THE QUARTET of winners of reality singing-contest “The Star” was back together again last weekend for a final concert.

Wichayanee “Gam” Piaklin, Jaruwat “Dome” Cheaw-aram, Napat “Gun” Injai-uea and Warawut “Tum” Poyim, who have worked together since 2013 and are collectively known as “Si Pho Dam” (Four Black Spades) – put on a great show in front of a filled-to-capacity Royal Paragon Hall on Saturday night.

The Four Spades perform “Chandelier” by Australian singer Sia Furler.

The three-hour concert was full of energy, excitement and laughter, although it also had its sad moments, the most notable when the four singers bade a tearful farewell to their fans during their finale. The musical backup was provided by Extra Band and three chorus singers while dancers from the D-Dance Troupe livened up the show.

Si Pho Dam had their first concert together in 2013 and went on to star in a musical sitcom on TV Channel One of the same name. The programme, which came to an end recently, was produced by Exact boss Takonkiet “Boy” Viravan, who the four singers regard as their showbiz dad.

During last weekend’s show on the theme “Oh My God”, the quartet covered many numbers by well-known singers – past and present – and also performed their own hits.

Actress Bee Namthip dances sexily while lipsyncing a Christina Aguilar number.

Among the songs covered were Palmy’s “Son Klin” (“Hidden Scent”), Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre’s “Tong Thot Dao” (“Blame It on the Stars”) and Oat Pramote’s “Tid Talok” (“Funny Man)” plus popular soundtracks from TV series, mainly from the Exact camp.

The four also sang their own hits. Gam wowed her fans with “Mai Mee Ther Mai Tai” (“I am Still Alive without You”). Dome mesmerised the audience with “Kham Athitthan Duai Namta” (“Making a Wish Tearfully”). Gun performed “Nueng Nai Pan Lan” (“One in a Billion”), and Tum sang his hit “Rak Jon Kwa Ja Ru” (“I Will Love You Until You Know It”).

Gam impressed the audience with her powerful singing and clear voice while Dome did better than two other male singers in projecting his voice and controlling his breathing while singing and also fared well when having to “duel” with Gam on duets that required vocals with a punch.

The chubby Dome talked about the criticisms that came his way after winning the singing contest in 2012, then sang “This Is Me”, a catchy and rousing ballad from the musical film “The Greatest Showman” aided by a group of young singers from Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind.

The performance was a powerful message of empowerment for the less privileged and people in need of encouragement and was rewarded with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Gam was up next and further impressed the audience with Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”. She was joined on stage by eight drag queens in colourful dresses who put on a truly magnificent show.

The Four Hearts in action

Actress Namthip “Bee” Jongrachatawi-boon was the Four Spades’ first guest singer, lip-syncing her way through Christina Aguilar’s “Mai Yak Rok” (“Not So Hard”) with panache and a lot of sexy moves. She then performed her hit number “Kae Krajok Kan” (Just a Glass Pane between Us), with occasionally shaky vocals, which she latter admitted were caused by excitement.

The quartet’s next guest singers formed a quartet of their own – the “Four Hearts” featuring Chalatit “Ben” Tantiwut, Mariam Grey, Suveera “Q” Boonrod and Uthai “Cake” Punyaman.

The two groups had fun with a singing “battle”, displaying the power of their voices both singing together and in pairs. Tum paired with Cake, Gun with Mariam, Dome with Ben, and Gam with Q. After a show by the Four Hearts that the Four Spades used as a much-needed breather, they were back for their last set, performing first a short comedy skit similar to their TV musical sitcom and following up with a medley of three dance songs.

The Four Spades and the Four Hearts onstage together

Then came the finale, when the quartet sang “Khob Khun Kan Lae Kan” (“Thanks to Each Other”), coming down from the stage to shake hands with fans seated on the aisle, then taking turns to talk about their six-year bond as friends, colleagues and “family” members.

Emotion threatened to take over and fans waved their phones in encouragement, their colour stickers forming a sea of multi-coloured lights.

All in all, it was an impressive farewell and The Nation joins their fans in wishing all four the very best in the future careers.

Designed to thrill Thai followers of idol groups or otaku as they are collectively known, Asia Festival 2019, held at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani last Sunday, brought together AKB48, the best known Japanese outfit of the genre, and six of their sister groups from all over the region. Yet despite a good turnout, the event was probably not quite the success organisers had expected to be.

