Why Canberra will always love Kirrah Amosa

Posted on 7 March, 2019

When we last caught up with rising star Kirrah Amosa, it was in 2017.

The accomplished singer was beginning her year-long national tour with The Bodyguard musical alongside music names such as  Paulini, Kip Gamblin, and Prinni Stevens.

It was a big step for Kirrah to live away from her large family of eight.

Now 24, Kirrah has spent the last year touring, recording and writing, and living in her own Sydney apartment is not so daunting.

Yet the prospect to head home to headline at the Canberra Day concert at Stage 88 on Monday was too good to miss.

“I absolutely love coming home and the city is so cool now—it’s like a clean version of Sydney.”

Kirrah and her four dancers promise an entertaining 45-minute performance on Monday at 5 pm as the city celebrates its 106^th birthday.

Bring some tissues though, as Kirrah has revealed she is bringing her dad on stage to sing the duet “Shallow” from A Star is Born.

“I am so, so excited about that part,” she says.

Kirrah Amosa. Image: We Are Found Photography.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Music from the Australian National University’s School of Music, Kirrah has refined her style over the past five years during various performances and concerts across the country. She has travelled through Asia and in July heads to LA to meet some musical contacts who are keen to see where she can take her magical voice.

Yet she sounds a sombre warning for anyone hoping to follow in her footsteps.

“For every gig I have booked, for every radio appearance, there have been far more knockbacks. It is such a tough road to travel and the whole process of trying to forge a career in music is terrifying and exhausting.”

Yet there have been enough breakthrough moments to keep her motivated—including joining the Ministry of Sound’s Tour perform alongside Sam Sparrow, Alison Limerick, and Crystal Waters, and having her music played on stations including Double J.

And ultimately, Kirrah is happiest when she is singing.

“You know, I am losing sleep over how much I am looking forward to Monday!”

And while Kirrah is busy working across the country and possibly in the US, she has expressed a goal to play at her two favourite Canberra festivals—Groovin the Moo and Spilt Milk.

“Yep—I would love to play them—I would be back in a flash, go tell the promoters to book me!”

the essentials

What: Kirrah Amosa at Canberra Day celebrations
When: 5 pm Monday 11 March, 2019
Where: Stage 88, Commonwealth Park
Web: enlightencanberra.com

All images by We Are Found Photography.