This afternoon felt like being lifted into another dimension as Migrating Bird unfolded live on stage — a performance of rare beauty that blurred the lines between music, nature, and spirit.
At one point Véronique Serret described herself as “the bird that put all the sounds together,” and indeed, with her masterful artistry she did just that. Joined by special guests William Barton and his mother Aunty Delvin, the concert became both uplifting and haunting, their voices and instruments weaving a soundscape that echoed with the rhythms of the land. What emerged was not just a recital, but a musical conversation with nature.
Inspired by Australia’s landscapes and dedicated to the wisdom of the natural world, Migrating Bird bridges the gap between contemporary and classical music. Renowned violinist Véronique Serret — one of Australia’s most celebrated musicians — sings for the first time on her ARIA-nominated album, her voice rising as an offering to country and spirit. Barton’s yidaki (didgeridoo) added a deeply resonant layer, grounding the performance in ancient tradition.
The work was born during the pandemic years, when Serret found refuge in Brookfield and the forests of Mount Coot-tha. Deprived of society, she turned to Mother Nature as her teacher. That intimacy and stillness carries through every note of Migrating Bird, creating an experience of deep listening and quiet reflection.
With visuals by Samuel James, the performance conjured images as dreamlike as the music itself — at times reminiscent of the early work of Laurie Anderson. The result was an immersion into sound and vision that urged the audience to close their eyes, walk with the music, and surrender to the natural world it celebrates.
Migrating Bird is not only a concert — it’s an invitation to pause, to listen, and to reconnect with the environment around us. A truly moving and transformative experience.
