Fresh from a standout victory at the CMAA Golden Guitar Awards, acclaimed country-folk duo Wicker Suite are capitalising on a career-defining moment, taking their award-winning live show to regional stages across Australia and New Zealand for the second half of their The Way That It Was tour.
The duo, comprised of Australian fiddler/neuroscientist Gabi Louise and New Zealand multi-instrumentalist/producer Liam Kennedy-Clark, recently secured their third Golden Guitar Award.
They took home “Instrumental of the Year” for their evocative composition “Lyrebird,” a win that has cemented their status as two of the most proficient musicians in the contemporary acoustic scene.
“Winning our third Golden Guitar feels like a real turning point for us,” the duo said in a statement.
“Last year, we decided to take a chance on ourselves while we’re still young, and this win has encouraged us to keep believing in what we’re building and to share our music with more people who love country, bluegrass and folk just like us.”
Before stepping into the spotlight as Wicker Suite, Louise and Kennedy-Clark were in high demand as freelance musicians, performing and recording with industry heavyweights such as Keith Urban, Lee Kernaghan, Beccy Cole, and Gina Jeffreys. Partners in life as well as music, the pair eventually chose to step out from behind other artists to craft their own distinctive sound – a blend of fiddle-led country and bluegrass anchored by intimate storytelling.
Their current tour, inspired by the legendary country hall runs of Slim Dusty, Joy McKean, and modern trailblazer Fanny Lumsden, brings this virtuosity to community halls and regional venues.
Known for shifting effortlessly between pin-drop silence and roaring energy, the show is designed to reflect the heart of their music.
Alongside the tour, Wicker Suite have released their new single, Younger Me, featuring multi-award-winning artist Ashleigh Dallas.
The track explores themes of growth, resilience and self-compassion, marking a continued evolution in the duo’s songwriting.
Momentum shows no signs of slowing for the pair.
With a new album currently in development and festival appearances on the horizon, they are also planning a spring/summer 2026 tour.
On a personal note, the couple is preparing for a major milestone off-stage as they plan to marry later this year.
Fans can catch Wicker Suite on the next leg of their tour, with upcoming dates including a performance at the Bruthen Mechanics Hall in Victoria on March 28.
For more information on tour dates and releases, visit Wicker Suite’s official website.
