The third heat of the Passport to Airlie competition took place at The Jack Sunday 3rd of September. 6 musical acts competed including Amber Farnan, Enemy of Anemone, Tanya Ward, Aurelle, The Robert Cini Band and Pelicana.
To a packed crowd of punters Robert Cini debuted his band for the first time and placed first in the heat by the judges sending them through to the finals on Sunday 17th of September. Second place was awarded to Pelicana fronted by Steve Williams who will also go through to the finals.
The Robert Cini band fronted by Robert Cini on Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar and is completed by Tanya Murphy on bass and backing vocals, Max Koch on drums, Baz Koch on Electric Rhythm Guitar and Joel Devereux on Electric Lead Guitar.
Robert Cini is a multi-award-winning Singer/Songwriter from Innisfail. His deeply melodic songs, infuse genres of folk, blues, soul, pop, rock and country, and accompany a truly unique aura on stage and ability to capture audiences with his powerful soulful voice and intuitive guitar playing. (https://robertcini.com/)
The finals of Cairns Passport to Airlie will take place Sunday 17th of September at The Jack Hotel in Spence Street. Competing will be Hannah May and The Love Handles (from Heat 1), The Zephyrbees and Phoebe Over (from Heat 2), The Robert Cini Band and Pelicana (from Heat 3), along with Enemy of Anemone who won the Peoples Choice vote as a wild card entrant.
The winner of the Cairns leg of Passport to Airlie will win the opportunity to perform at the Airlie Beach Festival of Music in November. (https://www.airliebeachfestivalofmusic.com.au/passport-to-airlie/) The 2022 Cairns winners (The Abi Muir Band) performed on the festival main stage last November along with the other regional heat winners. They also scored a number of gigs throughout various venues in Airlie Beach for the duration of the festival.
Passport to Airlie is Australia’s largest live, original music initiative. Events are held in regional areas around Australia, allowing for a broad range of genres, participants and audiences. It allows for local venues to show their support of live and original grassroots music in their community.
Kris Hutchinson (Studio Hutch; MusicView TV) and Bobby Maguire (local legend and muso) are the hardworking duo behind the Cairns Passport to Airlie heats. (https://www.facebook.com/MusicViewTV/). Much appreciated support also from The Jack, Buzz Music and Cairns FM89.1.
Photo Credit – Trennt Cooper
