The Jane Barnes Band brings family affair to Twin Towns

FOR Jane Barnes, music has always been a family affair.

Living in a household surrounded by accomplished musicians, it was perhaps inevitable that she would eventually find her own place on stage — even if, as she describes herself musically, she’s the “black sheep of the family.”

“The rest of the family are musicians of another level,” Jane joked with a nod to her husband and legendary rockstar Jimmy Barnes, and their highly talented offspring.

The upcoming show at Twin Towns will feature the family talent, with husband Jimmy and daughter Mahalia providing vocals and son Jackie on the drums.

Mahalia Barnes is the highly regarded frontwoman and lead singer for the soul, blues and rock band The Soul Mates, whilst Jackie Barnes has worked with some of the industry’s biggest names and has recorded on over 100 international releases.

“Lucky they’ll work for their food,” Jane joked.

Despite the global reach of Jimmy Barnes’ solo career, The Jane Barnes Band shows offer a different kind of connection that is at once intimate, joyful, and deeply personal.

The family project first grew from the depths of the COVID-19 lockdown, when Jane and Jimmy began playing songs together in their home and posting the performances online as a way of offering fans a sense of togetherness through music.

“We didn’t really know what it was going to look like at that stage,” Jane said.

“I started learning the guitar very simply and we just chose songs together that we grew up with.”

The pair put out a total of 400 songs during the period, featuring a diverse repertoire that included numbers from Tom Jones, Doris Day and Hunters and Collectors.

Jane, who plays guitar in the band, admits her path to performing was shaped from being a part of a household that is overflowing with musical passion.

“Being around people who just live and breathe music…you know, it’s sort of a natural step to become involved with it,” she said.

Jane said she relishes being able to play alongside her family on stage.

“It’s just such a joyous thing that they do and they’re so accomplished,” she said.

“I feel honoured that I am able to share the stage with them and bring my own thing.”

For Jane, it’s not just the musical quality that sets this band apart, but the warmth of family life that bleeds into the show.

“It’s very much a household dynamic,” she explains.

“We laugh a lot.”

“There’s a fair bit of banter but it’s mainly a lot of fun.”

“We just sort of carry on as our particular family and that comes through on stage.”

Born out of the isolation of COVID, The Jane Barnes Band at its heart is about celebrating the joy of making music together.

Their upcoming Twin Towns show will allow audiences to feel the love and connection Jane shares with her family in every song.

The Jane Barnes Band will play at Twin Towns on March 19, at 7pm QLD time

To book tickets, visit: twintownssales1.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/159394