A Uralla band has been names by MusicNSW as one of 15 regional acts selected to tour across New South Wales in 2025, as part of a unique touring initiative designed to build live performance experience, grow local audiences, and activate regional venues.
The Florin Arc, a four-piece band from Uralla, have scored one of the coveted spots on the tour after being spotted playing a live gig in Armidale. The band includes singer and pianist Alyce Forsyth, alongside bassist Heath “Beau” Forsyth, drummer Hugh Cook, and lead guitarist Kyle Gordon.
Now in its third year, the program is led by MusicNSW’s Regional team and supported by Create NSW and Sound NSW. It provides emerging artists based in regional communities with the rare opportunity to take part in professionally coordinated tours across five distinct routes throughout the state.
Ms Forsyth said she and Mr Forsyth began writing music together around six years ago, initially just for fun, but the project gradually evolved into a full band.
“We’ve been writing songs together for a while, and it just grew and grew, so then we got a band together,” she said.
The band’s selection came about after a performance at the Black Gully Festival in Armidale, where a MusicNSW staff member saw them live.
“That’s where the people from MusicNSW saw us play. You never know who you’re playing in front of,” Ms Forsyth said.
She said the band was thrilled to be selected and grateful for the opportunity.
“We were blown away. It’s always hard to get these opportunities, it’s really competitive, so we’re very grateful,” she said.
“It’s a really good thing to have on our resume, especially for an up-and-coming band.”
The Florin Arc will join solo artists Shelly Brown and Pam Hata on the Rising North Tour, one of several planned touring events.
“We’ll be the band on the tour, and the other two are solo acts,” Ms Forsyth said.
While exact locations and dates are still to be confirmed, the group has been told to expect three shows between September and November, likely across the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast regions.
Ms Forsyth said one of the best parts of the MusicNSW program is that artists are paid a performance fee.
“We organised our own tour a few weeks ago and it’s hard. You don’t get paid, it’s expensive, and it takes a lot of work,” she said.
“The MusicNSW gig is really nice for artists because they pay us a wage for each show. We really appreciate that.”
The tour coincides with recording for The Florin Arc’s debut album, which is currently underway in Sydney. Ms Forsyth said she is heading down soon to record final vocals, and the band is working closely with one of the head sound engineers from the Sydney Opera House.
“He’s helping us out a lot with our new sound,” she said. “It’s really exciting.”
More information about the tour and confirmed venues will be released in the coming weeks.
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