The 19 World Senbatsu members make their stage debut.

“Everyone knows that there are many overseas sister groups performing in Asia. The Asia Festival 2019 is the first time they have been brought together on one stage to both delight Thai fans and share their experiences with each other. The festival will not be limited to Thailand and will be organised in other countries around the world. I can’t give you any more details as yet but I think you will be pleasantly surprised,” Nariaki Terada, director of AKS’s international business development and AKB48’s talent management company, told The Nation in a preshow interview at BNK48 The Campus on the fourth floor of The Mall Bang Kapi.

Terada’s idea of gathering seven idol groups from several countries in Asia – AKB48 from Japan, JKT48 from Jakarta, MNL48 from Manila, SGO48 from Saigon, and teams from Shanghai and Taipei – for the festival has been taking shape for the past year.

“The main objective of this festival is a cultural exchange,” he says. “But we faced problems in obtaining visas for the large number of members from all idol groups so they didn’t get to rehearse together as much as we would have wanted.”

As the model for overseas sister idol groups, AKB48 has retained its popularity both at home and abroad even though it has been going since 2005. Living up to the concept “Idols You Can Meet”, the group for this show was made up of Yokoyama Yui, Takahashi Juri, Okada Nana, Mukaichi Mion, Oguri Yui, Shitao Miu, Okabe Rin, Kuranoo Narumi, Kubo Satone, and Taniguchi Megu and they came together with the members of the six overseas sister groups – 76 in total – for the two openers – “Aitakatta”, the theme song of the group’s TV show “AKBingo!” and their anthem “AKB48”.

The festival also saw the Thailand launch of its official authorised mobile game AKB48 Cherry Bay Blaze featuring five characters inspired by AKB48 members Yokoyama Yui, Takahashi Juri, Mukaichi Mion, Oguri Yui and Taniguchi Megu.

BNK48’s Cherprang and AKB48’s Okada Namida sing “Temo Demo no Namida.”

“No other Japanese idol groups can be at the same level as AKB48,” said AKS’s Terada. “But because they have been so popular for more than a decade, AKB48 must always have new surprises for their fans and, most importantly, show that they cherish them.”

The concert continued with individual shows from each country. SGO48 from Saigon was the first to come out on stage with “Shonichi” and “Shoujotachi Yo”, followed by AKB48 Team Taipei with “Mae Shika Mukanee” and “Sougen no Kiseki.”

BNK48’s Music joins with AKB48’s Oguri Yui and Chiu Pin-Han from Taipei on “Heart Gata Virus.”

Thai otaku cheered loudly when the 10 girls from AKB48 Team Shanghai came out on stage and performed “Love Trip” and “365 Nichi no Kamihikouki”, which was used as the theme song for the NHK drama, “Asa ga Kita”. Veteran member Shen Ying, a cute looking lass with glasses, was obviously a firm favourite with yells erupting each time a close up of her appeared on the screen.

The 10 girls from Shanghai get a big cheer from the audience.

Ten girls from MNL48 were next up singing and dancing in “Party ga Hajimaru Yo”, “First Rabbit”, and “Iiwake Maybe” with style but the screams that erupted when Thailand’s BNK48 walked out on stage made it obvious that this was the act fans had been waiting for. As they sang the three singles “River”, “Oogoe Diamond”, and “Kimi wa Melody”, the otaku of each of 16 members from the first and second classes of the Thai idol group competed for the loudest screams.

The 10 girls from Jakarta-based JKT48 – the first official overseas sister group of AKB48 and billed as a “unique idol group with Indonesian culture” – showed off their powerful vocals and good dancing skills in “Uza”, “High Tension” and “Flying Get”, the latter the first single in Oricon history to sell over one million copies on the first day of its release.

Idols from Taipei play games with fans.

Thai fans were also the first to witness a show by World Senbatsu made up from 19 girls drawn from AKB48 and its six overseas sister groups. They kicked off their set with “Heavy Rotation” then split into five mixed units. “Blue Rose” featured Pun BNK48, Cindy JKT48, Sheki MNL48 and Kaycee SGO48 attired in black rocker girl outfits; “Temo Demo no Namida” was made up of AKB48’s Okada Namida and BNK48’s Cherprang in blue; “Heart Gata Virus” starred AKB48’s Oguri Yui, Music BNK48, Chiu Pin-Han from Team Taipei; while “Endroll” featured Jennis BNK48, Mao Wei-Jia from Team Shanghai, Shani JKT48 and Abby MNL48.

