The Whitlams’ first show outside Sydney was early 1993 at the Railway Friendly Bar. The band went on to become a Byron Bay regular through the mid ‘90s on its way to winning Best Group at the 1998 ARIAs with the third album Eternal Nightcap.
Fast forward 30 years, and you can join Tim Freedman and the band for sunset sets at the Kingscliff Hotel on New Year’s Day, and Shaws Bay Hotel, Ballina on Wednesday, January 3, with children welcome.
The Whitlams four-piece will be joined by Scott Owen from The Living End to recreate the energy of its first three albums. Who better to rip through the double bass classics from ’93 to ’97 than the powerhouse behind The Living End’s famous rhythm section. Opening on both afternoons is William Crighton, winner of the ARIA for Best Blues and Roots Album last year.
The Whitlams propelled onto the airwaves through the mid ‘90s, from their debut ‘Gough’ in 1993, to the crossover hit ‘I Make Hamburgers’ in 1995, and the frenetic ‘You Sound Like Louis Burdett’ in 1997. Scott Owen will join the band for the first hour of the show in which they will perform the best of Introducing The Whitlams, Undeniably The Whitlams and Eternal Nightcap.
The Whitlams are Tim Freedman on piano and vocals, Jak Housden on guitar, Northern Rivers local Terepai Richmond on drums, and newest member, Ian Peres, on Hammond organ and electric bass.
Tim Freedman says, ‘Scott and I have been talking about this idea for five years, and at last our schedules have clicked. Terepai and Scott will absolutely explode in these early songs, and it will be thrilling to hear the energy on stage once again that Andy Lewis brought to the first line-up so long ago.’
The Whitlams play live with special guest William Crighton. Monday, January 1 at Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Wednesday, January 3 at Shaws Bay Hotel, Ballina
Tickets at www.thewhitlams.com
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