Legendary singer-songwriter Rodriguez is coming back to Australia for an extensive run of performances with his band this November and December. Rodriguez will be joined at all shows (exc. Perth) by fellow music luminary, Australia’s own Archie Roach.
The legendary self-taught guitarist’s love affair with Australia is no secret; Rodriguez first toured our shores in the late 1970s, long before the rest of the world caught onto his talent thanks to Malik Bendjelloul’s Oscar-winning film Searching for Sugar Man.
The Searching for Sugar Man. documentary follows Rodriguez’s celebrated history that began in the bars and clubs around Detroit in the 1960s. Drawing inspiration from the city’s post-industrial urban decay, Rodriguez recorded and released albums Cold Fact (1969) and Coming From Reality (1971) that largely went unnoticed in the United States.
Thanks to bootleg recordings and word of mouth, Cold Fact found its way to South Africa where its counter-culture lyrics resonated with the country’s politically-alienated youth. Without a telephone and working factory and construction jobs to support his family, Rodriguez remained oblivious to the fact that he was bigger than Elvis in South Africa.
More than four decades after the release of his debut, Rodriguez’s incredible vocal and musical skill is finally being heard by audiences throughout Europe, the United Kingdom and North America, including recent appearances at the iconic Glastonbury and Coachella festivals.
Lauded as the downtown Bob Dylan, Rodriguez’s blend of social politics, emotional insights and street observations, showcased in songs like ‘Sugar Man’, ‘I Wonder’ and ‘Cause’, vividly capture a certain time and place, all complemented by his impeccable voice.
Archie Roach is a soul singer in the true sense of the word. His lyrics are uniquely Australian yet undeniably universal and he is one of our most respected, beloved and admired singer/songwriters. Archie first came to the attention of most Australians with the release of his debut album Charcoal Lane (1992). The album launched his career and ‘Took The Children Away’, his own story of the stolen generations, heartbreakingly captured the human cost of government policy. He is that rarest of beings; one that sees beyond race, religion, gender and ideology.
It is with great pleasure that Archie Roach and band have been invited to perform songs from his forthcoming album Let Love Rule on this tour. Let Love Rule is Archie’s tenth studio album in what has become an extraordinary career – the new songs explore the theme of love. “I wanted to write about love, or a willingness to love all people,” says Archie.
Rodriguez’s most recent Australian tour in 2014 saw extra shows quickly being added in several cities to meet overwhelming demand, and the music icon’s return later this year is set to be just as highly anticipated. Act quick to secure your tickets!
The Return of Sugar Man Australian Tour
11 November – Lyric Theatre Qpac, Brisbane QLD
12 November – Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane QLD
14 – 17 November – State Theatre, Sydney NSW
19 November – Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley NSW
21 November – Derwent Entertainment Centre, Hobart TAS
25 – 26 November – Plenary, Melbourne VIC
29 – 30 November – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SA
2 Dec – Sat 3 Dec – Fairgrounds Festival, Berry NSW
5 December – Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
10 December – Kings Park & Botanic Gardens, Perth WA
www.rodriguez-music.com
