Elvis Costello & The Imposters will return to Australia in 2023, headlining shows in Sydney and Melbourne, following their appearance at the 34th Annual Bluesfest in Byron Bay over the Easter Long Weekend.
2022 marks 45 years since the release of Elvis Costello’s first 45rpm record and his debut album, My Aim Is True.
Among his 600 published titles, Costello is perhaps best known for the songs, “Alison”, “Pump It Up”, “Everyday I Write The Book”, while a popular concert favourite is Nick Lowe’s ever-timely “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding”. He has appeared worldwide with The Attractions, first visiting Australia in 1978, then in solo performance in 1984 and with Steve Nieve in 1999. For the last twenty years he has toured and recorded with The Imposters – Steve Nieve, Pete Thomas, Davey Faragher – and they will be joined on these dates by guest guitarist, Charlie Sexton.
Since the 2017 release of the GRAMMY-winning, Look Now, Costello and co-producer, Sebastian Krys have worked on seven record releases together, including The Boy Named If and The Resurrection Of Rust in 2022.
“It’s been twelve years since our first appearance at the Byron Bay Bluesfest – when we shared an evening bill with Bob Dylan, and I got to sit in with Mavis Staples. I see a number of friends and favourites are on this year’s bill, so who knows what thrills, spills and encounters may take place.
“There is nothing that jolts a show alive so much as a stack of strong new songs, but we recorded ‘The Boy Named If’ while locked away in our lairs and hideaways, so bringing those songs to the stage has made the hits and highlights of the songbook ring out anew.
“The Imposters will make their Sydney Opera House bow 39 years after I made my solo debut at that legendary venue.
“We are bringing guest guitarist, Charlie Sexton with us, along for all our works and wonders for two nights at the Sydney “Work” House before heading to Melbourne to play the Palais on this long overdue but all too brief visit to Australian shores.
“The very name of the venue probably should have got my attention when I first arrived in Melbourne in 1978, pursued by a press posse after a slight dust-up in Sydney. After all, the ‘Hammersmith Palais’ was my dad’s place of work for most of my childhood. It seems I am destined and disposed to return to venues called the “Palais”, like a homing pigeon or some other more tuneful bird. The proximity to the seaside and a fun-fair only adds the thrill.
“The Imposters and I are not bringing any vaudevillian contraptions with us on this occasion, but we will be joined by our guest guitarist, Charlie Sexton and a stack of strong, recently recorded songs that have caused the hits and headlines of the repertoire to either ring out anew or fight for their place in the show.
“We are ready as anybody can be and look forward to seeing you there.” – ELVIS COSTELLO
Elvis Costello and The Imposters will be playing at The Sydney Opera House on Sunday, 9th April and Monday, 10th April, 2023. They will also play at The Palais Theatre, Melbourne on Thursday, 13th April, 2023.
Feature Photo Credit: Mark Seliger
Other Bluesfest Touring news here.
