tour dates

Ballads by Candlelight March 2025

Newcastle

Sat 8th March
Christ Church Cathedral

🎟️ TICKETS 🎟️
Adelaide

Fri 14th & Sat 15th March
St Peter’s Cathedral

🎟️ TICKETS 🎟️
Hobart

Sat 22 Mar
St David’s Cathedral

🎟️ TICKETS 🎟️

Christmas Tour November/December 2025

Dates & Venues coming soon!

the band

The Idea of North — Australian a cappella at its finest.

A quintet of musicians, serious about their music without taking themselves too seriously. A bespoke array of harmony-loving vocalists, bringing meaningful music to humans around the globe. An act that audiences come to see for the music, and come back (with friends & family) to see for the feels.

With 15 albums, two ‘best jazz album’ ARIAs and 5 ARIA nominations under their belt, this group of singers have mastered the art of instrument-free performance. They really need to be seen to be believed, and believe them you will.

the singers

Emma Rule

Soprano

Emma developed a passion for harmony singing at a very young age. Graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts Music Theatre program in 2006, she worked as an entertainer for Disney Cruise Line for several years and wrote and performed her own solo cabaret show. Emma was a founding member of the Melbourne a cappella group Ginger and Tonic and performed with them from 2010 until 2016.
Emma joined The Idea of North on soprano in 2017 and continues to move audiences with her flawless and emotive singing. As well as her performance qualifications, Emma has a degree in Primary Education, and has lived a double life as a teacher and performer for the past decade.

Naomi Crellin

Alto

Naomi graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Voice from the Elder Conservatorium (University of Adelaide) after beginning on classical piano. Joining The Idea of North in 2002, Naomi quickly became a significant contributor to the group’s repertoire through her writing and arranging and has utilised her extensive choral training and experience in managing the group’s musical affairs and educational activities. Naomi is currently the director of the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz Choir and Nexus NDV – a high-level harmony singing experience for neurodivergent young people.
Covid gave Naomi the chance to return to tertiary study and receive her Counselling qualification. She now lives a happy double life as a musician and counsellor.

Nick Begbie

Tenor

Nick graduated from The Australian National University (ANU) in 1994 and has been singing professionally since his teens. Nick has been involved in a wide variety of musical groups: as a soloist and lead in musical theatre; fronting big bands and small jazz ensembles; and as a member of a broad range of a cappella groups. Nick is a founding member of The Idea of North, the only remaining original member, and the only member to have sung at every performance since TION's inception. Nick manages many of the group’s business affairs and has been a vital contributor in many off-stage roles as well as the charisma and energy for which he is renowned in performances.
Apart from his role in TION, Nick works as a professional photographer, a graphic designer and a home renovator.

Luke Thompson

Bass

Luke Thompson has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Voice from the Elder Conservatorium of Music (University of Adelaide). Luke is a renowned jazz singer and alto saxophonist, having performed at festivals and events as both a bandleader and ensemble member. He has performed with James Morrison, Don Burrows, Kate Ceberano, Paul Kelly, Paul Grabowsky, The Adelaide Youth Orchestra and the Mike Stewart Big Band. In 2017, Luke joined The Idea of North as their bass vocalist, contributing significantly as an arranger as well as being a wonderful soloist.

Kai Kitamura

Vocal Percussion/Baritone

Kai Kitamura is a Japanese vocal percussionist, singer, and educator who performs vocal percussion in both a cappella and instrumental groups. Kai studied drumming at RCC Drum School in Tokyo and was a member of 'Try-Tone', one of Japan’s most successful a cappella groups, for 11 years.
He has guested with legendary a cappella outfits The Real Group, New York Voices and Naturally 7. Kai became a permanent member of The Idea of North in 2017 having met and performed together at the 2014 Vocal Asia festival. Kai is also a member of Tokyo-based a cappella group ‘Hamojin’ and is the Japanese Artistic Advisor of Vocal Asia.

support music

Since recorded music became almost free and live performance has become the only way for artists to make an income, the demand for venues and services surrounding live performance has increased and pushed costs up. This makes every tour a financial challenge.

Many of you have asked how you can continue to support the group, so our GoFundMe page gives you a channel to donate to The Idea of North’s ongoing viability. Any donations received will go directly towards touring and running costs and is hugely appreciated. Your ongoing support helps us fulfil our mission of bringing high-quality, positively-affecting music to audiences across Australia and the world.

DONATE HERE

the music

For more than 30 years, we have had the absolute privilege of performing live and recording with some of Australia’s and the world’s best vocal groups, musicians, orchestras, vocalists and engineers. Feel free to peruse our catalogue below, and please accept our apology that not all of our recordings are currently available. We’re working on that!

LIVE, Actually

Recorded live across Australia, October/November 2023
• DROPS NOVEMBER 2024!!! •
Brick By Brick

Recorded at Mosaic Studios,
Melbourne, 2018
• STREAMING SOON •
A World of Christmas

Recorded Live at Hamer Hall,
Melbourne Arts Centre 2016

LISTEN HERE
Ballads

Recorded at James Morrison Studios, Sydney 2016

LISTEN HERE
HUSH 16: 'A Piece of Quiet'

All-original album Feat. The Idea of North, Lior & Elena Kats-Chernin

LISTEN HERE
Anthology (ABC 'best-of')

A selection of tracks from 2002-2013

LISTEN HERE
Smile

Recorded at James Morrison Studios, Sydney 2013

LISTEN HERE
This Christmas

Recorded Sydney, 2012

LISTEN HERE
Extraordinary Tale

Recorded at Barker College, Sydney, 2011

LISTEN HERE
Feels Like Spring

Recorded at James Morrison Studios
Sydney, 2010

LISTEN HERE
Live at the Powerhouse

Recorded Live at the Brisbane Powerhouse, 2006

LISTEN HERE
The Gospel Project

Recorded at Redsocks Studios
Sydney, 2005

LISTEN HERE
Evidence

Recorded at Redsocks Studios
Sydney, 2004

LISTEN HERE
Here & Now

Recorded at ABC Studios
Sydney, 2002

LISTEN HERE
The Sum of Us

Recorded at Tiger Studios
Sydney 2001.
• Currently unavailable •
The Idea of North

Recorded at the Canberra School of Music, 1996
• Currently unavailable •