One of Australia’s most loved and respected artists Paul Kelly is set to play Auckland's Civic Theatre in celebration of his 23rd studio album Life Is Fine.
The 10-time ARIA award winner has achieved his first ever #1 album in his almost 40-year career as a recording artist. The deliberately ambiguous album title - on one hand affirmative, and the other a nod towards interpretations of ‘fine’- is in Paul Kelly’s own words, about ‘never knowing what’s around the corner’. The title track’s lyrics are from a poem by American writer Langston Hughes.
‘There's a frequent wit to these songs, and an even greater sense of humanity, as Kelly captures the details of human nature with a master's touch, not to mention a fluid and effective melodic sense.’ – AllMusic
There is no question Paul Kelly has had, and continues to have an impressive music career. He has fronted numerous groups, including The Dots in 1978 where he produced his first charting track ‘Billy Baxter’ and The Coloured Girls (later changed to The Messengers) in 1985, where Kelly’s genius for songwriting emerged.
Kelly captures the vastness of Australian culture and landscape with his trademark bluegrass mixed with folk-rock. Through his storytelling, Kelly and The Messengers went on to release some of the most patriotically recognised songs like ’Leaps and Bounds’, ‘Before Too Long’ and ‘Darling It Hurts’.
Joining Kelly for the show are Lyttelton based group The Eastern. A string band that roars like a punk band, swings like a gospel band and drinks like a country band, they have developed a reputation as New Zealand’s hardest working troubadours. With four albums and over 1000 shows under their belts, they have won many a heart along the way. Their 2012 album Hope and Wire reached Gold status in New Zealand, with the song ‘State Houses By The River’ a finalist in the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Awards.
Also supporting Kelly as special guests are Australian duo Busby Marou. Recognised for their delightful harmonies blending with melodic, acoustic tunes and heartfelt lyrics, the band won the APRA Award for Blues & Roots Work of the Year for 2012 hit ‘Biding My Time’. Recent release and ARIA number one Postcards From The Shell House champion Busby’s breezy croon and Marou’s earthy guitars in tracks ‘Best Part Of Me’, ‘Paint This Land’ and ‘Getaway Car’.
Don’t miss your chance to see one of Australia’s foremost singer-songwriters Paul Kelly in concert this December.
$2 per hour to a max of $12 on weekends and a $12 flat rate for weekday evenings at The Civic car park. Find out more.