Colin Hay’s Extensive Tour

After sold out launch shows here earlier this year to support the release of his acclaimed album ‘Gathering Mercury’ Colin Hay has gone from strength to strength in North America, selling out venues across the continent. This summer he returns to Australia for his biggest solo tour here in many years.

Colin Hay is a master of the one-man show. Armed with an acoustic guitar, his rich memorable voice, and decades of road experience, Hay is an entertainer in the true sense of the word. His show takes his audience on a journey through song and stories and if the reviews from his recent tour in the United States are anything to go by,that journey will be an experience not to be missed.

“Hay is a master storyteller of the hilarious kind. Mostly talking about the early days, his family, and life in America, Hay had the crowd doubling over with laughter for what seemed like half the show. Yes, we paid to hear that pure, raspy voice sing those incredible songs, but this was like getting two shows in one.”

Kevin Triebsch,The Atlanta Music Examiner.

The set list for his solo shows is meshed together with new tunes from ‘Gathering Mercury’, tracks from his extensive catalogue as a solo song writer and, of course, from his time with Men At Work.

“I’ve been singing, playing guitar, writing songs, and trying to entertain people since I was 14 years old.” Coin said. “I feel, at the present time, that I may, on any given night, be getting the hang of it!”

Inspired by the loss of his father, ‘Gathering Mercury’ reveals Hay’s emotional depth and musical diversity whilst captivating listeners with his optimism and quizzical, instantly recognizable voice and it has delivered some of the best reviews of his career.

“His endearing narrative approach and his genuine emotion backed with a lilting vocal throughout combined to make a fully entertaining experience.”

Drum Media

 

DATES

 

2nd Feb – Boathouse, Launceston TAS @

 

3rd Feb – Devonport Ent. Centre, Devenport TAS

4th Feb – Theatre Royal, Hobart, TAS

7th Feb – Lizottes, Kincumber, NSW

8th Feb – Lizottes, Newcastle, NSW

9th Feb – Lizottes, Dee Why, NSW

10th Feb – Canberra Southern Cross Club, ACT

11th Feb – Caloundra Events Centre, Caloundra, QLD

12th Feb – Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane, QLD

15\16^th Feb – The Basement, Sydney, NSW

17th Feb – Regent Theatre, Ballarat, VIC

18th Feb – Wangaratta PAC, Wangaratta, VIC

19th Feb – Riverboats Music Festival, Echuca, VIC

22nd Feb – Wellington Ent. Centre, Sale, VIC

23rd Feb – West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul, VIC

24th Feb – Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong, VIC

25th Feb – Playhouse Vic Arts Centre, Melbourne, VIC

 

Riverboats Festival Promises Great Line-UP

The Riverboats Music Festival is the Murray River’s premiere contemporary music event. Staged in the twin-towns of Echuca-Moama, the Festival takes place under towering river red gums in a natural amphitheatre next to the mighty Murray. Historic paddlesteamers meander past all weekend, and occasionally the cockatoos get a bit raucous at sunset.  The Festival features one stage (so there wont be any need to miss any artists) and plenty of room for dancing, brilliant artists and delicious regional food and wine. It’s probably one of the prettiest, inexpensive, laid-back, family-friendly festivals in Australia.

In 2012 the Riverboats Music Festival will take place from Friday, February 17 to Sunday, February 19, with future festivals held on the third weekend in February each year. It will take you around two and a half hours to get to Echuca-Moama from Melbourne, and there are plenty of great places to stay when you get here. Colin Hay, Mark Seymour, Tex Perkins & The Band of Gold, The Bamboos, Vika & Linda Bull, Lanie Lane, The Audreys, Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission, Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes, Ryan Meeking, Benny Walker, The Angel Voices Band The Bride Stripped Back.

 

Echuca Moama is 2 and ½ hours from Melbourne, up the Northern Highway.

 

• From the CBD travel up Sydney Road (or take Citylink / Western Ring Road) and get onto the Hume Highway
• Take the Wallan / Kilmore exit and travel up the Northern highway through Wallan, Kilmore, Heathcote and onto Elmore, following the signs all the way to Echuca
• Once in town, follow the blue tourist information signs to the Echuca-Moama Visitor Information Centre – the Festival Hub is right next door on Heygarth Street

 

Queenscliff’s Great Line-Up

The first round of artists for this year’s Queenscliff Music Festival have been revealed as well as a number of exciting, new announcements.The 2010 festival line up when completed will deliver over 80 acts presenting 150 performances in 13 venues across Queenscliff on the weekend of 26-27-28 November.

New Festival Director, Michael Carrucan, has added a new stage called The Crossing Stage, and ensured everything kicks off well with The Lighthouse Stage opening a day earlier to encompass the Friday night.

In an epic summer weekend event that engulfs the whole of the town, Queenscliff Music Festival famously encompasses all types of music – blues, roots, rock, pop, soul/groove, classical, jazz, country, folk, world/reggae and acoustic – accommodating the tastes of young, old and everything in-between, in unexpected venues. This year’s Festival will be no exception with a line up which includes the following artists and shows:

Queenscliffe Music Festival 2010 first line-up announcement

RocKwiz Live
Kate Miller-Heidke
John Williamson
Little Red
Colin Hay
Washington
The Black Sorrows
Ash Grunwald
Mark Seymour
Shawn Mullins
Kaki King
Sally Seltmann
The Vasco Era
Mary Gauthier
Vika & Linda,
Gareth Liddiard
Katie Noonan & The Captains
Dan Kelly’s Dream Band
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Public Opinion Afro Orchestra
Mick Thomas & The Sure Thing
Pikelet.