The Scoop: Brisbane popstar Conrad Sewell reveals fly-in fly-out tour schedule

Brisbane singer-songwriter Conrad Sewell says adopting a “fly-in, fly-out” touring schedule is the only way he can keep both his fans and young family happy. WE’VE GOT THE SCOOP.

Conrad Sewell performs at It's A Bloke Thing 2024 at Wellcamp Airport. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Brisbane singer-songwriter Conrad Sewell says adopting a “fly-in, fly-out” touring schedule is the only way he can keep both his fans and young family happy as he prepares to bring his Firestone 10th-anniversary acoustic tour home to Queensland next month.

Speaking from Melbourne, where he recently filmed a new music video, Sewell revealed he and every member of his band now tour Thursday to Saturday before flying home to be with their families.

“We go from Thursday, Friday, Saturday shows, and then I’m home Sunday, back with the kids, from Sunday ‘til Wednesday,” he said.

“We’ve sort of strategically done it so that our partners don’t hate us too much by the time we get home, and we can still sort of spend some time with the kids during the week.”

Sewell, 37, and partner Jasmine Hingston are parents to son Memphis, 3, and daughter Faith, 1.

“Memphis is starting to notice a bit that I travel a lot,” he said.

“So there’s definitely just sacrifices that come with what we do.

“It’s tricky to navigate … but I’m very grateful for both, for the family, and it keeps me grounded.”

Touring can be a juggle for Australian singer and songwriter Conrad Sewell.

“Parenting is not easy. And I think everybody makes it out to be. When you become one, you’re like, oh shit. This is actually really hard. But you know, it’s definitely worth it.”

The regional tour, already half-completed after dates in New South Wales, celebrates a decade since Kygo’s global hit Firestone first catapulted him onto international charts.

And while the venues this tour are primarily pubs and clubs in regional towns, Sewell said they are still packed and charged with emotion.

“The fact that we’re selling 400 tickets [a night] in these markets is great because, you know, times are tough,” he said.

“The fact that people still paying to come and see music, I think that’s really important. And yeah, hopefully that never goes away.”

Queensland fans will have four more chances to catch the intimate, stripped-back tour when it rolls into Mackay, Yeppoon, Cleveland and Kings Beach in May.

“I’ve got a couple of surprises up my sleeve for the Queenslanders, and I always bring out something special for you guys, the hometown,” he said.

Fans attending the upcoming Queensland shows can also expect to be among the first to hear unreleased tracks from a forthcoming album created with Start Again co-writer Jamie Hartman.

“We’ve finished most of an album now, and we’re going to start putting out music pretty soon,” Sewell said.

“This is sort of like the year of new music, lots of touring, and just sort of getting everything back out there.”

CHLOE SZEP MYSTERIOUSLY SHUTTERS SZEP BRAND

Popular Gold Coast influencer Chloe Szepanowski has baffled fans by abruptly pulling the plug on her activewear label SZEP, with many questioning why the thriving brand wasn’t sold, scaled back or handed over and was mysteriously shut down instead. The 25-year-old mum-of-two said in an Instagram post on Wednesday she was “laying down SZEP for a little while” to focus on motherhood and her spiritual path.

“It is with sadness and peace that I lay down Szep for a little while. I’m not sure what’s next however I have peace knowing that motherhood is my heart & raising the boys,” she wrote.

The news prompted an outpouring of support from fans and influencers, but also raised eyebrows among followers and industry insiders confused by the decision to “end” the brand instead of selling to new ownership.

Chloe Szepanowski wearing 'Szep'. Photo; Instagram.

ROGUE TRADERS: “WE’RE GOING TO BRING OUR A-GAME” TO MAGIC ROUND

After more than two decades on stage, Rogue Traders’ James Ash says he still gets nervous before every performance – and this Sunday’s Magic Round gig in Brisbane is no exception.

The Aussie music veteran (pictured with bandmate Natalie Bassingthwaighte) will take the stage at The Star Brisbane’s LiveWire Bar at 8.30pm, helping close out the city’s biggest footy weekend with a DJ set.

“It’s absolutely huge. Amazing to be part of it – we are going to bring our a-game, just like all the teams,” Ash said.

He said the mix of live music and rugby league made perfect sense. “Don’t think it’s odd at all. If you think about it, they are both about celebrating what you love with amazing people around you. What could be better than that?”

Rogue Traders' Natalie Bassingthwaight and James Ash. Photo: Supplied.

