The Sunnyboys are a veritable indie institution – a blinding light that shone briefly in the eighties with a power pop brilliance that had an indelible effect on the music scene in Australia and beyond – crossing from indie darlings to a national mainstream phenomenon with their effervescent jangling sounds and pop sensibilities.
Their stellar trajectory was brought swiftly to an end compounded to some degree by the well documented battles lead singer Jeremy Oxley had with schizophrenia for over 30 years (covered in the poignant documentary ‘The Sunnyboy‘).
The band has made brief appearances over the decades but are now embarking on their final tour around Australia – starting the new year with a sad farewell. Sunnyboys’ guitarist Richard Burgman says of the last ever tour:
We were really good at what we did, and we’re really proud of what we did and we’re lucky enough to still be able to get up and say to people ‘We’re really proud to be able to present this to you now‘.
This is a valuable opportunity to see an integral piece of Australian musical history before it gently passes on into the night. The band has just announced an additional gig in Newcastle on the tour, with some amazing supports throughout the tour.
The tour details are as follows:
January 2023
Fri 13: Gold Coast, Twin Towns + Painters and Dockers
Sat 14: Gold Coast, Twin Towns + Painters and Dockers
Fri 20: Dee Why RSL + Painters and Dockers (SOLD-OUT)
Sat 21: Thirroul, Anitas + Painters and Dockers
Wed 25: Adelaide. The Gov + Even
Sat 28: Melbourne, Northcote Theatre + Rocket Science & The Prize
February 2023
Sat 4: Newcastle, NEX @ Wests City + Alister Spence Trio
Sat 11: Brisbane, Tivoli + Huxton Creepers
Thu 16: Gosford, Drifters Wharf + Murray Cook’s Soul Movers
Sat 18: Sydney, Enmore + Painters and Dockers & Mick Medew and The Mesmerisers
Tickets for all shows on-sale via Feel Presents.
In addition to the tour, Sunnyboys ’81 – ’84 a double-vinyl album collection is now available. Featuring all the hits, the b-sides, select band faves and a whole live side taken from the band’s years as recording artists for Mushroom Records. The limited edition blue vinyl set is available online only via here
Feature Photograph: Dallas Kilponen
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