If there’s one thing to know about legendary local singer songwriter Josh Pyke it’s the he loves to tour. Having spent 2014 stunning audiences on his huge Lone Wolf Tour, he’s now back with an even bigger 2016 tour in celebration of the release of his gorgeous album But For All These Shrinking Hearts.
Kicking off in Sydney on 29th January at Twilight At Taronga, the tour will see Pyke hitting stages in Canberra, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Melbourne, Geelong, Adelaide, and before finishing up in Perth at the Astor Theatre on 20th February.
So to get in the mood for the road and to celebrate killer Aussie venues who do so much for punters and musicians, Josh has compiled a list of the best local ensues you have to catch a gig at in 2016.
Metro Theatre, Sydney
Address: 624 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Website: www.metrotheatre.com.au
Growing up this was THE venue in Sydney. I saw so many amazing shows at the Metro, and was always jealous of my friends who got to perform there. When I finally got the chance to play there it was headlining my own sold out show on the Memories and Dust Album Tour. It was a huge moment for me, and so I love this venue very much.
Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan Vic
Address: 97 Whitelaw St, Meeniyan VIC 3956
Website: www.lyrebirdartscouncil.com.au
This is a classic tiny town hall in a tiny country town in Victoria. The guy that puts on the shows does it all for the love and the shows sell out in minutes. It’s such a fun place to play, with the back stage room being the Hall’s kitchen and lounge section with an open fire place and 70’s couches. You get a home cooked meal, and some good whiskey on the rider, and the crowd sits at tables covered in checkered table cloths, with candles. It’s BYO from memory, and the crowds are warm and rowdy in the right proportion.
Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane
Address: 52 Costin St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Website: www.thetivoli.net.au
Such an amazing space to play in. Always so well looked after at the Tiv. It’s one of those venues where you feel like you’re playing a “concert” rather than a “gig”. The audience is split over two levels with a big viewing balcony upstairs, and the vibe is always electric. It’s a big grand old place, and I have some amazing memories of playing there.
Fremantle Arts Center, Fremantle
Address: 1 Finnerty St, Fremantle WA 6160
Website: www.fac.org.au
There are some awesome venues in WA, but one of my favourite all time gigs in WA was the Freo Arts Centre. It’s an outdoor affair, and the weather is pretty much always great there. There’s a natural, gentle slope down to the stage, and the crowd is contained by the walls of freo jail next door, and the arts centre itself which is a beautiful old limestone building. The rooms they give you as back stage rooms are purportedly haunted too, which is always a bonus in my books!
Fannie Bay Gaol, Darwin
Address: East Point Rd & Ross Smith Ave, Darwin NT 0820
Website: www.ntsearch.com.au
Definitely one of the more quirky gigs I’ve done, but hard to beat. The Gaol is in a great flat open space, so the gig is outdoors, and again, the weather in the dry season is pretty bullet proof. The Backstage room is the old Gallows room, (complete with de-commissioned gallows), which adds a kinda creepy vibe, but that all adds to the experience. The crowds in Darwin are always lovely, and the night sky there is one of the most beautiful you can see.
JOSH PYKE NATIONAL TOUR DATES
Friday, 29th January 2016
Twilight At Taronga, Sydney (All Ages)
Tickets: Twilight At Taronga
Saturday, 30th January 2016
Canberra Theatre Playhouse, Canberra (All Ages)
Tickets: Canberra Theatre | 02 6275 2700 | Canberra Theatre Box Office
Thursday, 4th February 2016
Studio 56 @ Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
Tickets: Oztix | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
Friday, 5th February 2016
The Triffid, Brisbane
Tickets: Oztix | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
Saturday, 6th February 2016
Star Court Theatre, Lismore (All Ages)
Tickets: Star Court Theatre | 02 6622 5005
Friday, 12th February 2016
Melbourne Zoo Twilights, Melbourne (All Ages)
Tickets: Melbourne Zoo
Saturday, 13th February 2016
The Wool Exchange, Geelong
Tickets: Oztix | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix Outlets
Friday, 19th February 2016
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide (All Ages)
Tickets: Adelaide Festival Centre | 131 246 | All Bass Outlets
Saturday, 20th February 2016
Astor Theatre, Perth*
Tickets: Astor Theatre | 1300 111 369
*U18 Can Attend With Parent/Guardian
