Ryan Adams

In only his fourth visit to Sydney since releasing his turn-of-the-century masterpiece Heartbreaker (2000), classic American songwriter Ryan Adams returns in inspired form for an Australian exclusive solo performance spanning his prolific career in the Concert Hall at Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 21 July, 2015.

Ben Marshall, Head of Contemporary Music at Sydney Opera House, said, “It’s a genuine honour to welcome back the directness & eloquence of Ryan Adams performing solo at the Sydney Opera House. Musically expansive and with an exceptionally devoted following, he has the rare ability to combine absurdist humour with absolute sincerity. Ryan’s deeply personal live musical expression is always essential and will sound absolutely incredible in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.”

Writing from an endless well of vulnerability that has drawn in Elton John, Emmylou Harris, Jenny Lewis, Norah Jones and Noel Gallagher, Ryan Adams released his self-titled album last year, welcomed with open arms across the globe. Nominated for three Grammy Awards and debuting at #4 on the US Billboard Chart and #10 on the ARIA chart, Ryan Adams (2014) saw the Jacksonville native take the tight focus of Ashes & Fire (2011) into a riff-ready collection that has courted his most immediate melodies yet.

After two sold out performances in New York City on the 15^th and 17^th of November 2014, the critically acclaimed career-spanning Live at Carnegie Hall (2014) was released, with the six-LP vinyl box set selling out instantly. Pitchfork noted on the recording, “..his selections here work beautifully with just an acoustic guitar as accompaniment… flawless.”

Ryan Adams has continued an American roadmap of rustic song-writing since the breakthrough ‘Oh My Sweet Carolina,’ from Heartbreaker (2000), and seminal ‘New York, New York,’ from Gold (2001) – both a heartfelt and moody alt-country styling that has seen comparisons drawn to the great heavyweights of American rock ‘n’ roll; “Adams is a better singer than all of Springsteen, Petty and Westerberg.”  (The Quietus)

Transcending on-stage cliché with a flair for comedic wonders between whispered devastations, the Grammy nominated Ryan Adams returns for a one-off performance of solo favourites, highlights from The Cardinals, rarities and reworks, all in the captivating atmosphere of the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.

Watch the official video for Ryan Adams’ ‘Gimme Something Good’ here

Frontier Touring are proud to announce that the great Ryan Adams along with his band The Shining will treat Australia and New Zealand to headline shows this July, joined by very special guest Jenny Lewis for all Australian shows.

This will be Adams’ first tour of Australia and New Zealand since 2012’s acclaimed sold-out Ashes and Fire solo theatre tour and his first time playing here with a full band in six years.

Adams’ diverse and prolific career has seen the release of fourteen albums since his breakthrough solo debut in 2000. Dabbling in punk, rock, folk and indie - whilst staying true to his alt-country roots, nine of his fourteen albums have placed in the Top 100 of the ARIA album charts.

Along the way, Adams has also collected numerous Grammy nominations, including the three he received this year for the aptly named Ryan Adams (out now through PAX AM Records). The album’s lead single - ‘Gimme Something Good,’ was the first vinyl single ever to reach #1 on the Amazon chart.

'This thing is a total knock out’ - Stereogum

‘Adams sounds like he’s in total command’ – Boston Globe

‘A gritty guitar-driven jam perfect for cranking on the stereo’ - Time

As well as the release of the full-length album, Adams more recently announced a 6-disc Live At Carnegie Hall vinyl box including complete recordings of his two sold-out solo acoustic shows from November, 2014.  Additionally, Adams continues to release singles as part of the PAX AM Single Series including Jacksonville, Vampires, Do You Laugh When You Lie, No Shadow, and Blue Light.

In celebration of his self-titled album’s release, Adams announced headline dates in the UK, US and Europe, as well as spots on the bill at Coachella, and Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival.

Reviews of his live shows cement Adams as one of the industry’s finest songwriters at the peak of his career:

‘The songs of Adams reach the head and the heart with emotional precision’ – Newcastle Herald

‘His voice in fine form: its warmth and character engaging; its underestimated technical skill exposed’ – Sydney Morning Herald

‘It was a great privilege to witness one of America’s great songwriters performing at the top of his game’ - Telegraph UK

‘It was damn near perfect. Fourteen years into his solo career, Adams may just be entering his prime’ – Pop Dose

Joining Ryan Adams on his tour of Australia will be singer-songwriter and ex-Rilo Kiley front-woman Jenny Lewis. Lewis last toured Australia as part of indie duo Jenny & Johnny in 2011.

Shortly after the release of Lewis’ 2014 album The Voyager, which was produced by Adams, the pair announced a tour of California together. Adams even covered Lewis’ track ‘She’s Not Me’ on the tour.

No stranger to working together in both a songwriting and live context, don’t miss the opportunity to see the duo bring their unique collaborative force to Australian shores for the first time.

With a massive catalogue of songs under his belt, seeing Ryan Adams is not only a nod to the past but a chance to see an artist who improves on perfection with every release. Secure your tickets now!