The acclaimed singer-songwriter Elvis Costello will return to the Hunter Valley in February and in keeping with the exuberant musicality that has defined his three decade plus career, he has some tasty treats in store for a day on the green at Bimbadgen Winery, Hunter Valley on Saturday 2 February.
The unabashed showman backed by the trusty Imposters – keyboardist Steve Nieve, drummer Pete Thomas and bassist Davey Faragher – will take audiences through the Costello musical encyclopaedia refresher course with a selection of classic hits.
His outstanding musical pedigree has inspired promoters to assemble one of the finest damn line-ups in a day on the green history. In a massive coup, the truly legendary original line-up of Sunnyboys will return to the stage for their first national tour in more than 20 years! Joe Camilleri will re-assemble the mighty Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons, the enigmatic Tex Perkins takes the saddle again with the Dark Horses while Sports ex-frontman, Stephen Cummings will make a rare concert appearance.
Costello’s 2004 a day on the green tour still rates as one of Bimbadgen’s finest, so salivate indeed for this eclectic bill promises to be one of the musical highlights of the summer.
Promoter Michael Newton said: “We have had some great shows over the past 12 years, with many personal highlights but this bill is definitely special to us. The shows we did with Elvis in 2004 still stand out as very memorable and to have the original line-up of Sunnyboys having done only a few shows in 30 years is really special. On top of that to have Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons reforming especially for the tour, plus Tex Perkins and Stephen Cummings and all on the one bill is a real treat for us. We’re happy to offer this great package of acts from only $99. It’s definitely a great value must-see show.”
ELVIS COSTELLO Elvis Costello has followed his musical curiosity in a career spanning more than three decades. He is probably best known for his performances with The Attractions, The Imposters and his concert appearances with Steve Nieve. In 2003 The Attractions were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while he has twice won the prestigious Ivor Novello Songwriting Award. The extensive list of performers that he has enjoyed collaborations with – including his wife, the jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall – and that have covered his songs reflects his interest in a wide range of musical styles. His internationally acclaimed music television series “Spectacle: Elvis Costello with….“ perhaps best showcases this uniquely qualified musician, a songwriter and performer comfortable in almost every genre imaginable and a musicologist of formidable breadth and knowledge.
SUNNYBOYS In April this year the four original members of Sunnyboys – Jeremy and Peter Oxley, Richard Burgman and Bill Bilson – played for the first time in 21 years as guests of the Hoodoo Gurus Dig It Up! Invitational. The band played with the same verve, intensity and joy as they had in their heyday and the seeds were undeniably sown for a return. Although their career was short lived (1980 – 1984), Sunnyboys are one of the most highly regarded and best loved of our post punk bands, whose influence cannot be underestimated. How good it will be to hear ‘Happy Man’, ‘Alone With You’ etc again! To coincide with the tour, there will be a long-overdue overhaul of Sunnyboys recorded output with a re-release campaign due to begin early 2013.
JO JO ZEP & THE FALCONS If Elvis Costello had an Australian brother, a kindred spirit if you will, it would surely be Joe Camilleri. Joe has written and recorded an enormous catalogue of diverse and wonderful music for an astonishing 45 years and shown fans and critics alike that he is a performer and songwriter with an undeniable energy and love for it all. Many musical incarnations have featured on Joe’s career dance card, but Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons may well be the best loved. Including Wilbur Wilde on sax and Jeff Burstin on guitar, the Falcons blitzed pub audiences like few others and provided classics like ‘Shape I’m In’, ‘Hit And Run’, and ‘Puppet On A String’.
TEX PERKINS & THE DARK HORSES Front man for the evocative soundscapes of The Cruel Sea and the hard edged pub rock of The Beasts of Bourbon, collaborator on the Tex, Don and Charlie outings, compadre to Tim Rogers on the TnT project and leading the Tennessee Four in the Johnny Cash musical ‘The Man In Black’, Tex Perkins has shown us many faces over the journey. Tex is now back to the lilting, dark country of Dark Horses, releasing a new album ‘Everyone’s Alone’ on November 2.
STEPHEN CUMMINGS In the two decades since The Sports disbanded, Stephen Cummings has spent years consistently releasing music for a living whilst also publishing two novels and a memoir. Stephen Cummings makes music for people who think they’re still into rock music. When irony is more common than reverb, it’s refreshing to see this unique artist on this extraordinary bill.
EVENT INFORMATION: a day on the green is a fully licensed event. Strictly no BYO alcohol. Food will be available on site or BYO picnic. Deck chairs and picnic rugs are recommended.
