Middle of the Air Took Our Breath Away at Sydney Writers’ Festival
What happens when poetry leaves the page and finds its voice in music?
Audiences at Sydney Writers' Festival discovered the answer at Middle of the Air: Music and Lyrics, a special event presented by Red Room Poetry and ABC Radio National that brought together some of Australia's most exciting musicians, lyricists and storytellers for an evening of conversation, reflection and creative exchange.
Hosted by ABC Radio National’s The Music Show's Andrew Ford, the event featured acclaimed artists Ziggy Ramo, Leah Senior and Kate Fagan, who shared insights into the craft of songwriting and the enduring relationship between poetry and music. Together, they explored how rhythm, language and storytelling shape their work, offering audiences a rare glimpse into the creative processes behind some of Australia's most compelling contemporary music.
The discussion ranged from the technical aspects of lyric writing to larger questions of identity, authenticity and artistic expression, revealing the many ways poetry continues to influence and inspire musicians today. Throughout the evening, the artists reflected on their own practices, sharing stories about collaboration, creativity and the power of words to connect us.
The event formed part of Middle of the Air, Red Room Poetry's national music and poetry initiative developed in partnership with ABC Radio National. The project invites poets and musicians into conversation, and invites the public to submit work creating opportunities for poems to be adapted into original songs and shared with audiences in new ways. Following the success of the inaugural program, Middle of the Air will return for Poetry Month this August, with a new line-up of artists to be announced soon and the competition open for entries from August 1.
The evening also celebrated the enduring impact of ABC Radio National's The Music Show, one of Australia's most respected and long-running programs dedicated to music, culture and ideas. For decades, the program has connected audiences with remarkable artists from across Australia and beyond, creating space for thoughtful conversations about creativity and the stories behind creative work. Its commitment to championing artistic voices makes it a natural home for a project that sits at the intersection of poetry and music.
Explore the gallery below for highlights from the evening. Photography by Tawfik Elgazzar.
