Site logo

Vanuatu artist Tio announces festival appearances and headline tour in Australia & New Zealand

Totally authentic, very contemporary and absolutely gorgeous.”

Seth Jordan, Songlines Magazine UK

One of Melanesia’s finest singer-songwriters has announced a massive 12-date tour around Australia and New Zealand for 2024, including appearances at WOMADelaide and WOMAD NZ.

Tio, who comes from Ambrym Island in Vanuatu, was scheduled to tour Australia and New Zealand in 2021 to celebrate his critically acclaimed 2020 album Sorousian. The pandemic scuttled his plans, but now he is back to play his unique island roots music at festivals and headline shows throughout the country.

Tio grew up immersed in traditional practices, customs and stories. His first interest in music was born from his early encounters with the traditional ‘tam tam’ (a wooden slit-drum) and songs in his language, Daakaka.

A talented multi-instrumentalist, Tio switches between violin, ukulele, guitar, tam-tam, djembe and bush bass. He is driven by his passion for mixing traditional and contemporary beats and styles.

Tio’s debut album received a 5-star review in Songlines Magazine UK and nominations for the Music Victoria Awards and the Songlines Music Awards. The record was produced by Australian music legend David Bridie (My Friend the Chocolate Cake, Not Drowning Waving) and released by renowned world music label, Wantok Musik. The title, ‘Sorousian’, loosely translates to “story” and combines the many facets of Tio’s musical identity and history. Across the album, Tio effortlessly blends his traditional music customs and sounds with modern instrumentation and production to paint a story of his experiences; from living in his home island of Ambrym, Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, and spending time in Melbourne, Australia.

Don’t miss these rare appearances by one of the great up-and-coming voices of our region.

2024 Tour Dates:
Jan 12-14:
Cygnet Folk Festival, Cygnet TAS

Jan 26-28: Newstead Live Festival, VIC

Feb 2: Sol Bar, Maroochydore, QLD with special guest Chris Cobb

Feb 4: Sheoak Shack, Fingal Head, NSW

Feb 10: Tap Room, Castlemaine, VIC

Feb 16: George Lane, St Kilda, VIC with special guests The Black Sistaz

Feb 23: Wauchope Hall, Wauchope NSW

Feb 24: Django Bar, Marrickville, NSW with special guest Declan Kelly

Feb 25: The Funhaus Factory, Gosford, NSW

Mar 7: Memo Music Hall with Wantok Sing Sing, St Kilda, VIC

Mar 8 -11: WOMADelaide, Adelaide SA

Mar 15-17: WOMAD NZ, Taranaki NZ