On the 17th of February 2022, Ian Campbell Smith or more commonly known by his stage name ‘Fred Smith’ performed a charity concert for the recently evacuated Afghans in Canberra. The concert was devised by Smith who described the concert as “a wake for the mission in Afghanistan and an opportunity to welcome and embrace our new citizens”, many of whom were present in the near-capacity audience. The event was attended by MC Virginia Haussegger and Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Wahidullah Waissi.
Kabul fell to the Talban on August 15 2021, and with it the world witnessed the desperation of Afghan’s as they attempted to escape Taliban rule. Fred Smith along with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra assisted in the evacuation of thousands of refugees from Hamid Karzai airport.
The concert focused on Smith’s retelling of Australia’s 10-year deployment, which began in 2001 and detailed commentary of scenes from both the war itself to the horrible images of babies being passed over razor wire during the airport evacuation.
Music supporting the narrative was songs from the “Dust of Uruzgan” album. Firstly, “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, an outline of the advance of the rights of women, sung with simple beauty by Kim Yang. The title track and “Sapper’s Lullaby” both tell of the deaths of Australian soldiers. Ben Ranaudo’s story is relayed as if it was a mate outlining details to the officer compiling the report of his passing, whilst the lullaby is a moving tribute to two brave combat engineers who lost their lives as a result of improvised explosive devices in 2010.
Smith’s song “Live Like an Afghan” described the nature of the Afghan people, a race full of resilience and geniality marked by their mirth, grace and courteous nature. Moreover, his song “This I Know” was a disturbing story based around the “60 Minutes” expose of alleged atrocities and the investigations of the Brereton Report. Poetry interrupted the song as Smith recited his “Sparrows of Kabul”, a haunting commentary surrounding the withdrawal of the coalition forces and the consequential negative influence on the country. Two final songs, “Gates of Kia” and “Trembling Sky” brought to a close a concert of high emotion and feeling.
Fred Smith’s concert was an astute analysis of Australia’s 10-year involvement in the Afghan War from 2001 – 2021. The show reiterated the importance of Australia remaining engaged with Afghanistan and her people; who fight every day for their right to dignity and freedom. Smith’s concert through the power of music, now banned under the Taliban regime, reminds Australians all over the horrors of war and the beauty of peace.
Proceeds from the concert will go towards the education of the young Afghan refugees, support for housing and swimming lessons for young girls.