JOIN FOR WINERY TOUR AND INDOOR SHOWS
February 2017!
In one of the upcoming summer’s more captivating tours, the majestic Simple Minds will team with the party vibes of The B-52s for a huge Australian tour in February 2017.
Both bands, who are much-loved by Australian fans, will roam through a day on the green wineries nationally and Melbourne & Sydney indoor shows.
Scotland’s Simple Minds and Athens, Georgia natives The B-52s may be from opposite sides of the globe, but what they have in common is that elusive combination of critical acclaim, cult status and mainstream success, including in Australia.
Australia was the first country in the world to embrace Simple Minds, giving the band its first ever hit single ‘Love Song’ and first Gold album ‘New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84). The love affair has continued ever since through countless chart-toppers like ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’, ‘Alive and Kicking’, ‘Promised You A Miracle’, ‘Glittering Prize’ and ‘Waterfront’ spanning eight Top 20 albums and hugely successful concert tours.
Their 16th album “Big Music” released 18 months ago rekindled the band’s energy and attitude and won rave reviews:
“Their best album in 30 years.” (Mojo 4 stars);
“Simple Minds at their ideal fighting weight.” (Q Magazine 4 stars)
“Big Music is the genuine article: a remarkable record that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any of Simple Minds’ first five albums.” (Record Collector 4 stars).
“One of the world’s great live bands” (BBC)
After touring “Big Music” extensively, and buoyed by the record’s success, Simple Minds are currently working on a new album. They will be back on the road in 2017 with Australia one of their first ports of call, having not toured here in four years. Throughout their lengthy career, the band has retained its enviable reputation as one of THE great live concert bands.
Frontman Jim Kerr said: “It’s been said Simple Minds has a love affair with Australia and I think that’s true. It was the first country anywhere in the world to give us success and from our very first tours, we’ve always had a wonderful bond with Australian audiences. We have so many fantastic memories and can’t wait to be playing there again.”
When the B-52s – Fred Schneider, Cindy Wilson, Kate Pierson and Keith Strickland – toured Australia for a day on the green in 2009, the response was over-the-top! Irreverent and hugely entertaining, the band’s cosmic appeal was irresistible.
“Who else offers helium-voiced go-go girls, a camp, barking (in every sense) frontman and sprawling sci-fi new wave? Yes, they look and often sound fantastic, with steely surf guitar riding waves of propulsive rhythms to the Love Shack and back. (SMH)
“With their big wigs, wacky tunes and goofball dance moves — all of which sit comfortably within the band’s friendly brand of psychedelia — their credentials as dance-floor favourites are impressive.” (The Australian)
“There are all the wonderful riffs and melodies which made the B-52s so danceable, so irreverent and so addictive.” (Your Brisbane)
The B-52s put Athens, Georgia on the musical map with their quirky and unconventional take on the new wave sound of the era. Their irrepressible live shows and massive hits like ‘Rock Lobster’, ‘Private Idaho’, ‘Roam’ and the barnstorming ‘Love Shack’, which notched up eight weeks at #1 on the Australian charts, have endeared them to audiences worldwide.
In January 2013 Keith Strickland announced that he had made a decision to stop touring with the band saying: “I will continue to be in The B-52s – I will just not tour. My barnstorming days have come to an end, but I wholeheartedly support Cindy, Fred and Kate’s decision to continue.”
The B-52s said: “It has been seven years since we have toured Australia and we are just thrilled to be returning! Yes – we’ll be coming back to ‘wonder down under’ on an amazing tour with Simple Minds. Come party with us!”
For a day on the green shows only, Simple Minds and the B-52s will be joined by two of the 80s most innovative and eclectic bands Models and Machinations*.
Models’ induction into the 2010 ARIA Hall Of Fame was recognition of the status this pioneering Melbourne band has always held. Emerging from the post new wave scene, Models’ produced ground-breaking albums ‘The Pleasure Of Your Company’ and ‘Out Of Mind Out Of Sight’ and singles ‘I Hear Motion’, ‘Big On Love,’ ‘Barbados’ and ‘Out Of Mind Out Of Sight’. Frontman Sean Kelly says despite the band regularly going “into hibernation”, they continue to enjoy recording and playing live.
Machinations reigned as one of the country’s best dance/funk bands through the 80s with hits ‘Pressure Sway’, ‘No Say In It’ ‘Average Inadequacy’ and ‘My Heart’s On Fire’. After a 12-year absence, they reformed in 2012 and have since played all-too sporadic gigs to ecstatic fans. They’re exuberant dance/pop will be the perfect way to start the day.
TOUR DATES:
A Day On The Green shows:
Simple Minds, The B-52s, Models and Machinations*
Thurs Feb 2 Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth WA (*Machinations not playing Perth)
Sat Feb 4 Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley VIC
Sun Feb 5 Leconfield Wines, McLaren Vale SA
Sat Feb 11 Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley NSW
Sun Feb 12 Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton QLD
Tickets from ticketmaster.com.au & 136 100.
All event info: adayonthegreen.com.au
Indoor shows (Frontier Touring):
Simple Minds and The B-52s.
Tues Feb 7 Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
Thur Feb 9 Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Tickets from ticketek.com.au & 132 849.
All event info: frontiertouring.com.au
TICKETS ON SALE 10.00am MONDAY AUGUST 22
simpleminds.com | theb52s.com | adayonthegreen.com.au | frontiertouring.com
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