Concerts & Workshops

House concerts

Bruce Watson’s music is about connecting. His songs are about experiences common to all of us. He can have you rolling about with laughter and move you to tears.

His style of performance is ideal for a small concert setting. He engages audiences by sharing personal stories about his songs. He brings the audience into the songs. Each performance is unique, as the intimacy of a house concert allows the audience to become an active participant in the musical experience.

There is nothing like the experience of being close enough to an artist to observe how they breathe life into a song, or to talk to them after the concert, and ask all the questions that the performance evokes.

All it takes is a room large enough to hold around 20 or more people.

Bruce has hosted concerts for other performers at his own house, so he understands them both as a performer and as a host.

Read more, including hints for holding house concerts, details regarding Bruce’s fee, and other useful ideas

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Children’s concerts

There’s a little bit of the child in all of us, and when Bruce’s inner child comes out to play, the fun is on for young and old!

Bruce entertains with all-original songs, with topics ranging from pirates, pet elephants, vampires, hippopotamuseseseses, toddlers-with-attitude, food and fun. And he asks the eternal question: Are we there yet?*

Bruce has raised four children of his own, so he has had endless inspiration! He understands children. His show is primarily aimed at primary school aged children, but he tailors his show to any age group. While his material is designed for children, adults also love his shows, appreciating them on a different level.

Children delight in Bruce Watson’s songs and antics, with plenty of action on stage and audience involvement.

He has performed his children’s shows at festivals, schools and kindergartens throughout Australia.

PS. BYO knock knock jokes!

* The answer, of course, is NO!

Bruce Watson soon had happy clapping happening,
and kids obviously related with great enjoyment and hilarity.
Dot Dawson
St Albans Folk Festival

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Theme concerts

Bruce has a number of themed concerts on offer for festivals or other occasions.

Our Land, Our People

Songs of Australian life, from the outback to the city, from the Dreaming to the 21st century. This concert takes you on a journey, sometimes confronting, sometimes hilarious, through our history and our way of life.
(with or without slideshow)

Lest We Forget

In the 100 years since the ANZAC campaign at Gallipoli Australia has grown, struggled, and created a unique identity. The effects of war and peace permeate our culture, from the frontier wars to two World Wars and post-war immigration. And refugees fleeing war and terror still seek to make a life here. This multi-media concert of original songs and evocative images will take you on a powerful journey.
(preferably with slideshow)

30 Songs in 30 Days: The Year of Wonders

During COVID Lockdowns Bruce wrote a new song every day for a month. Each day, he posted the new song on YouTube. He has since polished these gems and presents the best of these brand new creations in a special concert.

Songs of Life, Love and Laughter

A concert of songs to touch the heart strings, and tickle the funny bone with songs on big themes, everyday life’s little occurrences, and some just plain silliness!

Laugh Laugh Laugh

A feast of fun songs. Take a walk on the silly side!

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Special presentation:

The Man, The Woman and the Edison Phonograph:
Race, Technology & Song

Meet Fanny Cochrane Smith, the last speaker of Tasmanian Language, and Horace Watson, member of Tasmania’s Royal Society. Hear the moving tale of how their worlds came together, giving us the only sound recordings of Tasmanian Language. This multi-media presentation, full of surprising twists and turns, traces a powerful story of cultural loss & reclamation, genocide & reconciliation - and the power of song.

This gently-paced talk, with slideshow, video, live singing and story-telling, leaves people gasping, sometimes crying. It's perfect for presentation in libraries and similar community spaces.

Download brochure for more details.

Read about the background to this song.

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Workshops

Bruce is experienced in conducting workshops on a range of creative topics. Workshops can vary from a minimum of one hour to a series of sessions over several days, depending on the circumstances and setting. All workshops are designed for people with a range of experience and skills, and can be tailored to suit a particular target group.

Ukulele Fun – with songs that don’t suck

Join the ukulele tsunami! It’s the easiest, funnest instrument going, and you’ll be playing a tune in 5 minutes. And easy tunes don’t have to be dull and boring. Bruce is an experienced ukulele group leader of who knows how to make it easy – and fun (including for more experienced players).

View short video about Ukulele Workshops with Bruce Watson.

I got Rhythm, Uke got rhythm

Add spice to your ukulele playing by breaking out of your usual strumming patterns. Playing ukulele is so much more fun and sounds so much more interesting and funky when you can vary the rhythms. And rhythms don’t have to be complex to be effective and have impact. This workshop explores some simple but powerful rhythm patterns and techniques.

Ukeoke with Bruce Watson

Pick songs from a list of around 150 songs and Bruce will lead everybody playing and singing it together, with words and chords projected onto a screen, and a little instruction if needed. BYO uke or other instrument.

The Rules of Rhetoric: Ancient tips for modern songwriters

From alliteration to zeugma! They may sound like diseases but they are time-tested techniques of classical rhetoric. Take a tour through these terms to teach yourself new tricks, learning from the greats from Lincoln and Shakespeare to Lennon and McCartney.

Tickling the Funnybone: Writing funny songs

Everybody loves a good laugh. Sometimes singer-songwriters can get a bit introspective and serious, so a bit of humour can really win the audience over and give variety to any bracket. In this workshop Bruce will share some of the tricks in the trade and you will get a chance to explore how humour works. You’re sure to have fun at this workshop!

Songwriting Made Easy

There are three basic rules in songwriting – but nobody knows what they are! As a multi-award winning and much covered songwriter, Bruce’s philosophy is that we can all do it and will show you how — whether you’ve never written a song or have written lots but want some tips. This is a chance to explore some of the rules and how they can be broken! In a longer format (over one hour) we will actually do some songwriting in the session.

Imagine They Are All Naked: The Art of Performing

Many of us have the urge to perform, but find the prospect scary. Bruce has been performing his songs across Australia and overseas for more than 30 years. He will share his tips for dealing with nerves, playing to your strengths and addressing your weaknesses, stagecraft, building a set, dealing with sound guys, and more!

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