Long Listen is an artist-driven music festival at the Sunshine Coast envisioned and led by acclaimed cellist and homegrown Artistic Director, Louise King. This annual event offers a powerful blend of traditional and contemporary performances, weaving together global musical traditions, immersive improvisation, experimental collaborations, classical music, workshops and artful storytelling.
Returning annually after a ragingly successful festival launch and weekend of well-supported performances in 2023, Long Listen will present eclectic world-class concerts, conversations and cultural experiences, in a vibrant celebration of sound and connection. With dynamic world-class artists on stage and in community, the festival promises all ages a unique program demonstrating the transformative power of music.
[NOTE: Donation instructions follow at the end of this article!]
What makes us, us? Our Vision
Long Listen is a vibrant celebration of musical diversity, where the sounds of the world come together in the heart and minds of the Sunshine Coast. Rooted in the belief that music transcends boundaries, our festival brings international, national and local artists into intimate and unusual settings, creating a space for cultural exchange and community connection.
Long Listen offers performances that blend global traditions and contemporary innovation, giving audiences immersive, transformational and deeply personal experiences.
Our boutique festival is a celebration of unity through music, fostering dialogue, understanding, and a shared appreciation for the world’s rich cultural tapestry.
We are passionate about creating a space where listening to music is centre-stage, where music transcends boundaries, and where culture and conversation intertwine.
Our artist-led, community-driven events invite artists, performers, and audiences to enjoy the richness of diverse musical traditions. Curator Louise King is an internationally renowned cellist with a passion for innovative collaborations and cultural fusion, and committed to bringing a unique and fresh festival to the Sunshine Coast.
Louise King: Visionary Artistic Leader
Louise King is an internationally acclaimed cellist with a career spanning decades, recognized for her transformative contributions to the world of music. She has captivated global audiences with her performances and earned prestigious accolades for artistic excellence and innovation. A visionary in her field, Louise has forged deep connections within both national and international arts communities, leading groundbreaking projects that bridge cultures and inspire audiences.
Her pioneering work includes founding and directing renowned initiatives such as the Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival, Sunshine Coast Chamber Orchestra, the Australian Chamber Music Collective, Cello Dreaming Retreats, Summer Concerts and Dreaming BIG concerts.
Louise is expanding her artistic reach through Long Listen, a dynamic new venture that brings Australia’s finest artists — and the world’s most diverse musical voices — to the Sunshine Coast.
Louise is driving this festival strategically into an independent organization by forming a Festival Advisory Group of dedicated supporters, who are united in their purpose to elevate local arts to a global audience and create lasting cultural impact for the region.
What makes us unique?
Long Listen uniquely celebrates cross-cultural musical exchange, blending Eastern, Western and First Nations musical traditions through thoughtfully curated performances and discussions.
Unlike traditional music festivals, Long Listen provides an intimate, immersive experience that emphasizes both artistic excellence and community connection.
By showcasing diverse global sounds alongside local talent, and offering accessible programming for all ages, Long Listen fosters a deeper appreciation of music’s power to transcend boundaries, within the serene and naturally beautiful backdrop of the Sunshine Coast on Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) country.
What will we do?
Our vision is to create an annual weekend-long event filled with concerts, conversations, and collaborations. The festival will host a range of events over three days initially, including performances by world-class artists, cultural discussions, and pop-up events that celebrate the connection between music, community, heritage and innovation.
Our Purpose:
- Promote Cultural Collaboration: Foster meaningful partnerships between artists from diverse backgrounds, with a special emphasis on amplifying the voices of First Nations
- Support New Commissions: Facilitate the creation and presentation of new works through commissioning opportunities, providing a platform for innovative artistic expression.
- Engage Diverse Audiences: Build inclusive and engaging experiences for audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and communities, with a focus on fostering young and family participation.
- Celebrate Artistic Excellence: Showcase exceptional performances and artistic works through curated events, celebrating the richness of musical and cultural traditions from East and West.
- Sustain Artistic Development: Provide ongoing support and opportunities for artists through workshops, mentorship, and creative development, contributing to the long-term growth of the arts community.
2025 Fundraising Target: $50,000
Funding is vital to cover artist fees, venue hire, production and operational costs to ensure the festival is accessible to our community and of the highest artistic quality. Your support will also help bring unique performances to life, from our welcome long table dinner to the closing event, featuring a range of traditional and contemporary music.
Our Festival Timeline:
Our 2024 ‘East meets West’ festival marks the second stage of our multi-year plan, leading to an expanded program and new locations in 2025, pending successful funding and donor support.
Your investment today lays the groundwork for future growth, allowing us to enhance the impact that the festival can offer our artists and wider community, add value to the 2024 program, and will seed future developments in our Long Listen series.
- Stage #1: Launch Teaser Weekend (29 Sept–1 Oct 2023)
- Stage #2: Festival Return ‘East meets West’ (1–3 Nov 2024)
- Stage #3: Festival Long Weekend (Save the Date: 3–6 Oct 2025)
Where can people learn more?
Stay connected with us on social media to follow and support our progress and learn about our new team, advisory group and the exceptional artists that are involved. We’ll post regular updates about the festival and behind-the-scenes content leading up to, and post-event.
Why choose to support Long Listen?
Long Listen is more than a music festival — it’s a cultural gathering that fosters understanding and a passion for music and artists. By supporting this new festival, you’re helping to create a platform that encourages dialogue across cultures, promotes artistic excellence, and brings people together in celebration of music.
Your support ensures the festival remains a vibrant part of the Sunshine Coast’s cultural landscape, setting an example and providing new opportunities for future generations, building new audiences, developing local talent, and enriching our community.
We welcome you to join us in making Long Listen a lasting legacy.
How to Donate:
Choose your amount using the details below, and we’ll take care of everything else!