“Tsuki to Mizu-Kagami”, meanwhile, saw Kaew BNK48 playing a white piano as Japanese vocalists Yokoyama Yui and Mukaichi Mion showed off their singing prowess.

The festival drew to a close with all the members of the seven groups back on the stage for “Kimi no Koto ga Sukidakara”, “After Rain”, “Everyday Kachusha” and “Sakura no Hanabiratachi” as pink paper flowers like sakura floated down from the ceiling.

And then it was time to say goodbye as the girls, now dressed in white T-shirts and denim shorts, joined the Thai otaku for “AKB Festival” and “Koisuru Fortune Cookie”.

It tuns from 8pm to 3am and entry is Bt600 a pop.

Find out more at (096) 649 6919.

All the way from Canada

Canadian duo Chromeo make their Thai debut show tomorrow night from 8 at BarBarBar at Arena 10 on Thonglor Soi 10.

Chromeo are best known for their elektro-funk with influences from blue-eyed soul, dance music, rock, synth-pop, disco and funk. Their studio albums, 2007’s “Fancy Footwork” and 2010’s “Business Casual”, were both nominated for a Juno Award as “Dance Recording of the Year”. The pair have also remixed for Lenny Kravitz, Tiga, Lorde, and Maroon 5.

Check it out at (085) 253 2000.

In tune with Markhese

DJ Markhese from the UK jets into Thailand to man the decks at The Club Khaosan on February 7 from 9 until late.

Fans can expect high-energy dance music with terrific lighting and laser shows.

Book your place at (02) 629 2255.

Spins from the south

DJs from Malaysia’s Kyo KL and veteran Singapore veteran artist Godwin P share the stage tomorrow night at Beam on the ground floor of 72 Courtyard on Sukhumvit 55.

Kyo has remained on the pulse of the global underground soundscape re-envisioning its European-influenced Asian sensibilities into a cinematic musical presentation.

Find out more by calling (02) 392 7750 or visit http://www.beamclub.com, Facebook.com/beamclubbkk and IG: @beamclubbkk.

Ready, steady, dance

Spanish electronic music icon David Penn comes to Levels Club next Wednesday for a night of tracks guaranteed to have the crowd on their feet. The DJ, who hails from Madrid, is the owner of Urbana Recordings, which is recognised as being one of the best House labels in Europe.

Tickets are Bt300 for male and Bt200 for female with one drink.

Book early at (082) 308 3246, or email: info@levelsclub.com.

“Space Mission”, the first ticketed concert performed by BNK48’s 50 members in both classes was staged at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, the day before last weekend’s Asia Festival 2019. But while it was a commercial success, the scope was simply too big for these young Thai idols.

Cherprang received the majority of votes in the “Senbatsu” election, which allows fans to vote for their favourite idol, and will take up centre position for the sixth single.

Some of the Thai otaku – as the fans are known – talked to this reviewer after the show. A couple told me that the overall concert wasn’t different from the shows at the BNK48 Theatre except for the larger-scale stage production. Others were critical of their insufficient skills in terms of singing and dancing. I couldn’t help but agree.

Cherprang and Music thrill fans in “Aitakatta” (“Yak Ja Dai Phop Ther”).

In line with the title, the magnificent stage was transformed into a spaceship on which the girls travelled into space together with the audience, the catwalks like spaceship legs branching out among the audience.

The mostly male audience let out a big roar as all BNK48 members came out on stage to perform “BNK Festival” before segueing into “Shonichi” (“Wan Raek”) and “Oogoe Diamond” (“Chob Hai Roo Wa Chob”). Cherprang, Music, Pun and Jennis then boarded two spacecraft and moved around the arena to “Aitakatta” (“Yak Ja Dai Phop Ther”), as the audience squirmed and strained in their seats to see them.

Kaew sings after playing the piano with Fond on “Anata to Christmas Eve” (“Kham Sanya Haeng Christmas Eve”).

