“warmth flecked with grit… beauty awaits”             

         rolling stone

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Nigel Wearne saunters after dark in the music of the night, blending blues, folk and country with a hint of New Orleans jazz. Gleaning diverse influence from Tom Waits, Joe Henry and Gillian Welch, he tells stories of forgotten rebels, wandering poets and his love of eggs. Nigel has toured Australia, New Zealand and Canada and he's performed at a long list of music festivals, including the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Adelaide Fringe and Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival. 

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From stories of social justice and observation, to emotional reflection and historical tales, Nigel draws inspiration from everyday people from all walks of life. Some songs are autobiographical and personal, but many are other people’s stories and an amalgamation of truth, observation, personal experience and fiction. For Nigel, music is a candid, human and important messenger for stories and moments in time.

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His sophomore album, Black Crow garnered wide critical acclaim including a 4 star review in Rolling Stone, a nomination for Best Country Album at the Music Victoria Awards and it debuted at #1 on the AMRAP Charts. Nigel’s most recent album Drawing Circles is a solo record that’s raw, compelling and reflective. A storyteller at heart, he paints lyrical pictures with “the narrative-fuelled prose of Paul Kelly”– Beat Magazine. “One of Australia’s emerging songwriters”– Tone Deaf.

 

Stay tuned for new music in 2022!

Check out Nigel's luthier work HERE.

2022 ACTIVITY

MAY – Folk Alliance International OFFICIAL Showcase Artist*Virtual

​SEP – Single Release

SEP – AmericanaFest Showcase, Nashville US

NOV – Single Release & AUS Tour

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2023 ACTIVITY

JAN – UK Tour incl. AmericanaFest UK

FEB – Canadian Winter Tour

MAR – Single Release & AUS Tour

APR – US Tour incl. MerleFest (85,000 pax)

MAY – UK Tour

JUNE – Album Release & AUS Tour

AUG – US Tour incl. Mile of Music (70,000 pax) and Philadelphia Folk Festival (40,000 pax)

SEP – US Tour continues incl. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (85,000 pax)

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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2021 – Folk Unlocked Showcase Artist*Virtual

2020 – Folk Alliance International Showcase Artist

2020 – Canadian Winter Tour

2019 – Folk Music Ontario Showcase Artist

2019 – Canadian Fall Tour

2019 – Folk Alliance International OFFICIAL Showcase Artist

2019 – Canadian Winter Tour

2017 – Triple j Unearthed Winner – Port Fairy Folk Festival Competition

2017 – New Zealand Tour

2016 – 'Drawing Circles' Double Album Release

2013 – Music Victoria Awards – Best Country Album Nominee for 'Black Crow'

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FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

2022 – Cobargo Folk Festival, Adelaide Guitar Festival

2021 – Port Fairy Folk Festival March Concert Series, River Folk Festival Concert Series

2020 – Cygnet Folk Festival, Blue Skies Music Festival (CANADA)*Virtual

2019 – Troubadour Festival (CANADA), Maldon Folk Festival, Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival

2018 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Cygnet Folk Festival, Wintermoon Festival, The River Folk Festival

2017 – Illawarra Folk Festival, Birregurra Festival, Blackwood Festival, Surrey Hills Music Festival

2016 – Adelaide Fringe Festival, Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival, Nightjar Festival, Wallaby Creek Festival, Tablelands Folk Festival

2015 – Blackwood Festival, Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival, Happy Wanderer Festival, Mount Beauty Music Festival, Yackandandah Folk Festival

2014 – Cygnet Folk Festival, Majors Creek Festival, Fleurieu Folk Festival, Newstead Live! Music Festival, Boolarra Folk Festival, Blackwood Festival

2013 – Wallaby Creek Festival, Wirrina Bluegrass Festival, Kingston Harvest Festival, Kyneton Music Festival, Avoca Music Festival, Fiddlehead Festival

2012 – Port Fairy Folk Festival, Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Black Mountain Unplugged, JamGrass Music Festival, Folk, Rhythm & Life