An Australian duo set a world record after traveling more than 700 kilometers to perform nine concerts within 12 hours. Despite facing several obstacles along the way, they managed to appear on stage for the final show on time.
Fathom, a dream-pop duo from Sydney, Australia, was officially recognized by Guinness World Records for performing nine concerts within 12 hours on 12 September 2026. They traveled through several towns in New South Wales before concluding their performances in Canberra, the nation's capital.
The band members are lead singer Cate Guirguis and keyboardist Jaxon Italiano. They had to meet Guinness World Records' conditions, which required each concert venue to be at least 50 kilometers apart and located in towns with populations exceeding 15,000. At least half of these locations had to be towns with populations of 100,000 or more.
Their route began in Singleton at 11:00 a.m., then continued to Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Penrith, Lithgow, Bathurst, and Goulburn, before finishing in Canberra. At each stop, they were required to perform for at least 15 minutes.
However, the journey did not go as smoothly as planned. Particularly between Penrith and Lithgow, the team had chartered a helicopter to fly over the Blue Mountains and avoid road traffic. Upon arrival, they discovered the helicopter was unavailable due to supporting firefighting efforts, causing a delay of about 30 minutes.
Their troubles continued during the flight from Bathurst to Goulburn when the chartered plane experienced an issue with the right engine propeller before takeoff. The pilot switched to a jet aircraft instead, resulting in another delay of approximately one hour.
Earlier, the band also dealt with traffic congestion on the M4 motorway between Sydney and Penrith. Despite these setbacks, they arrived at the final concert venue in Canberra and performed just 15 seconds before the 12-hour deadline.
Jaxon said the final part of the journey was very close. Both members admitted they initially aimed for 10 concerts but acknowledged that completing nine under the time constraints was a significant achievement.
Beyond setting the world record, Fathom collaborated with Beyond Blue, an Australian mental health support organization, to raise funds through the event. A portion of ticket sales and merchandise proceeds will support the organization and local bands that participated.
According to a report by ABC Australia, the event raised at least 2,200 Australian dollars, approximately 47,000 Thai baht. This amount was an early figure and may be subject to change.
The band members also wanted to support the live music industry, which has been affected by venue closures and festival cancellations recently. Jaxon noted that musicians face ongoing pressure to find work and generate income, which can impact their mental health.
After compiling evidence of their performances and travel according to the rules, the pair's record was officially certified by Guinness World Records.
. BBC
Click to read related news aboutInternational News