Jayda D’Agostino marks an Age of Reason with John Farnham tribute show
Classic Australian anthems will ignite the Fringe World stage with Jayda D’Agostino’s tributary show Age of Reason – A Love Letter to Coming of Age and John Farnham. Packed full of fan favourite songs and personal stories, the show takes audiences on a journey of personal reflection and growing pains, set to music legend John Farnham. Age of Reason – A Love Letter to Coming of Age and John Farnham will be playing at Rosemount Hotel on Thursday, January 29, and Thursday, February 5, with tickets on sale now. BEC WELDON sat down with Jayda D’Agostino to talk all things John Farnham, self-rediscovery and the power of music.
Hey Jayda! Thanks for chatting with X-Press, and congratulations on your debut solo cabaret! How does it feel to have your first solo Fringe show?
Thank you so much! It’s been an exciting couple of months putting the show together—it’s always been a dream of mine to put on my own show at Fringe, as I love the festival and the vibrancy it brings to the Perth arts scene. To have a show at the festival this year singing the music of my favourite artist of all time feels very special!
That’s awesome! Your show is a love letter to coming of age and John Farnham. What was it about the experience of growing up and the music of Farnham that inspired you to write the show?
The music of John Farnham is a massive part of my life. We always had his live concerts playing on the TV and his vinyls on the record player. I have always wanted to share stories about the power of music and the joy that it brings me, and it felt only natural to do this through performing the music of someone who so heavily permeated my childhood.
John Farnham has an impressive discography that would take several Fringe shows to include. How did you narrow down the songs for your show and the story you wanted to tell?
Now this was a hard one! I consulted extensively with my incredible vocal coach, Susie Ahern, who works with the Farnham band, about which songs were an absolute non-negotiable, and she was a major help with narrowing down which songs to choose. In the end I think we’ve chosen a special list of songs that has something for everyone, including so many of my personal favourites. It’s a night to reflect on just how special this music is and to bring these songs to a new generation.
In your show, you aim to transform familiar anthems into raw, personal reflections on love, loss, and late-night overthinking—how would you describe the power of music in your life?
Music is everything to me! I am constantly listening to music, talking about music with my friends, and wanting to learn more about the art form. Music is a universal language—it has brought us together for generations, and in a world which can seem so terrifying, I am often turning to music for comfort—a theme which I focus on heavily throughout my cabaret.
You’re accompanied by a band of some of Perth’s most accomplished musicians! Tell us about your team and how they came together!
I could talk about this team all day! I am very grateful to have Alex Barker on drums, Lucy Browning on bass, Josh Fairweather on guitar and Jasper Lambert on keys—they are all incredible musicians and wonderful people who I have had the pleasure of working with, and so it felt only natural to bring together my favourite musicians to perform the songs I love the most! I also have the incredible Maya Surjan and Hannah Reader on vocals with me—Hannah and I actually sang together in our school’s rock band, and I have been itching to get back on stage with her since, so this felt like the perfect opportunity!
Your story of growing up, burning out, and finding your way back to your musical roots is definitely a relatable one—what do you hope audiences take away from the show?
This show is all about heart—the music that’s close to your heart and following your heart as you go through life, so I hope that audiences leave taking that sentiment with them! This show is also an absolute party—it’s hard not to want to dance and sing along to these classics we all know and love, so I want audiences to leave singing along and wanting the full John Farnham discography to soundtrack their life as it has mine.
You’re also an original solo artist, with your latest release, (How Do I Love You Without) Falling Apart, out now. How have your musical tastes influenced your own music?
John Farnham has always been an influence of mine vocally, even though I make music which, on the surface, can seem very different to his! The way he sings and the passion he puts into every performance are undeniable, and I want to make music in which you can hear the passion pouring through the vocals.
I have an extremely diverse music taste—but when I write, I am consistently listening to music and taking influence from the artists I love. I am always inspired!
Fringe World Perth brings together some of Perth’s best cabaret performers, with so much variety to choose from. What sets your show aside from the rest of this year’s catalogue?
I am very excited to be bringing you this music with a live band in an iconic Perth music venue! The show is heartfelt and deeply personal and truly feels like an extension of myself, which is the art that I always strive to make, whether it be in my original music or my cabaret work. I think this show has something for everyone—especially if you are interested in live music and love the music of John Farnham.
Thanks again for chatting with us! One more question, though it might be obvious: what’s your favourite John Farnham song?
Impossible question—I think you’ll have to see the show to find out!
Jayda D’Agostino’s Age of Reason – A Love Letter to Coming of Age and John Farnham hits Rosemount Hotel on Thursday, January 29 and Thursday, February 5, 2026. Tickets are on sale now from fringeworld.com.au
