by Cameron Outridge

The Long Listen festival is set to return from 1-3 November 2024 at Eudlo Hall, bringing a unique and immersive cultural experience where East meets West. This boutique weekend festival, founded by renowned cellist and Artistic Director Louise King, features a rich program of concerts, art, and conversations that aim to amplify world peace through music.

“My vision is rooted in the belief that music is a powerful conduit for connection, reflection, and transformation,” said Ms King. “Long Listen is more than just a music festival; it’s a curated journey that brings together diverse musical voices and a community of listeners open to deep, immersive experiences.”

The festival offers a vibrant mix of classical, world, and contemporary music, celebrating the intersection of diverse musical traditions from Afghanistan, India, and Australia. The program features an exceptional lineup of international and Australian artists, providing a platform for collaboration and spontaneous performances.

The festival kicks off with a Welcome Dinner at Eudlo General Store on Friday, 1 November, where guests can enjoy a locally-sourced three-course meal while meeting fellow festival-goers and artists. The dinner sets the tone for a weekend filled with dynamic performances and a sense of community.

The opening concert, “Unity”, on Friday night, features PanAlchemy, a unique trio blending handpan percussion with bansuri (Indian bamboo flute). This collaboration between Tsoof Baras, Lachlan Hawkins, and world-renowned bansuri player Darshil Shah will offer a meditative and energising start to the festival.

On Saturday morning, the festival presents “Bach & Art”, where music and visual art converge in a live performance. Louise King (cello) and Michael Knopf (classical guitar) will perform the works of J.S. Bach while visual artists Mieke van den Berg and Libby Derham create art in response to the music’s rhythms and melodies, offering a multisensory experience for the audience.

Saturday afternoon continues with “Eastern Currents”, a concert exploring the unity and peace found in the fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions. Queensland Symphony Orchestra harpist Emily Granger, violinist Courtenay Cleary, and Louise King will perform a selection of pieces inspired by this blend of cultures, with a local performance by the Maleny Harp Duo adding to the afternoon’s charm.

The festival’s highlight, “Echoes of the Unseen”, takes place on Saturday evening and features Qais Essar, a master of the Afghan rabab, in collaboration with tabla player Shen Flindell. This intimate performance will see spontaneous collaborations with other festival artists, offering an exclusive regional performance of a show also playing at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Recital Centre.

The festival concludes on Sunday with “Didge Dadirri”, a First Nations cultural immersion featuring didgeridoo sound healing and art creation, and “Estampa”, a closing world folk jazz performance that brings a vibrant and joyful end to the weekend.

• Tickets are now on sale via Humanitix for the Long Listen festival, with early bird discounts available.