LATEST REVIEWS

Photo credit: Townsville Brass Band The magnificent Spiegeltent proved the perfect departure lounge for the Townsville Brass Band's One World, Many Sounds, a musical journey that took audiences on a whirlwind trip around the globe without ever leaving Townsville. Under the musical direction and baton of Danny Dielkens, the ensemble presented an engaging and beautifully curated program that celebrated music's ability to transcend borders, cultures and generations. Beginning fi

With changing social attitudes over the past century, the traditional freakshow has largely disappeared from the entertainment landscape. The days of the travelling curiosities of P.T. Barnum or the unsettling carnival worlds recreated in American Horror Story: Freak Show are, thankfully, behind us. Yet the fascination with the strange, unusual and unbelievable remains. Deja Voodoo Sideshow cleverly taps into that curiosity, offering something closer to a live-action version

Strut & Fret’s La Ronde has settled into its Spiegeltent residency as NAFA 2026’s premium collision of cabaret, circus and comedy: glamorous, cheeky, breathlessly physical and just dangerous enough to make the front row sit a little straighter. Performed on a small round stage in the centre of the tent, the show understands the particular thrill of proximity. No one is ever very far from the action, and that is very much the point. Entrances and exits spill through the audien

There are few Australian performers who can command a stage quite like Kate Ceberano. More than four decades into a remarkable career, she remains a magnetic presence, combining powerhouse vocals, warmth, humour and an obvious passion for the music that shaped her. Ceberano and her band delivered a joyous celebration of Australian music history, blending beloved classics with highlights from her own extensive catalogue. Opening the evening was guitarist, singer-songwriter and

One of the most moving and memorable musical experiences of NAFA 2026 came from Ngulmiya, the acclaimed Yolŋu singer-songwriter from the Aboriginal community of Numbulwar on the south-eastern coast of Arnhem Land. In a festival filled with impressive performances, this concert stood apart for its authenticity, emotional depth, and extraordinary musicianship. From the opening moments, Ngulmiya's pure and powerful voice commanded attention. His songs drew on themes of death, sp

I think the last time I saw Frenzal Rhomb was at Brisbane's Livid Festival sometime in the late 1990s. Whether it was 1995 or 1999, I can't quite remember, but I do know I was keen to see them again all these years later as they celebrated the 23rd anniversary of Sans Souci. Released in 2003, it was an album that spent plenty of time in my headphones while walking to work during my years living in London in the mid-2000s. So when the opportunity came to revisit those songs li

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF CTRL INC. Contemporary Theatre Research Lab Inc. brought a rare piece of twentieth-century experimental performance to Townsville with Lecture on Nothing and extracts from Mureau, performed by Artistic Director Todd Barty in the courtyard of the IERC at James Cook University. John Cage remains one of the most influential figures in avant-garde music and performance, challenging conventional ideas of sound, silence and artistic meaning. Both Mureau and L