UK. I had been invited by David Rhodes, his guitar player, to a very special week-long event where they set up 27 makeshift studios with musicians from all over the world as a part of Womad.

“During that week I wrote a song called I Met A Man about Peter. I was fantasising about having him sing with me, and I had the opportunity when making the women’s boat. “

Despite her international success, Childs treasures her performances in smaller towns.

“I grew up in small towns…and because of this, I know people don’t really go out of their way or go to those small towns and you can feel really left out. When I started touring again, instead of just playing big cities I started touring into regional areas of Australia.

North Queensland tour dates

December 7, World Theatre, Charters Towers, worldtheatre.com.au and December 6: Proserpine Entertainment Centre: proserpineproserpineentertainmentcentre.com.au

Originally published as International singing star Toni Childs to perform in the North