Folk, Family, and Fanning: A Masterclass in Australian Songcraft at On the Banks

The air at last night's On the Banks concert felt less like a standard festival and more like a high-end family reunion. From the first notes at 3 pm to the final rapturous applause, the event was a seamless celebration of storytelling, polished musicianship, and the deep-rooted connections that define the Australian music scene.

The Early Magic: Mooney and the Cassar-Daleys

The afternoon kicked off with Georgia Mooney, whose bubbly stage presence acted as the perfect icebreaker. A founding member of the ARIA-winning trio All Our Exes Live in Texas, Mooney accompanied her melodic set with a dulcitone — a rare, 19th-century keyboard instrument that uses hammers to strike steel tuning forks. Its bell-like chime provided a crystalline backdrop to her "folksy" set.

Following Mooney, the stage transitioned to a poignant display of lineage with Troy and Jem Cassar-Daley. Troy, a titan of Australian country with 40 Golden Guitars to his name, took a literal backseat at times to let Jem shine.

Polished Indies and the Power of Kasey Chambers

Melbourne's own The Paper Kites raised the energy with their signature indie-folk rock. After a brisk changeover, a familiar figure appeared: Kasey Chambers. Having spent her childhood touring the Outback with the Dead Ringer Band, Chambers brought that same raw, authentic spirit to the stage.

The Grand Finale: Bernard Fanning's Tea & Sympathy

The night belonged, however, to Bernard Fanning. Entering to a roar of approval, Fanning delivered a flawless performance centred on the 20th anniversary edition of his seminal solo debut, Tea & Sympathy. He closed the night with the inevitable "Wish You Well" — a song that has become a permanent fixture of the Australian songbook.