AFTER wowing an international crowd at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Frank Yamma graced the stage at the Centre of Contemporary Arts in Cairns last night.

One of several talented musicians to perform as part of this year’s Cairns Festival, Yamma said London was full of energy but that he loved visiting the Far North.

"Adelaide is freezing now, so I wanted to get away into the nice tropical sunshine," he said.

Yamma performed a variety of songs from his new album Countryman, which was recorded in an old farmhouse near Goulburn in New South Wales and released in the UK in April this year.

Joined by Cairns performer Nikki Doll and a multicultural band, the songwriter and guitarist said his songs tended to pull the heartstrings of an audience.

"It’s an emotional feeling when I sing She Cried (a song from the album).

"Sometimes, the audience can’t even clap their hands, it’s really emotional," Yamma said.

"I can hear them sucking their breath in, 100 people doing it. It’s really amazing."

Rest is next on the cards for the musician, who is a traditional Pitjantjatjara man from Australia’s central desert, but not for too long.

"I’m on my way to Alice Springs to the Desert Harmony Festival, then I’ll go home and have a rest," he said.

"I’m looking forward to creating another album, that’s my future plan."

The Cairns Festival wraps up on Saturday.

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