A years-long campaign by a Tasmanian bartender ended in a personal thank-you from one of Australia’s biggest pop stars, after Tones and I flew home from London to play a huge show in his small coastal town.
The Australian singer performed at the Ulverstone Sound Shell on May 2, drawing a crowd of up to 7,000 people to Tasmania’s north-west coast.
The concert was the result of a grassroots push led by 19-year-old Jyron Flannery.
Flannery had been chasing the singer since 2021 before formally launching his “Tones And I Come To Ulverstone” campaign in January.
Flannery, who works as a bartender while saving for his own food van business, said he wanted to bring live music to people who could not afford big city concerts.
His Facebook page and a Change.org petition rallied more than 3,200 supporters before the singer confirmed the date earlier this year.
“I am literally flying back for this show from London because I am a woman of my word,” Tones and I told her 611,000 Facebook followers when announcing the show.
In the lead-up, Ulverstone was temporarily renamed ‘UlversTones&I’ by Central Coast mayor Cheryl Fuller and Flannery, who were joined by a town crier to mark the occasion.
“So pleased our community’s campaign was rewarded,” Fuller shared after the show.
“Hope you felt right at home – in the town we named after you! Come back anytime!”
Flannery said the response had exceeded expectations.
“It started as an idea, but the support just kept building,” he said.
Following the show, he posted on Facebook thanking the community and the singer.
“Exactly what I dreamed of seeing actually happened,” he said.
“And wow … finally meeting my idol. So down to earth, so genuine.”
Tones and I replied directly to Flannery on Instagram the next day.
“It was so beautiful meeting you and your family Jyron. Thank you for bringing me out to your home town,” she wrote.
