More international names are Australia-bound as restrictions relax

Image: Burna Boy/ Facebook

More international names are heading to Australia, helping to further reignite the live sector.

This morning, Wyclef Jean, Burna Boy and UB40 were among those announced for the inaugural Promiseland on the Gold Coast.

Blending reggae, Afrobeats and R&B, it is held on October 1 and 2 at Doug Jennings Park.

One time Fugees member Jean returns after 14 years, while Nigerian-based Afrobeat poster boy Burna Boy is making his Australian debut.

From California are Common Kings, while the NZ posse includes Drax Project, Sons of Zion, Scribe, Ardijah, Herbs and Ladi6.

This morning also saw POPCULT, Metropolis Touring and Obsessed announce a return visit in November by US drag queen Adore Delano.

In the meantime, Victorian festival Boogie has two US groups – Endless Boogie and Howlin’ Rain – on its bill.

It is Howlin’ Rain’s first visit, but Boogie mainman Ethan Miller has visited with Comets On Fire.

They join the likes of Pond, Augie March and Tropical Fuck Storm over Easter at Our Friend’s Farm, on the lands of the Taungurung, in Tallarook, just one hour north of Melbourne.

Arlo Parks 

Handsome Tours’ inaugural run with Britain’s Arlo Parks has extended with the acclaimed songwriter included in the Gang of Youths-curated A More Perfect Union.

It is in Hobart (August 14) and Sandstone Point in Queensland (August 20) with acts including Cub Sport, Matt Corby, Middle Kids, Budjerah, BLESSED and Gretta Ray at either show.

Tasmanian promoter Brendan Self expected more global acts would be arriving in 2022 and 2023 as consumer confidence rises with the end of the pandemic in sight.

After laying claim to being “the greatest gathering of Australian artists in the history of Australian music”, Bluesfest is about to announce a contingent of internationals to round off the Easter bash.

Director Peter Noble teased “some special guests from New Zealand, the USA, the UK, Africa, and Jamaica”.

These additions come as the thrice-delayed Under The Southern Stars finally gets blast-off on March 11 with Cheap Trick, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Promoter Andrew McManus told TMN that despite the recent relaxation of restrictions, the tour will be run with strict protocols.

The tour of 600 people will be tested daily for coronavirus while the inner core of 56 musicians and their immediate entourage will be “in an artist’s bubble within a bubble”.

The acts will be bussed in just before their individual sets, there are no guests, meet and greets or communal catering backstage, and the musicians will be encouraged to stay in their hotel rooms on a locked-off floor.

Liam Gallagher

In recent weeks, Splendour In The Grass issued sideshow dates for the likes of Liam Gallagher, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, DJ Duke Dumont, Jack Harlow and YUNGBLUD, expanding the presence of global names through the country in July.

Adelaide’s Spin Off that month had Glass Animals, Jack Harlow, Oliver Tree and 18-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter Tate McRae in its first artist round.

The Savannah In The Round festival near Cairns, in North Queensland, landed US country music superstar Brad Paisley as headliner.

Paisley was previously confirmed for September 2022’s CMC Rocks and his own arena shows in Sydney and Melbourne.