An extraordinary musical experience is set to build on a sold-out debut series in 2023- that attracted over 2,200 attendees – as the second Harbour to Harbour tour brings together two ancient musical traditions on a grand scale.
This tour will reunite the Lian Band, a leading folkloric ensemble led by Mohsen Sharifian from southern Iran, with Indigenous Australian artists William Barton and Aunty Delmae Barton, blending the soulful ney-anbān (Iran’s traditional bagpipe) with the deep resonance of the didgeridoo
Aunty Delmae Barton, the revered Bidjara elder, opera singer, and poet, will join the ensemble in Melbourne and Sydney. Audiences will experience a rich musical dialogue between Persian Gulf rhythms and Aboriginal songlines, revealing deep connections between two cultures separated by kilometres but united in spirit, story, and sound.
Mohsen Sharifian has dedicated his career to preserving and reinventing the folk music of southern Iran and founded the Lian Band in 1993, now one of the country’s most acclaimed traditional ensembles. Together with Lian band, Mohsen has performed in over 30 countries, captivating audiences with the energetic rhythms and melodies of Boushehr.
“Music is a universal language that brings hearts together,” said Mohsen. “Through the Harbour to Harbour tour, we share the sounds of Bushehr’s coastline with our friends in Australia. Collaborating with William Barton and Aunty Delmae is a dream come true. Together we build a musical dialogue between our ancient cultures, showing that art can unite us across oceans and generations.”
Mohsen is joined by his daughter Liana Sharifian, and vocalist Aka Safavi, among other traditional musicians from the Bushehr region.
Returning to the stage for a second collaboration with Lian band, acclaimed didgeridoo virtuoso William Barton reflects on the deep connection forged during their first encounter: “In that first meeting with Mohsen, even across languages, we felt there was heart and spirit there,” said William. “It’s going to be a profound concert, with Mohsen and his ney-anbān telling stories of his motherland. I’ll be doing the same, sharing that moment on stage with my mum, Aunty Delmae.”
The Bartons will share ancestral stories passed down through generations, and stories held in the hearts of mothers, carried forward through song.
Liana Sharifian, the first Iranian woman to perform on stage with the ney-anbān, Iran’s traditional bagpipe, continues to break barriers as she performs alongside her father. Her presence is both symbolic and groundbreaking, a testament to perseverance, lineage, and cultural evolution.
“This music, and all the melodies we play, are rooted in our culture and ancestral knowledge passed down from heart to heart, from the very first lullabies we hear,” Liana Sharifian said.
“The ney-anbān is traditionally seen as a man’s instrument, but I know many women who play it masterfully. My goal is to bring it onto the stage and turn the page to begin a new chapter where women feel comfortable and liberated to share their craft publicly.”
About Mohsen Sharifian & Lian Band:
Mohsen Sharifian is an award-winning musician, composer, and cultural ambassador from Bushehr, Iran. A master of the ney-anbān (Persian Gulf bagpipe), Sharifian has dedicated his career to preserving and reinventing the folk music of southern Iran. In 1993, he founded the Lian Band, now regarded as one of Iran’s most acclaimed traditional ensembles. Sharifian and LIAN have performed in over 30 countries, enchanting audiences with energetic Boushehri rhythms and melodies. Their work blends deep respect for ancient Persian musical heritage with contemporary creativity, embodying the very spirit of a progressive cross-cultural dialogue.
About William Barton & Aunty Delmae Barton:
William Barton is Australia’s foremost didgeridoo virtuoso and a proud Indigenous (Kalkadungu) artist. From the age of 11, he has honed the ancient art of didgeridoo, performing on world stages from the Sydney Opera House to New York’s Carnegie Hall. William’s compositions and collaborations (with orchestras, string quartets, and global artists) have earned him numerous awards and an Order of Australia Medal, all while championing the sharing of Aboriginal culture through music.
Aunty Delmae Barton often called Australia’s “Dreamtime Opera Diva” is William’s mother and an esteemed Indigenous elder, singer, poet and storyteller. Hailing from the Bidjara people of Queensland, she has mesmerized audiences with her rich vocals and spiritual songs. Together, this mother-son duo has performed internationally, weaving ancient Aboriginal stories and operatic vocals with the didgeridoo’s drone. Their combined artistry is a powerful celebration of First Nations heritage and its ongoing contribution to the world of music.
Tour Dates & Venues (June 2025)
Melbourne* Tickets
Friday, 6 June 2025
The National Theatre – 7:00 PM
20 Carlisle St, St Kilda VIC 3182
Adelaide Tickets
Saturday, 7 June 2025
Norwood Concert Hall – 7:00 PM
175 The Parade, entrance George St, Norwood SA 5067
Sydney* Tickets
Monday, 9 June 2025
Concourse Concert Hall – 7:00 PM
409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067
Perth Tickets
Friday, 13 June 2025
Octagon Theatre – 7:00 PM
35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley WA 6009
* William Barton and Aunty Delmae Barton will perform as special guests in Melbourne and Sydney performances.
