Sunraysia audiences will have the rare opportunity of seeing one of Australian music's most iconic performers live in their own region when Archie Roach takes to the Mildura Arts Centre (MAC) stage this month.
A privilege normally reserved for metropolitan audiences, local music-lovers will be able to enjoy this legendary musician perform songs from his new album Tell Me Why on Thursday 25 March, supported by musicians Steve Magnusson and Sam Anning.
Tell Me Why is a musical memoir of Archie Roach's journey, featuring 11 songs that have defined a musical career spanning three decades, as well as several new songs, and songs written early his career which were never recorded.
Archie Roach's work has been recognised nationally and internationally in both mainstream and Indigenous music circles.
His songs tell the story of his extraordinary life - from a stolen child, teenage alcoholic, seeker, lover, father, musical and lyrical genius to social advocate and First Nations leader.
They also reflect the stories of his people, his land and the human condition.
Archie Roach will perform at MAC on Thursday 25 March from 7.30pm. Tickets are available by visiting milduraartscentre.com.au or at the MAC box office. Due to COVID-19 restrictions capacity in the MAC theatre is limited, making early bookings essential to avoid missing out.
Councillor for Arts, Culture and Heritage Mark Eckel said Archie Roach's appearance in Mildura was a unique opportunity for Sunraysia residents.
"I was fortunate to see Archie Roach perform at Mildura's Nowingi Place as part of the historic return of Mungo Man to our region in 2017," Cr Eckel said.
"That was one of the most profound musical events I have ever attended, and Archie Roach was one of the main acts. Ever since then, his performance has been indelibly etched on my memory.
"We're so fortunate to be one of the few, if any, regional venues included in Archie Roach's tour, and I'd encourage local music-lovers to take advantage of this opportunity.
"This is an artist who has won five ARIAs, an APRA Lifetime Achievement award, and who has shared the stage with fellow major acts including Paul Simon, Joan Armatrading, Rodriguez and the late Leonard Cohen, and we have the privilege of being able to take in his performance in our own city."
ARCHIE ROACH MUSIC BACKGROUND
Archie Roach has been making records since 1990 and along the journey has received many accolades, including a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), a Human Rights Achievement Award, five ARIAs, and an APRA Lifetime Achievement award.
His ARIA-winning debut album, Charcoal Lane, was named one of Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 50 albums of 1992. It was centred on Roach's heartbreaking song Took the Child Away, a deeply affecting ballad about his own experience as one of the Stolen Generations of First Nations children who were often forcibly removed from their parents and communities and placed in non-Indigenous institutions and homes.
