Maleny Music Festival’s youth showcase ambassador brushes up with megastar
Contributed by Meryn Cooper
FIFTEEN-year-old Conondale musician Henry Catania will headline and MC a brand-new Youth Showcase at this year’s Maleny Music Festival, fresh from an unforgettable moment with his musical idol Keith Urban.
Henry was celebrating his birthday at Urban’s Brisbane Entertainment Centre concert on Sunday, 17 August, when the country superstar noticed his handmade sign — a drawing of Keith bursting from a birthday cake. Urban jumped off stage to wish Henry a happy birthday, gave him a hug, and even grabbed his dad’s camera to snap a photo with him.
“It was such a surprise – I wasn’t expecting anything to happen,” Henry said.
“Keith is the reason I got into country music. Somebody Like You was the first country song I learned, and since then I’ve been writing and performing as much as I can.”
From strumming a ukulele around campfires at the age of three to performing at major festivals including Gympie Music Muster, Caloundra Music Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival, Henry’s rise has been steady and determined. Now, his talents have been recognised closer to home.
Maleny Music Festival has invited Henry to not only headline but also curate the Youth Showcase, which debuts on Friday, 7 November. Alongside his performance and MC duties, he has handpicked the line-up, featuring Fin Zerner, Grace Alexander, Gus Joyce, Jacob & Rudi, Jamayah, Phoebe Rose, and the Beerwah High School Stage Band.
Festival Director Rachel Clarke said the showcase reflects a new focus on engaging younger audiences.
“We wanted to create a platform for emerging artists to shine,” she said.
“Teenagers receive half-price tickets, kids under 12 are free, and our family-friendly HUB tent is packed with entertainment and activities all weekend.”
The 12th annual Maleny Music Festival runs 7–9 November at the Maleny Showgrounds, with three days of live music, workshops, street entertainment, markets, and food.
Tickets are on sale now: malenymusicfestival.com