Come and enjoy an afternoon of music and stories of celtic, folk and Australiana.
Step into the world of HAZEL & The Thief, where Australian storytelling meets the raw energy of folk, all filtered through a unique alt-country lens. Hazel’s enigmatic vocals, Celtic influences, and distinct Australian accent weave emotionally charged narratives. Her sound innovatively blends traditional country elements with haunting melodies, rhythmic instrumentation, and introspective lyrics. Hazel & The Thief, is the stage persona of Heidi Luckhurst, a poet, storyteller, and musician with a passion for live Australian music. She’s known for her hard work and advocacy in the music scene, having launched venues and festivals and currently curating and producing over 100 major gigs a year at The Shed Theatre at The Pig & Whistle. As Hazel, she breaks genre boundaries, blending country, folk, and rock to create a sound that is both authentic and energetic. Her lyrics are crafted to have a visual impact, and she collaborates exclusively with seasoned musicians, affectionately known as the “Thief,” who love to “steal the show.” These collaborations lead to a dynamic mix of sounds, from fast fiddle and Celtic rock to harmonica and banjo. With a deep love for nature and a theatrical, “out-of-the-box” approach, Hazel’s music is defined by its quirkiness and visual storytelling, making her a unique and vibrant force in the music world. Hazel & The Thief released her debut album on Thursday September 11th. And has sold out her album launch concert with over 140 tickets sold before the album’s release. Her album made it to No. 1 on the ARIA Australian Country Album charts after its release. Since 2024, six of the singles from the album have achieving Top 10 success on both the AMRAP and official Australian country music airplay charts. It was produced by multi-award-winning Matt Fell and features an impressive lineup of world-renowned musicians, including Nashville guitarist Jeff King (Backstreet Boys, Johnny Cash, Faith Hill), guitarist Ollie Thorpe (Matt Corby, Tim Freedman), drummer Josh Schuberth (Josh Pyke, Fanny Lumsden), and fiddle player Luke Moller (Dolly Parton, Kasey Chambers). Whether it be a stripped back folk gig at an intimate venue, or a grooving alt-country/roots foot stomper at an outdoor festival, you can always expect energy, passion and good times when HAZEL & The Thief is on stage.
She has shared the stage with some of Australia’s most renowned musicians such as Mick Thomas, Luke O’Shea, Taylor Moss, Freya Josephine Hollick, Ella Hooper, Charm of Finches, Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham, Tash Sultana, Brooke Taylor, Karise Eden, Fanny Lumsden, and many more.
The future is bright for Hazel & The Thief. After a year of hard work and dedication, 2026 promises to be a breakthrough year as she brings her quirky, authentic songwriting and performances to the forefront of the Australian music scene. She has a new series called “I love going bush, campfire series”, which she plans to travel to popular and remote areas of Australia to write new music, something she has always wanted to do since she studied the story of iconic Slim Dusty back at university. Make sure you follow her social media channels to experience the authentic, behind the scenes and earthy content Hazel plans to share while exploring the Australian countryside.
QUOTES:
“She’s just incredible” – Fanny Lumsden “Hazel & the Thief… a remarkable presence in the Independent Australian music scene, seamlessly blending folk, country and rock into a captivating musical experience. If you’re looking for music that stirs the imagination, Hazel and the Thief is a must-listen.” - Karise Eden “Hazel wrapped us up in her gorgeous presence and sweet melodies that resonated long after she left the stage. We’re excited for the future of this engaging artist who lives the songs she creates.” - Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham “Hazel is a very promising newcomer in the underrated world of Aussie country. She’ writes mature songs with descriptive lyrics, and a long career may be on the horizon” – Country Music People
RECENT FESTIVALS - 2025 Melbourne Muster Horsham RegFest Melbourne ROAR Festival FIRELIGHT FESTIVAL – MELBOURNE - July Tamworth Country Music Festival
CREDITS: No. 1 ARIA Country Album - October 2025 People’s Choice Award nominee for “Most Promising Future Star” 2025 CCMA National Songwriter Nominee – 2025 Australian Songwriter & APRA nominee 2025 Australian Independent Country Music Artist – Nominee 2025 The Senior Academy of Country Music graduate 2025