Shannon Noll to headline Mackay Festival of Arts

A wide array of musical talent is set to arrive in Mackay for the Festival of Arts in July, with Aussie rock icon Shannon Noll headlining the highly anticipated event

Shannon Noll to headline Mackay Festival of Arts

Australian pub rock icon Shannon Noll will headline the Mackay Festival of Arts in a massive celebration of local talent, culture and all things fun.

Nollsy will headline the G&S Engineering Wine and Food Festival and Festival Club After Party, with the full program set to be released on Saturday.

X Factor winner Isaiah Firebrace will also perform, along with Jess Hitchcock, Heading North and Opera Australia, who is presenting Bizet’s Carmen.

Mayor Greg Williamson said he was excited for the array of talent set to feature.

“This festival is the celebration of local talent, culture, colour, music and food we all need in 2021,” Cr Williamson said.

“It might well be one of the most exciting and diverse festivals the team has delivered.

“With Shannon Noll headlining the line-up of 13 tremendous musical acts, this year’s event will undoubtedly be a standout and a great 20-year milestone.

“Add in the ultra-smooth Dale Pengelly, who’s hosting the Friends of the MECC Jazz Brunch, and award-winning singer-songwriter Jess Hitchcock, who is headlining the new Savour Seaforth event and is fresh from touring with Kate Miller-Heidke and Paul Kelly, and you have a stellar line-up.

“For those who like their music in the theatre, there’s the all-local creation Heading North, the Joel Bow production featuring the writing of S.K. Munt and music of Graeme Connors.”

The festival will also feature acts for the youngsters in the crowd with Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show, Charlotte’s Web and silent discos on the program.

“And Opera Australia is presenting Bizet’s Carmen, complete with thrilling Spanish colour and rhythms, amazing sets and vintage-inspired costumes,” Cr Williamson said.

Cr Williamson said there was a wide range of entertainment provided, with rock and roll, jazz, disco, opera, acrobatics, giant illuminated puppets, tuk tuks and much more expected to be on display.

Mackay Festival of Arts to feature String Symphony

“It will be our most interactive DBCT Iluminate yet and will feature ‘String Symphony’, a giant illuminated puppet hand-woven using more than a kilometre of rope,” Cr Williamson said.

“You will also have the option to catch a lift back to the start of the trail via tuk-tuk, which will be a great way to cap off the experience.

“Adding to this spectacle, we have giant, colourful Australian native Gouldian finches complete with party hats, which will act as ‘Messengers for Mackay’ and will adorn prominent buildings in locations around the city.”

The Mackay Festival of Arts program will go live on Saturday. The festival is on July 9-25.

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Originally published as Shannon Noll to headline Mackay Festival of Arts