Bluesfest wins Helpmann Award for Patti Smith tour
Bluesfest Touring took out the Helpmann Award for Best International Contemporary Concert, for bringing out Patti Smith for her final Australian tour.
“It is very gratifying for my band to be recognised for our collaboration with the people of Australia”, Smith said of the award. “Each concert felt that way, as if we all formed each night together.”
Bluesfest Touring Director Peter Noble is pleased with the win, saying: “We at Bluesfest Touring are so happy, proud and honoured to have won. We worked hard to bring home all seven concerts for Patti plus her two outstanding performances at Bluesfest. This was her farewell tour of Australia, and she gave it all…. every show. Patti is a legend, a true artist and a genuinely nice person on top.
“To win against that level of competition: Bruce Springsteen and Adele, who played to the largest audience ever in Australia on her recent tour, was, I must say, unexpected, whilst we were quietly hoping at the same time.
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It takes a large team to deliver a tour at this level both within Australia and Internationally, I would like to take this moment to congratulate and thank every one of you, and especially the team at Bluesfest.”This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.