International All-Star Bowie Celebration Set For Sydney

It has been just under eleven months since David Bowie departed Earth. The loss left a chasm in the music industry and the hearts of fans the world over, with tributes on tiny and grandiose scales pouring in from every corner of the globe. Recently, it was announced that a bevy of musicians who have worked with the Starman over the course of his unparalleled career would visit select cities that had a special significance to Bowie, touring a celebratory tribute showcase of his music. Initially, London and Tokyo were the only two cities announced – now the remaining dates have been revealed, and the show, named Celebrating David Bowie, is coming to the Sydney Opera House on January 29 2017.

The concert will feature over 22 musicians who will perform tunes from the Thin White Duke’s entire catalogue, including Bowie band alumni Mike Garson, Earl Slick, Adrian Belew, Mark Plati, bassist Gail Ann Dorsey, Sterling Campbell, and Holly Palmer plus Angelo Moore from Fishbone, Bernard Fowler from The Rolling Stones, Latin Grammy Award Winner Gaby Moreno, Joe Sumner from Fiction Plane, and Scrote. Queensland’s finest, Bernard Fanning, will also perform, along with two more national treasures, Paul Dempsey and Sarah Blasko (who HAS to do her Like A Version – right?).

In the ensemble for the night, musicians who have played with Tom Waits, Sting, Seal, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck, Talking Heads, De La Soul, Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, The Rolling Stones, Nine Inch Nails, Frank Zappa, Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Dylan, Duran Duran, Dr. Dre, Burt Bacharach, David Byrne, Lenny Kravitz, King Crimson, and countless others will bring Bowie’s songs to life in what is sure to be a world class poignant tribute.

It’s fitting that the tour will make a stop in Sydney – Bowie adored the harbour city, and lived there whilst recording his Tin Machine album, only leaving to marry his wife Iman in 1992. Two of his music videos (China Girl and Let’s Dance) were filmed during this time.

For many younger fans of Bowie who cruelly never got to see the man himself play live (yours truly included), this is arguably the next best thing. Tickets go on sale December 12 at 9am AEDT – they’re likely to sell out extremely quickly, so set an early alarm if you’re keen to head along.