A never-to-be-repeated performance from Australian country music artist John Williamson will light up the Outback’s Big Red Sunset at Birdsville’s Simpson Desert, taking the place of this year’s Big Red Bash.
This special event will be held on 8 July, marking 12 years since Williamson first performed on the iconic sand dune.
The performance will be a one-off event, staged as the Birdsville Big Red Bash takes a break in 2025.
The concert will take place on top of the 40-metre-high Big Red sand dune, offering a breathtaking backdrop of the Simpson Desert as the sun sets over the Outback.
John said it’s an honour to be chosen as the only artist to perform on the Big Red sand dune.
“I remember at the beginning of 2013, when I performed for the competitors and volunteers on top of the dune after the first charity runs Greg Donovan organised out there,” he said.
“It was a magical night. The sound is perfect on the sand as there are no hard surfaces for my songs to bounce off.
“It will be a true campfire outback setting that is ideal for my Aussie songs. And a perfect celebration as part of my 55 years in the business.”
Founder and organiser of the Birdsville Big Red Bash, Greg Donovan, expressed his excitement about the unique concert.
He explained that, after deciding to take a break from the Big Red Bash in 2025, the team looked for ways to keep the spirit of the event alive and provide support to Outback Queensland businesses.
“We took stock of the outpouring of disappointment – not just from our loyal festivalgoers, but from the businesses in Outback Queensland who rely heavily on the $20 million in tourism dollars the Big Red Bash generates annually,” Greg said.
“We realised that the decision to take a breather would have a knock-on effect on the businesses that have supported us for more than a decade.
“That led us to think about how we might bring something special to the region, on a smaller scale, to bridge the gap until the Big Red Bash returns in 2026.
“I’ve always dreamed that at some stage, we might get a chance to go back to where it all began with a simple John Williamson Sunset Concert staged on the top of the Big Red dune. “With the date of the original concert on 8 July 2013 lining up with what would’ve been the first day of the 2025 Big Red Bash, it felt like recreating the very first sunset concert was meant to be.”
Tickets for the special concert will be strictly limited due to the restricted space on top of Big Red.
Further ticketing information and event details will be released in January 2025, giving fans the opportunity to reconnect with the roots of the iconic Big Red Bash.
The concert will celebrate the spirit of the Big Red Bash, which has grown from its humble beginnings in 2013 into an award-winning three-day festival featuring performers such as Midnight Oil, Jimmy Barnes, John Farnham, Missy Higgins, and many more.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell, said the event would be an excellent way to support Outback Queensland’s tourism industry.
“The Big Red Sunset Concert will carry the spirit of this beloved festival through 2025 while showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Outback Queensland,” Andrew said.
Outback Queensland Tourism Association chief executive officer Denise Brown also welcomed the news.
“The Sunset Concert promises a magical experience at one of Queensland’s most spectacular locations. It’s a great opportunity for music lovers of all ages and will inspire visitors to explore the amazing regions surrounding Birdsville,” Denise said.
