Watty Thompson live at Valentino Safe Co.

In a gloriously unabashed antipodean drawl, bush balladeer Watty Thompson explores themes of inward and outward love, togetherness, and a desire to strive and live beyond the material. It’s affirming, joyous and inspiring, all played out against a background of rollicking country flavoured Australiana folk.

Watty plied his trade for over a decade, treadin’ sticky carpets with various bands before making for the rugged coastland and the mountains of the Otway Ranges to bunker down and craft material for his dream project. As he wrote and gathered a cohort of friends around him, Thompson found he was creating something that held a new space for the listener. That space was one of love and empathy, where hard won experience could be readily shared, a space big on community, a space big on honesty, a place big on love.

Voted Music Victoria’s Regional Artist of the Year in 2023, Watty has connected with a growing number of believers through stellar showings at various festivals and sold-out performances across the country. This September, he makes his Tasmanian debut with a special performance at Valentino Safe Co.

Watty will be joined by special guest Saree Salter.