News: Simply Red To Tour Australia in 2015
4 min read
Thirty years after introducing a generation to the joys of soul music through their irrepressible, irresistible rendition of the Valentine Brothers’ recession-themed classic Money’s Too Tight (To Mention), SIMPLY RED are back with a world tour and a brand new album, ‘Big Love’.
Following a sold-out European arena tour, The Big Love Tour lands in Australia this February 2016, playing theatres (Live Nation) and four a day on the green events in VIC, NSW, SA and QLD.
The special guest at all a day on the green concerts is one of Australia’s most-loved performers, the fabulous Tina Arena, returning to the winery stages for the first time since 2010.
Also performing, and making her a day on the green debut, will be Natalie Imbruglia, the special guest for all Simply Red’s Australian tour shows.
Tickets for all shows will go on sale at midday on Monday September 14.
“I like an anniversary, and this is a big one,” says Mick Hucknall. “30 years! It’s incredible. What a great thing to celebrate!”
Following a tour of Australia and New Zealand in October 2010 which included a day on the green concerts, Simply Red finished its unbroken 25-year run with a farewell concert at London’s O2 that December. Fast-forward to 2015, and buoyed by the hugely positive response to their excellent new album ‘Big Love’ (Warner Music Australia), Simply Red will hit the road again, and in high spirits, playing all their classic hits. Fans will also rejoice at the release of ‘Song Book’, a four CD release with accompanying 36-page booklet celebrating 25 years of the band’s music.
Simply Red’s music has a timeless quality that has seen the band have top ten hits through the 80s, 90s and 2000’s, with album sales exceeding 60 million worldwide. The band’s 1985 debut album ‘Picture Book’ headed into a 60s R&B groove, featuring super hits Hold Back the Years and Money’s Too Tight (To Mention). 1987’s million-selling ‘Men and Women’ went towards funk, and the vastly successful albums ‘A New Flame’ (1989) – home to If You Don’t Know Me By Now – and the hit laden ‘Stars’ (1991) found the balance between pop and soul. When Simply Red veered into contemporary dance music with the number one hit Fairground and the 1995 album ‘Life’, they imbued it with their own, unique sound.
Now, with the band entering its fourth decade, Mick Hucknall prepares to set off on one of the biggest tours of Simply Red’s career with his sense of purpose clearer than ever. “We’re called Simply Red for a reason,” says the man with one of the greatest voices in soul music. “I want to keep it simple. Our fans know who we are. They have been loyal to us. Now I’m ready to go out there and give them what they want.”
a day on the green is thrilled to welcome Tina Arena back to Australian shores for the tour. Tina follows up her hugely successful platinum ARIA Top Ten album ‘Reset’ and tour with a new record ‘Eleven’ (EMI) released in November, the 11th album of her extraordinary cross-generational recording career.
Of course, it dates all the way back to Tina’s debut as a pre-tween nine-year-old starlet of the Young Talent Time television phenomenon; across her era-defining chart-topping records of the ’90s (1994’s Don’t Ask and 1997’s In Deep); taking in two best-selling French-language albums; two much-loved volumes of Songs Of Love & Loss; all the way through to her “comeback” album, 2013’s Reset, which spent months in the Top 10 of the ARIA album chart.
While there was a 12-year gap between Reset and Tina’s previous collection of original English language songs, 2001’s Just Me, ‘Eleven’ has arrived quickly. The lead track, a beautiful ballad I Want To Love You was released this week and today’s tour announcement will be great news for her many lifelong fans.
Natalie Imbruglia will be special guest at all Simply Red’s Australian shows. The pop singer’s debut album, 1997’s ‘Left of the Middle’, sold seven million copies worldwide and featured the single Torn, which hit No. 1 on multiple charts around the world, including the U.S. Billboard Top 40, and was certified platinum in the U.K. and her native Australia. With her latest album, ‘Male’, just out, her first since ‘Come to Life’ in 2009, Natalie is returning to live performance, also touring Europe and the UK with Simply Red.
Simply Red, Tina Arena and Natalie Imbruglia – don’t miss this all-star line-up under the stars this summer!
A DAY ON THE GREEN EVENTS:
Saturday February 13 ROCHFORD WINES, YARRA VALLEY, VIC
Sunday February 14 LECONFIELD WINES, McLAREN VALE, SA
Saturday February 20 BIMBADGEN WINERY, HUNTER VALLEY, NSW
Sunday February 21 SIRROMET WINES, MT. COTTON, QLD
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. For all event information, go to www.adayonthegreen.com.au
THEATRE SHOWS (LIVE NATION):
Tuesday February 9 KINGS PARK & BOTANIC GARDEN, PERTH
Tuesday February 16 PALAIS THEATRE, MELBOURNE
Tuesday February 23 “ON THE STEPS”, OPERA HOUSE FORECOURT, SYDNEY
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