Barnes Band to put on a party

AUSTRALIAN music royalty is poised to grace Bendigo post-Easter under the guise of the Jane Barnes Band – an ensemble led by Barnes herself, with special guests, husband Jimmy and daughter Mahalia, adding to the excitement.

As the story goes, the band attracted a large following after lockdowns began in 2020 and the Barnes family sought to reach out daily to people who were struggling with isolation to let them know they weren’t alone.

Rather than rehash Jimmy’s own music every night, they concentrated on performing what they felt might ‘touch people in a different way’.

Momentum grew as time went on and on some nights there’d be special guest musicians and family members involved.

Before they knew it, The Jane Barnes Band had taken off.

Its repertoire is varied and soulful – covering everything from Otis Redding to Doris Day and Dolly Parton, Cold Chisel to John Denver and Glen Campbell, and Leonard Cohen to The Beatles.

The current tour, which has already taken in Launceston, Adelaide, Bunbury and Tweed Heads, is billed as an encore to the band’s run of sold out shows in 2023.

“This time around you can catch The Jane Barnes Band at a theatre near you,” she said.

“Come and join us for a family party.”

With years of bedroom, loungeroom and verandah performances behind her, she said the band is “match fit and ready”.

The Jane Barnes Band performs at Ulumbarra Theatre next Wednesday 8 April, with tickets available for purchase via Gotix.