Dive Deeper: Buffalo Country
Get ready for an epic, wall-to-wall musical journey, as Buffalo Country promises to be three hours of pure power celebrating a truly classic NT album. With full length sets by country music icons Shane Nicholson and Sara Storer as well as David Garnham & The Reasons to Live and featuring special guests The Choir of Man, Gleny Rae Virus and Sally Balfour, Buffalo Country is an all-star tribute to a Top End country music icon
A Three-Hour Tour de Force
This special Darwin Festival event celebrates the music of cult country figure Mark A Hunter, a man whose stage fright has only added to his legendary status. His songs have been played, shared, and revered, but rarely performed live. That’s what makes this night such a big occasion. Curated by well-known NT musician, David Garnham, the show brings together a bold vision developed over months: a large-scale, country-inspired concert set in the heart of Palmerston.
Songs with heart
The lineup features artists whose work goes straight to the heart. Sara Storer, based in the NT’s rurals, and Shane Nicholson from Melbourne, bring their distinctive songwriting voices to the stage, voices rooted in truth, storytelling, and a raw kind of honesty. David, a long-time fan of all three performers, describes their music as grounded, real, and unmistakably Australian. While Mark A Hunter won’t be singing himself (despite Dave’s repeated nudges), his presence is central. His songs, often about fishing, camping, love, and life in the Top End, have built a loyal following across the country. His album, Songs From The Buffalo Country, is a cult classic, passed around like a treasured secret among fans.
A celebration of Country Music
What makes this show different is the energy behind it. There’s no flash or ego here, just deep respect for the craft of songwriting. Mark, who lives quietly in Palmo, is the ultimate low-key legend. He’ll be there in the audience, quietly supporting, while others bring his work to life onstage. David has pulled together something truly special, not just a gig, but a celebration of storytelling and sound. With the commanding presence of The Reasons to Live as our house band, with the mighty Choir of Man and a setlist that cuts deep, this will be a night to remember. In David’s words: ‘It’s going to be off the chains musically.’ For fans of great songwriting, Buffalo Country is the holy trinity — stories, songs, and soul.
Buffalo Country – Book Now
Sat 16 Aug
Goyder Square, Palmerston
Written for Darwin Festival by Alyson Evans
