In one of the upcoming summer’s more captivating tours, Frontier Touring are thrilled to announce that the majestic Simple Minds will team with the party vibes of The B-52s for a huge Australian and New Zealand tour in February 2017.
Both bands, who are much-loved by Australian and New Zealand fans, will play indoor concerts at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena, Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, Auckland’s Vector Arena and Christchurch’s Horncastle Arena as well as roaming Australia on a day on the green winery show dates nationally.
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:
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.
When The B-52s – Fred Schneider, Cindy Wilson, Kate Pierson and Keith Strickland – toured Australia for a day on the green and indoor shows in 2009, the response was over-the-top! Irreverent and hugely entertaining, the band’s cosmic appeal was irresistible.
The B-52’s 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-52’s 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!”
Simple Minds & The B-52s
Thu 9 Feb – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, NSW (All Ages)
Tue 14 Feb – Vector Arena, Auckland, NZ (All Ages)
Thu 16 Feb – Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, NZ (All Ages)
A DAY ON THE GREEN CONCERTS
Simple Minds, The B-52s, Models and Machinations
Thu 2 Feb – Kings Park & Botanic Garden, Perth, WA
Sat 4 Feb – Rockford Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC
Sun 5 Feb – Leconfield Wines, McLaren Vale, SA
Sat 11 Feb – Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley, NSW
Sun 12 Feb – Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton, QLD