Michael Waugh with Moonshine Coalition

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You’d be forgiven for thinking that you’d turned up to a fancy dress event at a Michael Waugh show – one where the theme is red and black checked flannelette shirts. “The Grateful Dead might have die-hard fans called ‘Deadheads’,” observed Canadian Folk Singer Scott Cook at a recent show with Michael, struck by a sea of these working man’s tops on a warm Queensland evening, “but Michael Waugh’s shows are swarming with ‘Waugh-heads.’”

Since his 2016 debut, Waugh has released three albums of deeply relatable, emotional story songs based on characters and events from around his home town of Maffra in Eastern Victoria. Fans of the singer-songwriter have rusted on to his uniquely Australian narrative style – and they proudly wear the red and black checked shirt as a sign of their connectedness – uniformed members of team Waugh.

Inspired by the Waugh-heads, Michael has kept evolving his storytelling style – painting evocative pictures of ordinary Australians, whose lives are celebrated in Waugh’s songs.

Moonshine Coalition

Formed in early 2015 by Max Lees and Annie Dixon and with the 2023 addition of Geoff Stokes, Moonshine Coalition perform an intoxicating fusion of Americana and Australian Frontier Music.

The trio has a strong focus on intricate 3-part vocal harmonies, which, together with Max’s National Resonator slide guitar, Annie’s crisp fingerpicking banjo style and Geoff’s mellow double bass, produce an original and enthralling sound.

They have received enthusiastic responses from audiences in Australia, Nashville and Berlin, who love their energy and passion.

With Max’s music and Annie’s lyrics, Moonshine Coalition write songs with inspiration from Australia’s past, blended with events from their own lives. Their inventive songs can make their audiences both laugh and cry.