Based on the Bonus Podcast Episode: “Live from the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival: Chris Sebastian” – The Magic of Songwriting with Francesca de Valence

Francesca sits down with songwriter and artist Chris Sebastian at the 2025 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival to reflect on artistry, cultural influence, and the balance between vocal power and emotional restraint in songwriting. 

Chris is a powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist — crowned the winner of The Voice Australia Season 9 — with an extraordinary career spanning international touring, chart-topping releases, and collaborations across pop, soul and electronic music. At the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival, Chris brought both high-stakes artistry and deep generosity into the room, sharing this with our workshop participants and at our Concert and Conversation.

Listen to the full audio experience here, or read on for how you can be part of the 2026 festival.

The Whitsundays Songwriter Festival culminates in a special evening event: Concert & Conversation.

This is where audiences get to experience something truly unique — hearing the songs created during the festival performed live, often within 24 hours of being written.

The format blends performance with storytelling. Songwriters take the stage not just to play their songs, but to share the stories behind them: how the idea began, what happened in the writing room, and the unexpected turns that shaped the final song.

For audiences, it offers a rare window into the songwriting process. Instead of hearing only the polished end result, listeners get to witness the creative journey — the sparks of inspiration, the collaborations, and the moments when a lyric suddenly clicks into place.
For the songwriters themselves, it’s equally special. Performing a brand-new song so soon after writing it carries a sense of immediacy and excitement that is hard to replicate. At the 2025 festival, artists like Chris Sebastian brought these songs to life on stage, sharing not only their music but the creative spirit that made it possible.
The Concert & Conversation captures the essence of the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival: songs being born, stories being shared, and music connecting people in real time.

Join our 2026 Festival
If you want to be part of the 2026 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival and be mentored by our team of acclaimed songwriters, join us in Airlie Beach, Queensland on June 6. Click here for more information on the festival.