Celine Dion sings 'You're the Voice' from Paris to Melbourne for John Farnham tribute
Celine Dion sang “You’re the Voice” from a stage in Paris straight into Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Sept. 20.
The remote performance was part of an all-star concert honouring the songs and career of Australian singer John Farnham. Dion appeared on screen from France, where she is performing a 16-date comeback residency — a run of shows in one venue — at Paris’ Plenitude Arena Billboard.
Farnham, 77, did not attend the Melbourne event due to poor health. The night was organised around him anyway. It was presented live at Rod Laver Arena and beamed into Hoyts cinemas around Australia.
More than 120 artists and musicians took part in the show, billed as Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert. It was produced by Cochrane Entertainment and TEG Dainty. More than 23,000 fans watched in Hoyts cinemas nationwide, and organisers said the concert will return to cinemas for an encore season featuring a re-edited version Billboard.
Dion closed part of the distance with a familiar song. She sang Farnham’s 1986 hit “You’re the Voice.” The track was released in September 1986, and the tribute doubled as a celebration of its 40th anniversary.
It was not the first time she had sung it with him in mind. In August 2018, Dion dueted with Farnham at Rod Laver Arena, performing the same song.
She was not the only international name on the bill. Keith Urban and Chris Martin were among the performers honouring Farnham alongside Dion.
What makes this stand out is the symmetry. Eight years after sharing the Melbourne stage with Farnham, Dion sang the same song back to the same room from another continent. For fans, this means two performances, eight years apart, now belong to one story.
