Toni Childs to bring songs of hope and healing to Wild Aid concert in Byron Bay

GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Toni Childs will perform a mix of old favourites and fresh new music at the Wild Aid benefit concert this Saturday September 27.

The US-born artist, who lives at Federal in the Byron Bay hinterland, didn’t hesitate to join the fundraising event for Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital after being introduced to the organisers through a mutual friend.

“I just thought straight up I definitely want to support them,” she said. “I love the Shire and I love it when smart people do great things and love up the planet because that’s what we need. I’m a love pollinator so the audience is going to be pollinated with love.”

Childs will revisit her iconic 1980s and ’90s hits, including Don’t Walk Away, House of Hope and Stop Your Fussin’. But fans can also expect something new, as she performs tracks from her upcoming album, due for release next year. These songs have been part of her retrospective tour, which began in 2018 across regional Australia, after she launched her own touring company to bypass the middleman.

“The new stuff is where the love pollination comes in big time,” Childs said. “The music is so uplifting and positive. It’s fresh. It’s the goods.”

Childs’ career was interrupted after she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease — an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid, causing overproduction of thyroid hormones. She moved to the Hawaiian islands and embraced a toxin-free lifestyle to heal.

“It took more than a decade out of my life and 19 years between albums,” she said. “But don’t feel sorry for me – I had a decade off and went to the beach every day with my dog.”

Born in California, Childs relocated to the Byron Shire in 2012 after meeting her Australian husband, graphic artist, filmmaker and musician Mik Lavage, on a plane after returning to touring in 2010.

“The tarmac was struck by lightning, which delayed our flight leaving, and for some reason his seat was changed and he ended up sitting next to me,” she said. “Then he came to my show in Melbourne.”

Though the couple are no longer together, they continue to collaborate on a range of creative projects.

Childs also founded the Dream a Dolphin Foundation, which provided children with special needs the chance to swim with dolphins and experience dolphin-assisted therapy. She later launched wellness retreats for women in Bali, inspired by the emotional reactions to her Emmy Award-winning song Because You’re Beautiful.

In 2022, she proudly became an Australian citizen. “I’m really glad and grateful,” she said. “I feel at home here and just love living here and the community.”

Also on the bill for Saturday’s event at The Green Room in Myocum — home of Bluesfest — are legendary Aussie rockers Hoodoo Gurus, popular tribute band The Honeysliders and Brisbane power pop favourites Screamfeeder.

Tickets are available via Moshtix.