Entertainment
4 July, 2025
Sounds liven up Stratford
THE normally sleepy streets of Stratford are set to come alive with the sound of music this Saturday, July 5, as the suburb hosts its first-ever ‘Live and Local: Stratford Sounds’ – a free, one-day music trail turning everyday venues into live music hotspots.
From 9.45am to 6.45pm, audiences can stroll from barbershops to bars, libraries to laneways, and soak up a dynamic lineup of homegrown musical talent. Presented by Cairns Regional Council in partnership with the Live Music Office and APRA AMCOS, the event promises a jam-packed day of indie, acoustic, R&B, folk, funk and feel-good vibes.
“Live and Local is about bringing music back into the places we live, work and gather,” said Division 6 Councillor Kristy Vallely. “It’s not just about big stages – it’s about giving a platform to our local artists in the small, vibrant venues that make suburbs like Stratford special,” she said.
And special it will be. The day’s line-up reads like a who’s who of Cairns’ finest: Tessa Devine, Leanne Tennant, Katie Richards, Grace Jones, Foxy, Cam Kettle and Vidur Sehgal are just a handful of the acts performing across a mix of venues including cafes, distilleries and even the local library.
Cr Vallely hopes Stratford Sounds will spark more grassroots music events across the city. “This is just the beginning – there’s so much potential to roll out more Live and Local events and create a real network of neighbourhood gigs,” she said.
Local musician Tessa Devine, who’ll be closing the day with a signature sunset set at Narrow Tracks Distillery, says it’s exactly the kind of event that brings people together.
“I’m so honoured to be part of a gig that puts original music in unexpected places,” she said. “Where else can you grab a coffee, catch an R&B set in a barbershop, then wrap your day with a live show in a working distillery?”
Stratford Sounds is free, family-friendly and full of surprises. Whether you’re a music buff, a curious wanderer, or just looking for a great Saturday out – this is one gig trail not to miss.
Full program available at: https://bit.ly/3HZvqoW
