Following the announcement that Colin Hay will be performing at Byron Bay Bluesfest’s 30th birthday, Colin has today announced he will also be returning to Australia with his merry band of immigrants for shows in Thirroul, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney in April 2019.
Colin Hay, best known as the frontman for Australian hit makers Men at Work, is receiving continued accolades, for his troubadour-style solo performances, spanning the last 30 years, with the release of his 13th, and critically acclaimed album, Fierce Mercy, as well as currently touring the world as a member of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr band.
Colin returns to Australia with his Los Angeles based band, including, from Cuba, SanMiguel Perez (guitar/tres/vocals), Yosmel Montejo (bass/vocals) and Jimmy Branly (drums). Rounding out the front line of the band, is Peru’s own Cecilia Noël (percussion/vocals) and Scheila Gonzalez (keyboard/ flute/sax/vocals) whose family hails from Guatemala. All these musicians are the real deal and are legends in their own right.
“Musically, Hay gives a bit of all of his career in the setlist and a lot of who he is personally between the songs … The show is like catching up with an old friend” – Noise 11
The 2010s have been breakout years for this career artist and has included performances on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live and ABC’s Greatest Hits; sharing the stage with Of Monsters and Men, Milk Carton Kids, Choir Choir Choir!, Kings of Leon; being publicly cited as an influence by artists as distinct as James Hetfield (Metallica), Jeremiah Fraites (The Lumineers), Troy Sanders (Mastodon) and The Infamous Stringdusters; as well as the completion of a documentary film about his career entitled Waiting for My Real Life, named for one of his best known solo recordings. Now finding himself in the unprecedented place of having both ’80s fame and a growing cross generational audience, it’s possible that Hay is having the time of his life.
Fierce Mercy, Hay’s 13th solo album released in 2017, was recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville and explores themes of love and loss, mortality, and even the odd UFO sighting, but always with the singular perspective and insight that define Hay’s work.
Alongside the thoughtful storytelling in his songs, Hay’s shows are peppered with hilarious anecdotes from his, often surreal, experiences in the world of rock music.
“Touring the land of the wombat and smashed avo toast is one of life’s great joys. Since we were last there, the Cubans have been hassling me, and asking when we’re going back. As it happens, we’re coming back in April ‘19, delightedly so I may add, and more than likely coming to a city within striking distance of where you be. We’re a touring band, and touring is what we love to do; it’s a way of life”, Colin Hay said. “Come join us for a good night out, what’s better than that?”
Special guests in Melbourne will be the wonderful Vika and Linda Bull. For 30 years, the glorious voices of the Bull Sisters have comprised one of the most distinctive, versatile and emotionally charged sounds on the Australian music landscape. Since their multi-platinum conquest of pop radio with the Black Sorrows in the late 1980s, the sisters have forged diverse pathways into soul, gospel, blues, country and the island music of their Tongan ancestry.
Opening the shows in Thirroul, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney will be the celestial Cecilia Noël.
Cecilia Noël is a bandleader, and enjoyed legendary status in Los Angeles and beyond, during the 90’s and 2000s. This was an Afro-Cuban inspired, salsoul funk extravaganza – a unique band, fronted by a uniquely talented woman, from the streets of Lima Peru. She is passionate, flamboyant, exotic, and most of all, a true music artist. Her last album, Havana Rocks, won the Cuban Grammy (Cubadisco) for Best International Album. She lights up every stage she steps on, and will open these shows with a mix of both traditional and original contemporary songs.
Fans seeking tickets for Colin’s shows are reminded to only buy tickets from the official ticket agents listed below so as to avoid “reselling” sites such as Viagogo who typically advertise heavily online and often mislead consumers into paying much higher prices than necessary.
General public tickets go on sale at 10.00am local times, Friday, 24 August 2018. On Tuesday, 21 August exclusive pre-sales for Colin Hay fan club members and venue/Ticketmaster members will commence at 10.00am until 10.00am on Thursday, 23 August.
Fierce Mercy is out now through Sony Music Australia.
Tickets on sale from 10.00am local times, Friday, 24 August 2018
Thursday, 18 April 2019
Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW
Support: Cecilia Noël
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 136 100
Saturday, 20 April 2019
Byron Bay Bluesfest
Tickets available from Bluesfest | 02 6639 9800
Sunday, 21 April 2019
Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane, Qld
Support: Cecilia Noël
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 136100
Tuesday, 23 April 2019
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall, Melbourne Vic
Support: Vika and Linda Bull
Tickets available from the Venue www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
1300 182 183 -and- Ticketmaster | 136100
Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SA
Support: Cecilia Noël
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 136100
Friday, 26 April 2019
The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra ACT
Support: Cecilia Noël
Tickets available from the Venue
www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au | 02 6275 2700
Saturday, 27 April 2019
State Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Support: Cecilia Noël
Tickets available from Ticketmaster | 1300 139 588
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