John Williamson Locks In Surprise 'Big Red Sunset' Concert

While the Birdsville Big Red Bash will take a well-earned break in 2025, the site won’t go unused, with John Williamson announcing a surprise performance at the space in July 2025.

Announcing the event alongside the Outback Music Festival Group, Williamson’s show will be a one-off, never-to-be-repeated event. On Tuesday, 8 July, the True Blue singer will perform atop the 40-metre-high Big Red sand dune at sunset, 12 years to the day after he performed there in 2013.

Tickets and more event information will be announced in January 2025.

Discussing the unique concert opportunity, Williamson said, “It’s an honour for me to be chosen as the only artist to perform on the Big Red sand dune at Birdsville next July.

“I remember at the beginning in 2013, when I performed for the competitors and volunteers on top of the dune after the first charity run Greg Donovan organised out there. It was a magical night.

“The sound is perfect on 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.”

Greg Donovan, the founder and organiser of the Birdsville Big Red Bash and Managing Director of the Outback Music Festival Group, said, “I have 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.

“And with the date of the original sunset concert on July 8, 2013, lining up with what would have been the 1st day of the 2025 Big Red Bash - July 8 2025 - it felt like recreating the very first Big Red sunset concert was meant to be.”

Donovan continued, “So, for 2025, we have decided to re-create and celebrate where it all began for us, providing a unique bucket list opportunity for people to experience first-hand the special event that led to the creation of the Big Red Bash. 

“To have John Williamson performing again after 12 years on top of the iconic dune, along with the boost that it will provide for tourism in the outback, is truly a win/win.”

Cr Francis Murray, the Mayor of the Diamantina Shire Council, added: “It feels like Christmas has come early for us with the decision to stage this event in our Shire next year. While the numbers won’t be at a Big Red Bash level, it will still bring an influx of travellers to Outback Queensland, and that’s a huge win for all of us.”

You can find more information about the concert on the Big Red Bash website.

2025 marks John Williamson’s 55th year in the music industry. He’s embarking on a national tour called My Travellin’ Days Are Done to commemorate the achievement.