The concert continued with “Mata Anata no Koto wo Kangaeteta” (“Khid Thueng”) with some BNK48 members dressed in white. That was followed by “365 Nichi no Kamihikouki” (“365 Wan Kap Khruangbin Kradat”) as fans shouted out their support.

Screams erupted as Cherprang – the favourite idol – and Music, both in them clad in blue costumes, joined up for “Temodemo no Namida”.

Noey, Minmin and Namnueng joined up for “Kiss wa Dame yo” (“Joob … Mai Dai Na”).

Pupe, Pun, Mewnich, Korn and Nat were then grouped together for “Classmate (“Puean Khon Phiset”), Kaew played a white piano as Fond sang on “Anata to Christmas Eve (“Kham Sanya Haeng Christmas Eve”), and Minmin, Noey and Namnueng sang together in “Kiss wa Dame yo” (“Joob … Mai Dai Na”).

Niky gets a surprise cake and birthday song from her mates during “Namida Surprise”.

The girls stuck to the set list, singing “Sakura no Hanabiratachi” (“Khwam Songjam Lae Kham Umla”), “River”, “Yume e no Route (“Muen Senthang”), “Tsugi no Season” (“Rudoo Mai”), and the closer, “Kimi wa Melody” (“Ther Khue … Melody”) as Noey boarded a spacecraft moving towards the audience.

All BNK48 members were back on stage with an encore featuring “BNK48”, “Namida Surprise” (“Prakai Namta Lae Roy Yim”) and “Koisuru Fortune Cookie”. And while the girls were performing “Namida Surprise”, Niky from BNK48’s second class was surprised with a birthday cake and a chorus of “Happy Birthday” to mark turning 14.

It was announced after the concert that in BNK48’s “senbatsu” – an election that allows fans to vote for their favourite idol – Cherprang received an absolute majority of 84,195 votes and would be in centre position for the sixth single. Jannis came second with 58,362 votes and Music third with 57,987 votes.

“I will do my best to prove myself worthy and thank the fans who have supported me all the time and given me a chance to reach this high point,” said a beaming Cherprang.

The music streaming service Spotify also takes the occasion of Chinese New Year to find out more about the relationship between your star sign and musical personality.

“Many Spotify users turn to music to make sense of their feelings. Our musical taste and preferences can reflect a lot about who we are, what we are doing, and how we feel at any given moment. We understand that with proper curation, music can enhance moods, or change them. With a dedicated team of global curators, Spotify contributes to diversity and cultural sharing of music and trends to deliver the greatest personal music experience to anyone, anywhere.” says Eve Tan of Spotify.

Read on below to see what music matches up to your horoscope.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Born under the fire sign, Aries are individuals who are independent, self-assured, and never shy away from an adventure. Just like their sign, they tend to thrive on upbeat music that keeps their adrenaline pumping. Tunes with a strong beat would appeal to their fiery nature.

Your Spotify Playlists: Essential Thai Pop, Hits and Viral and K-Pop Daebak

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Taureans are considered as stable, patient and reliable individuals. They respect traditions and lean towards pure and organic sounds. Musically, their preferences can range from ambient sounds to soulful jams.

Your Spotify Playlists: Lo-fi Beats, Chilled R&B and Jazz Vibes

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Geminis are versatile and highly expressive individuals. Fronted by Mercury, the planet of communication, Geminis tend to be inclined towards lyrically driven content. Rap music may be one genre they particularly enjoy. The twins also love to dance, so music with strong lyrics and a good dance beat is their go-to.

Your Spotify Playlists: Hip Hop Beats and Beats & Rhymes and Dance Pop

Cancer (June 21- July 22)

A sentimental and emotional sign, they relate most to music they can feel for. Cancerians are typically drawn to tracks with a strong backstory because it makes them feel like part of the song’s narrative. Love songs tend to be a favourite for this sign.

Your Spotify Playlists: Love…Feeling Good, Thinking of You and Songs for The Singles

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Leos are energetic, passionate, and full of life. They love the music they are able to belt out to, and you can bet they would be the first on stage during karaoke nights. From chart-toppers to OSTs, they know every word to every song.

Your Spotify Playlists: Karaoke Hits, Thai Pop Hits and Top Hits Thailand

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

Highly analytical and intelligent, this sign has a preference for calm, peaceful tunes that encourages them to focus. Many Virgos appreciate the sounds of nature and might be attracted to music spanning from classical to new age sounds.

