Grammy nominated and Emmy Award winning artist Toni Childs is bringing her musical talents to the Ipswich Civic Centre for a special performance this Thursday.
The show celebrates the 30th anniversary of Childs’ critically acclaimed debut album Union, and will see the singer-songwriter play a mix of her best hits, as well as some brand-new music.
“I think of it as being like a chocolate box of memories, because you eat all of your favourites first,” Childs said.
“That’s what it’s like with this show. We play all the favourites first, except one lovely dark chocolate salted caramel treat that we save until the end.”
“Then we take a break, have a bit of a palate cleanser and in the second hour we’re into the new music.”
That new music will give fans a sneak peek of Childs’ upcoming albums, It’s All A Beautiful Noise, which will be released next year and Citizens Of The Planet, due to be released in 2025.
Ipswich is one of the last stops on an epic three month regional tour, which has seen Childs play for audiences all over Australia.
“This retrospective tour has had such a wonderful connection with the audience,” she said.
“It’s been so intimate, and comfortable – it’s like having a conversation with the audience.
“It’s really beautiful.”
With a career spanning more than three decades, Childs says she does feel a sense of nostalgia when playing hits like Don’t Walk Away, Stop Your Fussin’, Walk and Talk Like Angels, I’ve Got to Go Now, and Because You’re Beautiful.
But it’s the audience’s reaction that is most powerful.
“It’s amazing to see how my music has stood the test of time,” Childs said.
“Seeing how much the audience loves it- that’s such a joy.”
Born in America, Childs moved to Australia in 2012, lured to the Byron Bay hinterland by its similarities to her former home in Hawaii.
“I became a permanent resident last year,” she said.
“When touring all the nooks and crannies on tours around Australia in the past, I couldn’t believe how similar it was to where I lived in Hawaii- and I thought, if I move here, this is definitely the place for me.”
Of all her hits, Childs says her favourite song to perform is Walk and Talk Like Angels.
“I think it’s about someone who’s right with themselves,” she said.
“I really love that Aussie expression, ‘Fair Dinkum’, and to me, that’s what the song’s about – we all strive to be right with ourselves, and you can sometimes you can get ridiculed for that.
“But when we’re being ourselves, that’s when we’re walking and talking like angels, when we have that truth and that vulnerability.”
Toni Childs plays the Ipswich Civic Centre this Thursday, 4 July at 7.30pm.
Buy tickets online here.
