“There are no riches but the riches of love. And there's nothing you can't rise above". Whether it's the sustaining invocation to his young son, or the pain and desperation of our forgotten peoples, Les Thomas sings true to the heart of every listener. His intense lyrical style, and impassioned musical presentation enthral with deftly woven stories that we can't walk away from. His songs remain on our lips for days after they are heard. Les Thomas is the champion of generations of Melbourne songwriters through his renowned Unpaved Songwriter Sessions. And the passion he brings to writing and presenting the songs of our times is an experience you will feel rewards your soul, making him a must-see artist.

Les Thomas sets his lyricism to the sounds of country-folk and Americana while drawing inspiration from the likes of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Steve Earle as well as local legends like Archie Roach, Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly.

Coming from a culturally and racially diverse family background, and with decades of grassroots activism as a unionist and social justice advocate, Les has a strong and direct connection to his community in Naarm/Melbourne and beyond.

His music has always been in solidarity with the oppressed, refugees, migrants, dispossessed, socially excluded and marginalised peoples and a good proportion of his live performances have been at rallies, picket lines and on the back of trucks at protests.

His debut single 'Song for Selva' is based on a letter from a Tamil asylum seeker who had been detained without charge for 37 months. After strong community radio support for the song in the first week after its release, Selva was removed from Broadmeadows detention centre into "community detention".

Les is preparing to release his new album "All My Friends Are Superstars" in September 2023 with production by Stephen Grady (The Ahern Brothers). He'll be touring and promoting the album extensively over the following months and into 2024.

“Les Thomas's superpower is as a lyricist – simple yet sophisticated, accessible yet uncompromising, ultimately honest and always with something powerful to say.” Ruth Hazleton

“A superb artist. A real giver.” Tim Thorpe, Vital Bits, 3RRR

Alinta Barlow is a Ngunnawal singer-songwriter from Canberra. She started learning guitar at 15 and has since completed a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance through the University of Newcastle. Alinta loves sharing her stories through her original music with many themes of her connection to country in Canberra. Alinta has recently performed at the National Folk Festival, Multicultural Festival, supported Goanna band and very recently supported Yothu Yindi for their reconciliation concert at the Canberra Theatre. She also performs often at community events, playing both her own songs and cover songs with her own accompaniment on guitar. Alinta hopes to continue writing songs in the Ngunnawal language that reflect her experience with country and community.