Back to His Roots: Budjerah on Faith, Family and One Sydney

14 June is shaping up to be something special in Sydney. The Sydney Opera House is hosting One Sydney, a powerful night where music meets meaning, bringing together some of the biggest names in music and worship as churches and artists from across denominations unite under those iconic sails.

One of the names on the lineup is Budjerah. You might know him from the charts, but this is a full-circle moment. Long before the stages and streaming numbers, he was growing up in a church where his dad was assistant pastor and his mum taught Sunday school. And on the night, he’ll be heading back to those roots.

Speaking on Hope Breakfast ahead of the event, Budjerah said the invitation was an easy yes.

“I sing secular music most of my time, but I grew up in the church,” he said.

“The idea of unity and coming together as one, all the different groups coming together, that’s always been something for me. Bringing people together through music, and for Christ, is obviously so important for me.”

“Bringing people together through music, and for Christ, is obviously so important for me.”

Faith has never been far from his daily life. One parent travels with him on every tour, and his band, made up largely of cousins, gathers to pray before every show. Those small rituals, he says, are what keep him grounded.

“We never forget where we come from because we keep it together like that.”

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Sure, he’s made his mark in the pop world, but the gospel roots have never left him.

“I sing pop music, but I’m always a gospel singer first. That’s how I learned to sing, and honestly, I find it easier to sing than any other kind of music. It just fits well for my voice,” Budjerah told Hope 103.2.

He also has a new album, Gentleman, dropping in July, four years in the making and built for his band to play live.

There’s a natural crossover in what he does, blending that polished pop sound with the soul and depth that comes from growing up in the church. Budjerah isn’t leaving one genre behind for another; he’s proving they can sit side by side, each adding something richer to the other.

For now, fans can expect something special on the night, with Budjerah hinting at a collaboration with a Pacific Islander choir that he says is “gonna be so much fun.”

His three words for One Sydney? Unity, together, hopeful.

“There’s all different denominations and groups of people, but it’s one message.”

“When we come together, you can say when two or more gather, but there’s gonna be a whole lot more. God’s definitely gonna be in the room. We’re all together for one reason, and we all know that reason is Jesus.”

One Sydney takes place on 14 June at the Sydney Opera House. For tickets and the full lineup, visit onesydney.org

Listen to the full interview with Budjerah in the player above.

Feature image: Supplied (Daniel Boud)