The band
Meet The Barnyard Band
We're The Barnyard Band, a five-piece modern country and country rock show band from Townsville, North Queensland. Out front is Laurence Sorbello, an award-winning entertainer and master of crowd participation, with Katisha Adelaide's fiddle and a tight band behind them. We bring the whole show: an 18,000 W PA, time-coded lights and video, all in our own trailer.
Five on stage and behind the desk
The lineup
Laurence Sorbello
Lead vocals & acoustic guitar
One of the most energetic live performers in the business and a master of crowd participation. Laurence is the frontman: an award-winning performer known for commanding stages, reading crowds, and delivering modern country with authenticity, humour and edge.
Laurence first made his mark on Australian Idol in 2004, reaching the Top 30 and singing "Boys from the Bush" on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. He came back to national TV as a Top 100 finalist on The X Factor in 2015. Since then he's played to crowds of more than 10,000 at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, made multiple appearances at the Tamworth Country Music Festival (including The Kernaghan Spectacular, two years), headlined the Charters Towers Country Music Festival in multiple years and recorded a category win there.
He toured for three years as a side act with comedy impersonator Fats Thommo, and has supported Troy Cassar-Daley (at Julia Creek Dirt n Dust), Mental As Anything, the Kernaghan family and Jimmy Little. In 2026 he realised a childhood dream, headlining the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo with The Barnyard Band.
Katisha Adelaide
Fiddle & vocals
Violinist, composer, singer and live-looping artist Katisha Adelaide brings a unique sound and energy to every show. Originally from Far North Queensland, she got her first violin at 16, studied in Sweden with renowned violinists and toured Europe with youth orchestras, then completed a Bachelor of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University.
She has performed in Kenya, Uganda, Thailand and the Philippines, played major events including the Ashes Test at the Gabba, and released the EP Kaleidoscope (2018) and the album Home Is Not So Far (2021). Katisha joined The Barnyard Band in 2025.
Steve Sparrow
Lead guitar & banjo
Steve picked up a guitar at 14 and cut his teeth in teenage bands playing Guns N' Roses and Metallica. In country, his heroes are Brent Mason and Brad Paisley; his favourite country guitar pieces include "Hot Wired" (Brent Mason), "Cluster Pluck" (Brad Paisley and friends) and "Country Boy" (Ricky Skaggs). Off stage, he's probably eating Weet-Bix.
Nick Gray
Drums
Born and raised in the Burdekin on his parents' cane farm, Nick has been playing drums since he was 10, inspired by his older brother's bands. His love of country music started camping along the Burdekin River in the back of a ute with good mates. These days he's solid on the drums, always up for a laugh, and proof that a kid from the cane fields can keep a beat just about anywhere.
Brendan Marolla
Keyboards & sound engineer
Brendan has more than 25 years in the music industry as a sound engineer and professional musician. He has produced more than 50 albums, EPs and singles, founded Bounce Recording Studios in Epping, Victoria, and has run live sound from pub gigs to outdoor festivals and stadiums. He also works for a national radio broadcaster on live outdoor and national sport broadcasts. Now based in Townsville, he runs the show's sound.
As seen live at
Where we've played
We've played some of the biggest nights in the bush, from the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, where the crowd at Buchanan Park topped 5,000, to the Laura Rodeo on Cape York.
Mount Isa Mines Rodeo · 2026
Laura Rodeo & Campdraft · 2024–26
Charters Towers Rodeo · 2026
Ingham Sugar City Rodeo · 2026
Bowen River Rodeo & Campdraft · 2024, 2026
Hughenden Show · 2024, 2025
Burdekin Growers Race Day · 2025
The Creek, Whitsundays
Herbert Hotel, Townsville · 2026Also: NQ Elite Rodeo · Mt Garnet Rodeo (2024) · Greenvale Campdraft (2025) · Bohle Barn Tavern (2025) · Julia Creek Dirt n Dust · Nebo Slouch Hat Campdraft (2024) · Charters Towers Country Music Festival · Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Laurence Sorbello
Career highlights
- Australian Idol, Top 30 finalist (2004), including the Grand Final performance on the steps of the Sydney Opera House
- Touring entertainer and side act with the Fats Thommo Comedy Show (three years)
- X Factor, Top 100 finalist (2015)
- Finalist & award winner, Charters Towers Country Music Festival
- Headline artist, Charters Towers Country Music Festival (multiple years)
- Tamworth Country Music Festival: multiple high-profile appearances, including The Kernaghan Spectacular (two years)
- Performed for crowds of 10,000+ at the Royal Easter Show, Sydney
- Major rodeos and festivals: Bowen River Rodeo, Julia Creek Dirt n Dust, Laura Rodeo, Mt Garnet Rodeo, Elite Rodeo Townsville
- Support act for Troy Cassar-Daley (at Julia Creek Dirt n Dust), Mental As Anything and Jimmy Little
Full production, in our own trailer
18,000 WRMS PA, built for crowds of 1,000+
We're a full-production act, so there's one booking and no juggling suppliers.
- Sound18,000 W RMS PA: 4 × QSC KW153 tops, 4 × JBL SRX828SP subs, 2 × QSC K12 foldback, run from an Allen & Heath SQ-Rack with Shure wireless, wireless in-ears and a UPS.
- Lights & videoA time-coded light show (Ableton + Lightkey) with moving heads, blinders, LED pars and upright smoke, plus a time-coded video backdrop.
- SpeechesA separate wireless speech mic for MCs, presentations and auctions.
- TravelFull production within reasonable driving distance of Townsville; Australia-wide fly-in/fly-out with a tech rider.
- SetsFrom G-rated, family-friendly shows to high-energy late-night rodeo and after-party sets.
What people say
Real Google reviews
"Awesome band great music."
"…man oh man did they perform! … They absolutely exceeded our expectations! They went above and beyond…"
5.0 from 5 reviews. Read them on Google
FAQ
Band questions, answered
Where is The Barnyard Band from?
Townsville, North Queensland.
Who is in The Barnyard Band?
Laurence Sorbello (lead vocals & acoustic guitar), Katisha Adelaide (fiddle & vocals), Steve Sparrow (lead guitar & banjo), Nick Gray (drums) and Brendan Marolla (keyboards & sound engineer).
What kind of music does The Barnyard Band play?
Modern country and country rock, with fiddle out front. Sets run from family-friendly to high-energy late-night rodeo and after-party shows.
Who is Laurence Sorbello?
The Barnyard Band's frontman. He was an Australian Idol Top 30 finalist in 2004, a headline artist at the Charters Towers Country Music Festival, and has appeared at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, including The Kernaghan Spectacular.
Does The Barnyard Band bring its own sound and lights?
Yes. We bring an 18,000 W RMS PA, a time-coded light show and video backdrop, all in our own trailer.
Does The Barnyard Band travel outside Townsville?
Yes. We bring full production within reasonable driving distance of Townsville and fly in Australia-wide with a tech rider.
Has The Barnyard Band released any music?
Yes: the singles "One Hit Wonder", which we debuted live at the 2026 Mount Isa Rodeo, and "Kini & Boots" (Radio Edit).
How do I book The Barnyard Band?
Use the instant price tool on our homepage, or email laurence@thebarnyardband.com or call 0422 163 165.
Want us at your event?
Rodeos, campdrafts, B&S balls, festivals, corporate nights and private parties. Pick your date and venue for an instant estimate.