Rock icons Robyn Hitchcock (The Soft Boys) and Steve Kilbey (The Church) are set to tour Australia later this month.
The Soft Boys and The Church were both household names in the ‘80s, and now their frontmen are teaming up on the ‘Stars And Insects’ tour.
Hitchcock believes the timing of their collaboration has been perfect. “I am glad we found each other while we’re still alive. Good to do it while we’re both still walking around and singing. I mean I heard The Church back in the ‘80s; we were both on the radio around the same time in America, so it's good, it's nice to sort of check in at this later stage.
With over a thousand songs in their back catalogues, those attending can expect a lot of variety from the show. “I think [Steve]... well, there's no drums, so I don't think he's going to be in a very rock kind of format and nor am I. I like the idea of people who are sort of used to playing in bands playing much more simple representations of songs.”
Both musicians have endured their share of ups and downs during their respective careers, but they haven’t allowed the negatives to sink their aspirations. Instead, Hitchcock allows his disappointments to fuel new art and music. “Art is a reaction to the frustrations of existence. Perhaps discovering that ... when you try to push a wall it doesn't just fall over; when you set fire to a ball of rolled up newspaper it doesn't turn into a volcano.
“Reality is not as easily painted as the imagination ... One of the many things you're doing as an artist is sort of compensating for the pain in life. I think you’re sending messages to the future, maybe picking out messages from the future ... I think you just react to the shock of existence and it all just comes out, really. Or at least I do.”
Written by Lexi McKee
Robyn Hitchcock and Steve Kilbey Tour Dates
Robyn Hitchcock appearing with Steve Kilbey ‘Insects and Stars’ Tour:Fri Apr 25 - The Gov, Adelaide (SA)
Sat Apr 26 - Fly By Night, Fremantle (VIC)
Sat May 03 - Melbourne Arts Centre Playhouse with special guest Dave Mason (VIC)
Sat May 10 - The Metro, Sydney with special guest Dave Mason (NSW)
Fri May 16h - New Globe Theatre, Brisbane (QLD)
Robyn Hitchcock will also play:
Fri May 23 - Bob Dylan' Birthday @ The Basement, Sydney (NSW)
Fri May 30 - Bob Dylan' Birthday @ The Flying Saucer Club, Melbourne (VIC)
Sat May 31 - I Often Dream of Trains @ Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (VIC)
Friday June 6th - I Often Dream of Trains @ Newtown Social Club, Sydney (NSW)
