Rising Cairns pop singer Amber Farnan to open for idol, Missy Higgins

A young Cairns musician will live out her childhood dream to perform in front of her idol Missy Higgins, across the road from the venue she first saw her live.

As an eight-year-old, Amber Farnan went to see her favourite singer Missy Higgins in concert the old Cairns Civic Theatre. Next Saturday, the Cairns indie folk pop singer and songwriter will get to meet her musical idol when she plays the opening set for Missy Higgins at Munro Martin Parklands for The Second Act concert. Picture: Brendan Radke

A young Cairns singer will live out her childhood dream, opening for Aussie music legend Missy Higgins across from the place she first laid eyes on her beloved idol, who will perform at Munro Martin Park on May 11.

Indie-pop singer Amber Farnan was only eight years old when she first saw Higgins perform live at the former Cairns Civic Centre, now Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

“She’s my favourite artist,” Ms Farnan said.

“She was the first ever concert I went to when I was 8 years old and ever since then, I’ve always thought if I could open for anyone in the world, it would be Missy Higgins.

“Now that dream is coming true.”

As an eight-year-old, Amber Farnan went to see her favourite singer Missy Higgins in concert the old Cairns Civic Theatre. Next Saturday, the Cairns indie folk pop singer and songwriter will get to meet her musical idol when she plays the opening set for Missy Higgins at Munro Martin Parklands for The Second Act concert. Picture: Brendan Radke

EMBARGOED FOR DEC 8 2023. Australian singer songwriter Missy Higgins. Picture: Tajette O'Halloran / Supplied.

Higgins will tour Cairns as part of her The Second Act Tour, where she will perform the entirety of her hit album, The Sound of White, live for the first time.

Ms Farnan, who won a Queensland Music Award for her debut single Over & Out in 2021, said she loved the Sound of White album, which features one of her favourite songs, Scar.

“I would love to perform Scar with her if the opportunity came up. I know it’s a bit of a generic answer, but it’s such a great song,” she said.

The pop-folk singer-songwriter said she admired Higgins' vulnerability in her music, and tried to emulate it in her writing.

As an eight-year-old, Amber Farnan went to see her favourite singer Missy Higgins in concert the old Cairns Civic Theatre. Next Saturday, the Cairns indie folk pop singer and songwriter will get to meet her musical idol when she plays the opening set for Missy Higgins at Munro Martin Parklands for The Second Act concert. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Missy is one of my top influences in music. I love how she writes. She’s very authentic and she puts a lot of emotion into her songs,” she said.

“She’s a good storyteller and I want to incorporate that in my writing as well.”

Ms Farnan, who released her debut EP The Motions in 2022, said she had been busy writing new music and was looking to record later this year.

“I’m hoping to record soon and get some singles out there. I’ll be playing the Townsville Folk Festival in June as well and I’m hoping to do a tour next year,” she said.

Ms Farnan’s music can be found on Spotify and Soundcloud.

Tickets to Missy Higgins, The Sound of White, The Second Act tour are available via Ticketlink.

Originally published as Rising Cairns pop singer Amber Farnan to open for idol, Missy Higgins