The run of shows will mark the legendary musicians final NSW tour.
Image: Lani Louise.
Iconic Indigenous Australian artist Archie Roach has announced his rescheduled NSW tour, with news the run of shows will mark the musicians final performances tour of NSW. Roach has also added an additional two performances in Queensland and announced the line up for the inaugural Archie Roach Foundation stage on Peek Whurrong country in south west Victoria.
Kicking off in Grafton on March 31, the tour will continue on to Ispwich, Lismore, Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Corunna, Canberra, Albury, Sydney and Newcastle, before wrapping up in Thirroul on April 21. Roach says of the new dates, “This is the fourth reschedule of this tour over the past year or so. My health is my biggest challenge and coming to NSW in March/April will be my final NSW road tour. I am so grateful that everyone has held onto their tickets waiting for these shows to go ahead. Thank you.”
Curated by the musician and members of the Maar Nation, Roach has also announced a partnership with Port Fairy Folk Festival to bring the inaugural Archie Roach Foundation stage on Peek Whurrong country in south west Victoria. The stage is set to feature both emerging and established First Nations musicians from across Australia, plus a series of community-led traditional dance, art and songwriting workshops, curated conversations, storytelling, a yarning circle. That's not all, Roach will also take to the stage for a live Kitchen Table Yarn, bringing along some special guests.
Joining the line up is Kutcha Edwards, Emma Donovan, The Merindas, Shellie Morris, Amos Roach, Kee’ahn, Lee Morgan, Nola Lauch, MRLN X RKM (Rulla Kelly-Mansell, Marlon Motlop and band), the Singing Our Futures collective and NT rapper J-MILLA and remote West Arnhem Land up and comers, Black Rock Band.
Speaking of the importance and cultural impact of the event, Roach shares: “For me personally, it’s huge! I was taken away as a child from my mother’s country when I was just two years old. To return to my community and be able to present our culture on the ARF Stage would not have happened if I had not found my way back to my people.”
ARCHIE ROACH TOUR DATES
THU 31 MAR – SARATON THEATRE, GRAFTON NSW
FRI 01 APR – CIVIC THEATRE, IPSWICH QLD **NEW SHOW**
SAT 02 APR – NORPA, LISMORE NSW
SUN 03 APR – PRINCESS THEATRE, BRISBANE QLD **NEW SHOW**
TUE 05 APR – JETTY MEMORIAL THEATRE, COFFS HARBOUR NSW
WED 06 APR - JETTY MEMORIAL THEATRE, COFFS HARBOUR NSW
FRI 08 APR – DUBBO REGIONAL THEATRE & CONVENTION CENTRE, DUBBO NSW
SAT 09 APR - GRIFFITH REGIONAL THEATRE, GRIFFITH NSW
SUN 10 APR - WAGGA CIVIC THEATRE, WAGGA WAGGA NSW (PRESENTED BY GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS)
TUE 12 APR – BATHURST MEMORIAL CENTRE, BATHURST NSW
WED 13 APR – TILBA VALLEY WINERY & ALE HOUSE, CORUNNA NSW
15-16 APR - NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL, CANBERRA ACT
MON 18 APR - ALBURY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, ALBURY NSW
THU 21 APR – SUPPER CLUB @ MARY’S UNDERGROUND, SYDNEY NSW
FRI 22 APR – CITY HALL, NEWCASTLE NSW
SAT 23 APR – ANITA’S THEATRE, THIRROUL NSW