The B-52s - Australia and New Zealand 2009

The B-52s will roam around Australia and New Zealand later this year and the Scottish wonder twins The Proclaimers are also on their way (ahuh) for a fabulous November/December national concert tour.

Both bands will perform at ‘a day on the green’ winery events to launch the 2009/10 summer season and, in conjunction with Frontier Touring, will also perform theatre shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Geelong.

Both The B-52s and The Proclaimers are renowned for their charismatic live stage shows and raucous, uplifting music, so how much fun will this be! Mental As Anything, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary, will kick start all concerts (*except Melbourne and Geelong).

The B-52s – Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland and Cindy Wilson - put Athens, Georgia on the musical map in the late '70s, with their quirky and unconventional take on the new wave sound of the era. The band’s pioneering fusions of punk, new wave, vintage rock and electronic music all wrapped up in savvy hooks was an instant success. With three unique vocalists, they were an upbeat irresistible party band – and the world loved them!

1978’s ‘Rock Lobster’ single exploded in the US, and Australia wasn’t far behind. Their self-titled debut album yielded three Top Ten hits in Australia and with their colorful highly-stylised videos, they quickly became ‘Countdown’ favourites. 1989’s ‘Cosmic Thing’ album was their multi-platinum breakthrough with the irrepressible ‘Love Shack’ notching up eight weeks at #1 on the Australian charts.

The band’s brilliant live concerts have ensured a loyal audience all over the world, and with their last Australian national tour being 1990 (they played one Sydney show only in 2004) – Aussie fans have waited far too long!
Their current album ‘Funplex’ (April 2008 EMI) debuted at #11 on the US charts, their 2nd highest album debut ever, and is instantly recognizable as prime, yet contemporary, B-52s.

Very special guests on the tour are Scotland’s finest Celtic soul brothers The Proclaimers. Twins Craig and Charlie Reid charmed the world with their consummate pop songs, charged with emotional honesty, political fire and wit like the euphoric ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ and ‘I’m On My Way’, both massive his in Australia.

The brothers have played and conquered Glastonbury, V Festival, Isle Of Wight and Womad to name a few, their talent and charm irrefutable. Most recently their songs have been the inspiration behind the enormously successful and award-winning musical ‘Sunshine On The Leith’ first performed in Scotland in 2007, and continuing to play across the UK.
Always touring solidly, the band completed a 130 date world tour in 2007/08 before getting down to writing and producing their new album ‘Notes And Rhymes’ (Universal) released here on June 19.

Honest, hard-working and absolutely wonderful live in concert, The Proclaimers have not toured Australia since 2003, so are long overdue!
And to get the party started will be everyone’s favourite party band Mental As Anything. Celebrating 30 years since the release of their very first EP, the Mentals will kick-start all shows (*except The Forum, Melbourne and Costa Theatre, Geelong) with the classic hits from their new 2-CD set “Essential As Anything” (Warner Music).

Melbourne’s Hercules in NY will open The Forum and Costa Hall shows. After releasing debut single and EP last year, the guys are currently recording their first album of their electronic pop and sexy dance tunes.
So there you have it...... The B-52s, The Proclaimers and Mental As Anything – three of the world’s best party bands all in one night! Don’t miss it.

TheB-52s official website

The B-52s Myspace

Warner Music Australia website