Your Spotify Playlists: Instrumental Chill, Peaceful Piano and Nature Sounds

Libra (September 23-October 22)

Ruled by Venus, Libras are one of the most passionate signs in the Zodiac that thrive on communication. While they appreciate music in general, they connect well with love ballads on an emotional and intellectual front.

Your Spotify Playlists: Love…Feeling Good, Love Pop and Retro Romance

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Those born under this sign are known to be intense, and their music preference is no exception. They tend to develop deep, soulful connections to the music they listen to. From EDM to jazz, Scorpios favour complex melodies to work through their emotions.

Your Spotify Playlists: Jazz Pop, Electro Mix and Coffee Table Jazz

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Adventurous and known to take risks, this fire sign craves excitement to feel alive. Naturally, when it comes to choosing a soundtrack in life, Sagittarians gravitate towards high energy tracks. Get ready to put on your dancing shoes because they are always ready to party all night long!

Your Spotify Playlists: The Night is still Young, Party Life and K-Party Dance Mix

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Capricorns are generally family oriented individuals with a knack for anything old school. They tend to be drawn to music they grew up with at home and their preferences can range from classic rock to your top throwback Thursday tracks.

Your Spotify Playlists: 90s Thai Teenager, Thai 2000 Hits and Thai Rock Essentials

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)

Aquarians like living by their own rules and challenging the status quo with their unconventional tastes. Unsurprisingly, they are often jamming to indie or underground tracks. They enjoy the freedom to explore alternative sounds ranging across all forms of experimental music.

Your Spotify Playlists: Fresh Finds, Rock Hits and Alternative Beats

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

The most sensitive of all signs, Pisces holds a deep connection with music. Music serves as the perfect escape from their reality. The hippies of the signs, they’re generally drawn to indie music that is just a little off the charts.

Your Spotify Playlists: Thai Indie Hits, Indie Shuffle and K-Indie Picks

Sipiagin has 16 recordings under his own name, and he has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and Russia. He is known not only for his prowess on the horn, but also for his compositions and arrangements.

Tickets cost from Bt400 to Bt1,500 at Thai Ticket Major. Call (02) 262 3456 or visit http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

Voice of an angel

Soprano Pijarin Wiriyasakdakul, a student at the College of Music, Mahidol University, whose professional repertoire includes Frasquita in “Carmen”, Gretel in “Hansel and Gretel” and Madame Silberklang in Mozart’s “The Impresario”, will be the guest soloist with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Heaven and Triumph”, recital at the university’s Prince Mahidol Hall on February 8 at 7pm and February 9 at 4pm.

The programme includes works by Shostakovich and Mahler plus the traditional Thai tune “Thep Banthom”.

Tickets cost from Bt400 to Bt1,500 at Thai Ticket Major.

Music, kites and skimboard

Chang Music Connection presents Rimpha Music Festival 2019 at Khao Yai on Thanarat Road KM 21 on February 16 featuring a wide range of artists including Musketeer, Max Jenmana, Stylish Nonsense, The Layers, The Proper Clan, Pretty Punks, BKing, Cocktail, Slot Machine, Joey Boy, T-Bone, Twopee Southside, Tattoo Colour, Scrubb, Boom Boom Cash and The Raven Doll.

The event also offers an international kite show, a vintage market, and CLA Skimboard.

Tickets priced at Bt1,300 are available at http://onelink.to/rm94xg and http://www.AllTicket.com as well as through 7Eleven counter service.

Japan rocks

Sugizo – the Japanese rock guitarist of Luna Sea and X Japan – makes his Thai debut with the “Sugizo Live 2019 Cosmic Dance in Bangkok” concert being staged at Ultra Arena of Show DC on Rama IX Road on March 3 at 5pm.

Tickets are Bt2,000 and Bt2,500 available at http://www.OvdCoin.com or by calling (02) 203 04235.

Gypsies in their souls

Music and lifestyle festival Gypsy Carnival returns with a bang for its fourth edition at Ton Phueng Farm, Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi on February 9.

This year’s theme is “Treasure Mountain” and the lineup includes Poo Pongsit, Hugo, Greasy Cafe, Singto Numchok, Joey Boy, Polycat, Yellow Fang and Phum Viphurit.

