Maggie Daley, Tones and I and Angie Pinney in Mackay, Queensland. Photo: Supplied.
Australian singer-songwriter Tones and I has selected Wollongong to host the second of her five-concert run on 27 February, with the venue yet to be announced.
The artist called on Australian fans to bid for their town to host a $10 all-ages concert, before later revealing she would choose five locations.
On Tuesday night (27 January) she announced “Wollongong!! You’re my second show! See you on the 27th of Feb!”.
Four Illawarra towns ran grassroots campaigns in a bid to get the chart-topping artist to the region, with Shellharbour, Kiama and Helensburgh also making Facebook pages and tagging the artist.
The Wollongong campaign was spearheaded by superfans Angie Pinney and Maggie Daley, with Angie admitting her reaction when she heard the news was “instant shock, followed by screams and jumping around with super excitement”.
She even has video evidence of the moment on the “Tones and I To Wollongong” Facebook page she created for the campaign, which has amassed more than 1000 followers.
“I was hoping for this, but not at all expecting it,” she said.
“It was an incredible moment, to be honest.
“My reason for bidding for Tones was that I am a superfan, and thought it would be a great opportunity to bring her to Wollongong – to my hometown.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would succeed.
“It is honestly a dream come true for me. To bring your favourite artist to your hometown is the chance of a lifetime.”
Angie gave heartfelt thanks to everyone who got behind the campaign, with the support revealing how her music touched people of all ages.
“You all gave a huge amount of support and you should be proud of yourselves. Well done, Illawarra,” she said.
“The music she creates has meaning behind every song, and the passion she gives while performing her songs is beautiful.”
And Angie should know, having travelled the country to watch the artist perform, including to Mackay, Queensland, Sorrento in Victoria and Young in NSW.
“I’ve attended many of Tones and I’s concerts – which she would confirm – ranging from full concert shows, to intimate pop-up acoustic shows,” she said.
“I love travelling around to watch her perform.
“I love her to bits. She touches my heart and I can’t wait. It will be an epic day, and she will light up the Illawarra.”
Catching up with Tones and I again in Sorrento in Victoria. Photo: Supplied.
Angie said despite having now secured the show, she’d love to see the Illawarra support the concert by purchasing tickets when they go on sale and “showing up for her”.
“That’s what she would like to see, the whole community coming together and enjoying the performance,” she said.
“Honestly, how lucky are we to have her in Wollongong?”
In a post on Facebook to fellow fans about the announcement, she said: “Pinch yourself guys, this is really happening.”
Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown was also excited by the news, having actively been campaigning through tagging, sharing and commenting on social media to get the artist to the city, not just because she has a family of Tones and I fans.
“We’re very excited that Wollongong was chosen but also pleased she’s decided to put five concerts on so some other regional towns will share in the joy,” Cr Brown said.
“I could see on social media and from the requests I was getting that there’s a lot of superfans here in the region.
“People were desperately trying to get her attention and tagging her in lots of posts, so full credit to the fans that made this happen.
“To be chosen out of all the cities is pretty special.
“I thought it was great how she engaged with the community and how they all rallied to the cry.
“Now we’re waiting on the details of where it will be.”
Cr Brown said she knew Tones’ team was reaching out to a few venues, but nothing was confirmed.
“She said there’ll be $10 tickets and an all-ages concert, which has my young family members very excited,” she said.
“I knew a couple of her songs, but I’ve not seen her live before. I’ll be trying to get a ticket.”
Tones and I will perform in Wollongong at a venue yet to be determined on 27 February.
