A boutique celebration of global music comes to Eudlo

Eudlo is about to become a global music hub as the Long Listen Festival is staged for only the second time. Organised by artistic director and founder Louise King,  the boutique festival promises an immersive celebration of music, culture, and community from November 1-3, 2024.

Louise said The Long Listen Festival aimed to connect audiences with diverse musical traditions spanning Afghanistan, India, and Australia. 

“Festival-goers can expect a thoughtfully curated program that merges classical, folk, and contemporary styles to create a weekend of cultural fusion and artistic storytelling,” she said.

The internationally-trained cellist, is proud to be bringing this artist-driven, musician-led festival to the region. “Long Listen is more than just a festival—it’s a moment to connect, listen deeply, and support our vibrant local arts community that makes our region so special,” she says. 

With her passion for community engagement, Louise has personally funded the event, appealing for support through ticket sales and sponsorships.

Over the weekend, guests will enjoy a variety of experiences, including an opening Welcome Dinner at the Eudlo General Store, featuring a locally-sourced three-course meal curated by Chef Jason. Musical highlights include the first-ever Sunshine Coast performance of PanAlchemy, an Eastern-Western fusion concert featuring world-class musicians, and a captivating collaboration between live musicians and visual artists.

“The Long Listen Festival is a celebration of artists and community, presenting an eclectic blend of musical and visual experiences that amplify world peace and cultural unity,” Louise explained.

• Tickets are still available but selling fast. Join in, connect, and support local art and culture at this special event. To book your tickets and explore the festival’s full program, visit humanitix.com. Scroll down and search “Long Listen”.

Stellar lineup …

A master of the rabab, Qais Essar is a critically acclaimed contemporary Afghan composer, instrumentalist, and producer who channels his melodic designs through the lute-like instrument of Afghanistan. 

With a musical output as unique as it is diverse, Qais delves deep into the world of Indian and Afghan folk and classical music. From composing for Oscar-nominated films such as The Breadwinner, to captivating audiences at SXSW and The Kennedy Centre, he draws upon a vast range of influences spanning film and chamber music, American folk, and contemporary rock.

Fresh from a sensational show at BEMAC (Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre) PanAlchemy is performing for the first time on the Sunshine Coast at Louise’s invitation.  Tsoof Baras and Lachlan Hawkins, co-creators of the unique percussion group SoundStruck, join for a collaboration featuring the unique handpan instrument together with world-renowned bansuri virtuoso Darshil Shah. The trio presents a collection of calming and energetic music that could be described as a healing fusion of rhythm, improvisation and musical spontaneity. 

Australian-American harpist Emily Granger has performed around the world as Guest Principal Harp with the Chicago, Sydney and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Orchestra Victoria, and Opera Australia Orchestra.  She is Principal Harp with Queensland Symphony and on faculty at Queensland Conservatorium of Music Griffith University. 

Courtenay Cleary is fast becoming one of Australia’s brightest young soloists, who burst onto the world stage with her solo performance at Westminster Abbey for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, which was broadcast live on BBC television. She has appeared as a soloist at prestigious venues including Wigmore Hall, Buckingham Palace, Colston Hall, The Regent Hall and The Lincoln Centre. Courtenay completed her Master of Music Degree at The Juilliard School in New York and her doctorate at UQ School of Music. 

“Exudes a vigorous artistry that surely appeals to a younger generation of music lovers” - The Australian

Louise King is an award-winning, internationally-trained, Australian-made cellist and a homegrown festival Artistic Director and music education program designer.

Louise is an independent cellist, equally comfortable in the sonic worlds of new music, experimental improvisation, classical, baroque, jazz and global folk traditions. 

Born in the United States and living in Australia for the past 41 years, guitarist/composer Michael Knopf performs on classical guitar, playing Classical repertoire, Jazz & Bossa Nova, and evocative and engaging originals and improvisations.  He performs at the highest level combining elements from his eclectic guitar-playing career spanning over 50 years. Elements of jazz, rock, classical, flamenco, Middle-Eastern and 20th-century infuse in his playing.

Estampa is a world folk jazz band based in Brisbane, Australia. The band consists of Rebecca Karlen on violin and voice, Paul Henderson on guitar, John Reeves on accordion and Samuel Vincent on double bass.

Maleny Harp Duo features the combined eclectic talents of Rowena Thomas and Graham Langdon on Celtic harps, guitar and mandolin performing celtic, folk, classical, contemporary music. 

Dr Hope O'Chin (Aunty Hope), is a Kabi Kabi/Wakka Wakka/Koa/GuguYolangi elder, artist and educator with qualifications in education, the arts and communications. Her life work continues to contextualize contemporary Indigenous culture and its relationship to broader community development in Australia.

Nikita Fitzpatrick is a second-generation self-taught indigenous artist and founder of New Dreaming Art with a contemporary twist and culture influence.  Nikita’s connection to culture is powerful and respectful, bringing stories to life with bright colours and a different perspective from her indigenous backgrounds. 

Nikita comes from a multicultural family, her background consists of Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander mixed with South Sea, European and Malaysian.

Caleb Fitzpatrick is owner of Didgeridoo Music Therapy with over twenty years of experience in playing timber and hemp didgeridoos and sound healing. 

An award winning artist, Libby Derham won the Annie Tan Memorial Watercolour Award as part of Queensland Regional Art Awards and has been finalist in national awards including Splash: McClelland Contemporary Watercolour Award, Queensland Regional Art Awards, Local Artist Local Content and Du Rietz Art Awards. 

Mieke van den Berg is a contemporary artist and placemaker creating 
site-responsive murals, sculptures, installations, drawings, and performances. Her murals transform public, residential, and commercial spaces into inspiring settings. She is multi-skilled, blending hand painting and airbrushing techniques and enables clients' ideas by translating and refining their vision into unique concepts and styles.