Tickets cost Bt1,500 at Thai Ticket Major.

Once a year Parkes, a sleepy mining town in rural Australia, explodes into colour and song – a veritable Graceland in the outback hosting a five-day extravaganza to celebrate “the King”.

Diehard fans don their polyester jumpsuits, thick black wigs and gold-coloured necklaces, hopping on the “Elvis Express” and “Blue Suede Express” trains to the event, now billed as the southern hemisphere’s biggest tribute to the superstar.

The town’s transformation extends beyond the superficial – organisers estimate this year’s Parkes Elvis Festival generated Aus$13 million (Bt293 million) for the local economy as more than 27,000 people visited attending some 200 themed events.

“It’s just crazy,” says North Parkes Motel owner Andrew Porter of the frenzied growth in tourists.

“It’s just gotten busier and busier over the years. It’s helped the whole economy,” he adds.

Elvis, who died in 1977 aged 42, never travelled to Australia and the event, held to coincide with his January birthday, runs at the height of summer when temperatures top 40 degrees Celsius.

An Elvis fan performs at Central Station in Sydney before boarding a train to the Parkes Elvis Festival, some 300 kilometres west of Sydney.

But neither fact deters the fans: What was a sleepy summer period has turned into full occupancy during the festival. Accommodation is fully booked years in advance, caravan parks fill up quickly and sporting fields are packed with tents.

“A lot of people do come here and they spend a hell of a lot of money. I know that for a fact,” says Elvis Lennox, who changed his name from Neville Steven and has a huge collection of memorabilia that he exhibits in a private museum.

Parkes, which is some 300 kilometres west of Sydney, began as a goldmining town before becoming a flourishing farming community.

But by the 1990s, it and similar rural towns began to struggle as agricultural work declined.

Keen to draw in more customers during the quiet summer, when even townsfolk flee to the coast to get relief from the heat, restaurant owners Bob and Anne Steel organised a birthday party for their idol.

The first Elvis celebration in 1993 drew 200 participants, and the Steels had so much fun they made it an annual event.

At first there was little impact on the local economy, town mayor Ken Keith said. But as visitor numbers rose, so did revenues.

Parkes is now so full that towns up to two-and-a-half hours drive away have started to cash in by offering accommodation and transport for revellers who missed out on a place to stay near the festival.

“They get up at 5am, travel to Parkes to be here at 7am, leave here to go back after shows at midnight. It’s a big toll but they do it. It’s Elvis himself that’s drawing them here,” Lennox says.

The New South Wales state government is projecting an injection of Aus$43 million into the wider region surrounding Parkes this year due to the festival, a much-needed source of income amid a severe drought.

While locals still get work from the farming, mining and transport sectors throughout the year, the event has helped develop Parkes’ service economy – and its numbers.

The population has increased by four per cent to around 12,000 in the past decade, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in sharp contrast to the declining or static trend in other regional and rural towns.

Parkes has become a model for how rural regions can reinvent themselves, says University of Wollongong human geography expert Chris Gibson.

Inspired by the success, other small towns have started their own events such as the Abba Festival in nearby Trundle and the Bob Marley Festival in Kandos, adds Gibson, who has compiled a database of some 2,800 festivals across the country.

The Elvis festival has a uniquely Australian flavour.

“We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” says Keith, decked out in a sky blue jumpsuit, aviator sunglasses and pompadour wig as he dances with jumpsuit-clad Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack ahead of the event’s street parade.

This extends to the sporting field with another regular fixture – a rugby game – featuring teams of Elvis lookalikes all wearing copies of his trademark white jumpsuit.

“The festival’s celebrating an artist who has never visited Australia, let alone Parkes, in the depth of the summer heat where it’s really quite uncomfortable to wear polyester jumpsuits,” Gibson says.

“So that invites a sense of playfulness that’s really part of why it works so well.”

A growing number of young people are attending the event, but more than half of festival-goers are aged 55 or older.

“Some women have come out, tears in their eyes. And I asked them, ‘What’s the matter?’, and they said, ‘He’s not dead, he’s alive, you can see him in there!’,” Lennox said of visitors to his museum.

“I said ‘Yes, I know, we try to keep him alive as much as possible. He’ll never die while we’re alive.’“