Exclusive: Kate Ceberano has been a pillar of the Aussie music industry for almost 40 years, but there’s one thing that continues to drive her craft – serving a greater good.
It’s that mindset that is steering her upcoming Australian Made Encore Tour in September as well as her performance at a massive charity tribute event for her dear friend and mentor John Farnham, also in September.
Kate Ceberano says there’s a purpose far greater than her music as she leads up to her Australian Made Encore Tour. Gladys Smith
Along with a league of iconic Aussie musicians including Jimmy Barnes, Tina Arena and Keith Urban, Ceberano will perform at The Songs of John Fanham: A Living Legend. The concert that will raise money for Head and Neck Cancer Australia, a battle Farnham, 77, is himself facing following his recovery from mouth cancer.
Speaking of the event to nine.com.au, Ceberano, 59, said: “When an artist again serves a purpose that’s even greater than themselves and their own music, that is the ultimate gift, isn’t it?”
“Ask any, any musician, any sports person, what their finest moment is, it’s when they’ve been able to be put to use to serve society in some way.
“It’s valuable, and John, he’s a symbol great Australian character. So I love supporting anything that he’s had anything to do with.”
Kate Ceberano and John Farnham met in 1992 during casting and rehearsals for the hit Australian arena concert production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Farnham starred as Jesus, and Ceberano played Mary Magdalene in the rock Supplied
That idea her music is bigger than herself, the ticket sales or any awards, is what has carried Ceberano’s career success through decades.
When asked about her induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in June, Ceberano humbly said she was grateful but didn’t work for the accolades, instead she saw greater purpose in her songs.
“I think you’re there to be the voice of people who have doubts and deep concerns about the world around them, and you have to help them sing their way through that pain or at least um, make them happy when they’re feeling like they’re submerged in it.
“Artists have a very beautiful, difficult role in society, and it’s often underestimated.”
Ceberano saw great success with the first round of Aussie tour in 2025, hence the need for an encore that will span 31 dates
“Last year was an unexpected runaway success,” Ceberano said. “It ended up being the biggest rock move of my career. Coming back to do it again, and push it further, felt irresistible.”
The Australian Made Tour first launched in 1986 to 1987 alongside INXS, Jimmy Barnes and Divinyls, four decades later and Ceberano wants to feel these artists again through live musice.
“Being around Michael Hutchence was a great honour and in recent times, too, being on tour with Barnsey … you get to see a sort of side to these people through their music and I think what the audiences were responding to was my love of these people,” Ceberano told nine.com.au
Picture it, the year was 1987 and Jimmy Barnes, Michael Hutchence and Kate Ceberano were touring Australian Made. Supplied
Ceberano audiences were “just going off their nuts”, she knows it’s more her love of the people than the songs themselves that ignites crowds so much.
Her love of fellow artists is why it moved Ceberano so much when friend and musician Daryl Braithwaite, 77, announced his retirement in June.
The Pash singer was one of the first to offer a message of support to Braithwaite, who as someone of the generation ahead of her has been an idol.
“I can’t speak for him but bodies go through the machinations they go through. He’s made a decision, and it’s going to work for him, and he’ll probably go down the coast and live his surf life.”
There’s no slowing Ceberano down as she kicks off a 31-date tour ahead of her 60th birthday. Supplied
Still 59-years-young, Ceberano is looking forward to celebrating her milestone 60th birthday on her upcoming tour.
For her, it feels like hitting the bullseye.
“I feel like I’m in, I’m in this kind of moment where all the skill sets that I’ve been trying to put together has finally choreographed into this one power move, and I’m really happy.”