Ash, who proudly supports the Melbourne Storm, teased a dynamic set that reimagines the band’s biggest anthems.

“Our DJ Duo set is all about reinventing our hits and delivering them in the most energetic way possible.”

And despite decades of experience, the nerves are still very real. “Well we never take it for granted – we treat every show like it’s the last one, and go out on the stage feeling newbie nerves every single time.”

One song that still gives him goosebumps?

“Definitely In Love Again,” he says.

CHANNEL NINE AXES NEW HIRE AFTER 50 DAYS

In a move that’s raised eyebrows among Brisbane media circles, Channel 9 Queensland has quietly let go of a newly hired publicist — just one month and 20 days after she relocated from Sydney to take on the role.

The experienced media professional confirmed the news herself in a candid and humorous social media post, describing her abrupt departure as a “whirlwind romance” with Nine that ended in a “hilariously premature” fashion.

“I was just starting to figure out the treacherous Brisbane roads and — poof — I was made redundant,” she wrote, adding she had only just finished setting up her desk before learning her services were “no longer required”.

The post struck a chord with followers, with many expressing shock over how quickly things had unravelled.

“I learned so much,” she said. “Like the importance of setting up my desk quickly and the sheer speed at which one can become unemployed these days.”

The publicist had made a “big move from NSW” to take up the Brisbane-based position, believed to be part of an internal restructure of the station’s communications and publicity team. However, just over five weeks into the job, her contract was terminated without warning.

There’s no suggestion of ill will on her part, with the outgoing staffer clarifying there was “no hate” towards Channel 9 and that the decision was simply “crazy timing”.

Still, the timing of the departure has sparked industry chatter, especially given recent headlines around turbulence within Queensland’s commercial newsrooms — including changes to leadership, newsroom morale, and ongoing ratings battles.

Nine is yet to publicly comment on the redundancy.

The post ends with a tongue-in-cheek farewell: “May your coffee always be strong and your employment contracts significantly longer than mine.”

This comes as Nine News Queensland announced on Friday that Joel Dry will replace Andrew Lofthouse as co-anchor of the 6pm bulletin alongside Melissa Downes.

Nikki Osborne. Picture: Peter Wallis

Nikki Osborne

Comedian Nikki Osborne has scored her first-ever radio ratings win since joining Nova 106.9’s breakfast line-up in January, and her stunned reaction has gone viral.

The Ash, Luttsy & Nikki Osborne show was crowned Brisbane’s best breakfast program in the second GfK radio survey of the year.

In a video posted to Nova’s social media, Osborne is seen screaming, hugging colleagues and shouting “I can’t believe that” after being told the show had climbed to the top spot.

“When (Nova Brisbane program manager) Buzz came in with a serious face, I thought it was going to be the ‘We’ve got some work to do’ spiel,” she said.

“So when he yelled ‘We’re No. 1 in breakfast, baby’ I thought he was taking the piss which is why … in the video, I say multiple times “f--koff’. I started doing run-up cuddles like a little girl at a slumber party, and I’m not a hugger.”

Katter’s nanny

An American TikToker has shared her experience of moving Down Under to take on a nannying role, reportedly with the Katter family.

The creator, Grace Harris, is a Nashville native who in recent weeks packed up from her time in Sydney and shipped out to Mt Isa, where she has documented her entire journey to becoming an au pair.

Influencer Grace Harris has moved to Mount Isa.

Fans were quick to guess she would be joining MP Robbie Katter’s family after she shared a video referring to the three daughters and the mum’s business setting up glamping tents, understood to be Daisy Katter’s Outback Tents & Events.

The real clincher was her throwaway comment that “the dad is coming to pick me up in his plane”. Harris has since posted daily ‘day in my life’ videos and described the family as the sweetest, while commenters have been sent into a frenzy.

Queensland mums

Queensland fun mums are weeping into their margarita’s as OG mum’s night out host and MC Danielle Rodgers has announced she is closing down her business Mummy Republic/Dancefloor Collective. The brand was launched by Rodgers back in and has been the one-stop-shop for mamas looking to let loose for some “nightclub vibes in the daytime”. Events have included Mummy-chella and the Yeah the Mums Party. Rodgers revealed on her Instagram accounts that she had tried to outsource parts of the business to no avail, and that as her family life got busier and she explored other passions, she no longer had time for the events.

Originally published as The Scoop: Brisbane popstar Conrad Sewell reveals fly-in fly-out tour schedule