Deni born singer back for his b’day

And it’s all happening on his 28th birthday.

Fresh off a tour of their most recent album ‘Rehearsal’, which finished in Brisbane, Skegss has promised a ‘fired up’ performance which will top the Queensland closer.

‘‘It was epic to finish in Brisbane; it was our biggest venue and there were no (COVID) rules,” said Reed.

‘‘But Play on the Plains will be way better!’’

The trio which includes Reed on lead vocals and guitar, Toby Cregan on bass guitar and vocals and Jonny Lani on drums, have all grown up in small towns and understand the importance of bringing music to regional communities.

‘‘There wasn’t much live music around for us growing up. You had to travel to go see your favourite band.

‘‘Tobes and Jonny were really into their music, even more than me when they were younger, so they have really brought that consideration and focus to the band.

‘‘It’s huge to have that exposure when you’re young, ‘cause you just soak it in.

‘‘Our favourite gigs are the ones in the country towns.

‘‘That’s where we make the most memories and get to connect with so many more people at those shows, rather than the shows in the city.’’

Reed hopes their music can inspire more people to start their own band, and bring more music to regional towns.

‘‘The regional shows are the ones where we get young kids, who saw us before, coming up to us saying ‘we started a band’ — which is really awesome, ‘cause then there’s more entertainment for the youth of that town.

‘‘If no one is doing it then it’s hard to keep the excitement.’’

Reed is especially excited to return to the town of his birth — where his parents Michele and Tony were teachers — and ‘‘take a trip down memory lane’’.

‘‘It’s a really surreal feeling — a full circle moment for sure,’’ he said.

‘‘When I saw the gig was in Deni I was like ‘hell yeah’, and then to see it was on my birthday... it was a no brainer.

‘‘It’s just going to be a big party.’’

Reed’s family left Deni when he was three years old, but he still has ties to the community.

‘‘Mum grew up in Deni and taught at St Michael’s and dad taught at Deni North,’’ said Reed.

‘‘I’ve got heaps of family friends still in Deni who are going to come to the show, so that will be awesome.’’

Reed said he was also very keen to be playing at such an iconic site for music — the Deni Ute Muster festival grounds — which he is already familiar with from his time in Deni.

Reed attended the first ever Deni Ute Muster with his parents in 1999, and is excited to be back at the site playing with his own band.

‘‘I’m looking forward to this more than Coachella!’’ he said.

After a forced break due to COVID, Reed said Skegss has loved getting back into performing live.

‘‘It’s a rare thing for musicians to be able to wind down and have a break, but it’s kind of made everything feel fresh again.

‘‘All of our old stuff feels new to us and we can’t wait to play them again.’’

For your chance to see Skegss, Spacey Jane, Amy Shark, Northeast Party House and more, head to https://www.playontheplains.com.au/ to purchase your tickets.