By Romy Stephens
It’s been a tough 12 months for regional Australia.
From parts of the country struggling through drought to others being devastated by bushfires.
That’s part of the reason Brisbane born singer and songwriter Conrad Sewell is looking forward to bringing some excitement to these regions, as he embarks on The Big World Regional Tour.
Conrad’s biggest ever Australian tour will see him perform at places like Dubbo, Albury, Newcastle, Townsville and Hobart as well as Mount Evelyn.
“A lot of the places we’re visiting I’ve never been before,” Conrad told The Mail.
“I love new things. I love going to new places and seeing, even if it is a new town, seeing what they have to offer.
“I wanted to get out to the heart of Australia.”
With bushfires still burning near many regions Conrad will visit, he said he has been trying to figure out ways to help those impacted.
He has decided to donate all merchandise proceeds from the tour to Australia Red Cross and Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.
He has also recently been announced in the lineup for the Fire Fight Australia bushfire relief concert in Sydney.
Conrad said bringing some happiness to areas impacted by the fires was a “massive” part of why he’s doing the tour.
“Music always brings a little bit of something,” he said.
“It’s hard to know the severity of it (the bushfires) when I’m on the coast right now.
“You see the pictures and it’s absolutely devastating.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there so I can see it myself.”
For those going to watch Conrad perform in Mount Evelyn, he said to expect a close and personal performance, in which audience members may even get the chance to touch him.
“It’s like a stripped tour it’s going to be super intimate,” he said.
“I really want people to hear the stories and the songs and get to hear it in a raw form.
“My music is about the stories that I’m telling and being able to connect with my voice.
“These smaller venues, it’s more about connecting with the audience. You get to see me more in my pure form, you’re not 100 miles away.”
Conrad will perform at the York on Lilydale on 31 January.
For more information, visit www.conradofficial.com.
