Seth Lakeman and Carus Thompson – Australian Tour

For folkies, rockers and folk rockers alike, it’s one of the tours of the year – a double-headline featuring English multi-instrumentalist, virtuoso fiddler Seth Lakeman and Australia’s own international troubadour Carus Thompson. With both artists playing The Byron Bluesfest and being firm friends and touring buddies, the time was right for Seth’s first ever visit to Australia, a capital city tour of intimate Oz venues.

In the UK Seth has sold over one quarter of a million records and been credited with bringing folk music to a whole new audience. His debut album, “Kitty Jay” was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2005 and his second album “Freedom Fields” saw him signed to EMI’s Relentless Records, alongside the likes of KT Tunstall and Joss Stone. He’s crossed over into mainstream radio play, performed at all the major UK and European festivals, including Glastonbury, and was named “Folk Singer of The Year” as well as awarded “Album of the Year” at the BBC’s Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2007.

Seth Lakeman comes to Australia with his 6th album “Tales From the Barrel House” in tow. This new collection of songs underlines his innate knack for writing both foot-stomping, sing-along numbers as well as more tender, thoughtful ballads. His bow-shredding violin riffs are there, as are his driving tenor guitar rhythms, but it’s the new primitive sounds he’s conjured that give this album it’s atmospheric vibe.

Australia’s own folk-roots rocker, Carus Thompson, now a veteran of the Oz touring circuit shot to national prominence alongside Fremantle mates John Butler and The Waifs

with the explosion of roots music. His last three albums “Three Boxes”, “Creature Of Habit” and “Caravan” have all steadily built his reputation as a gifted songwriter and storyteller akin to Paul Kelly, Tim Roger or Mick Thomas. As well as here at home, the last eight years have seen him touring non-stop across Europe, playing to a rapidly expanding fan base in Germany, France, Switzerland and The UK.

If you want to see two highly experienced, accomplished, energetic and passionate live performers backed by their respective bands, from either side of the globe, do not miss this tour. For Seth Lakeman fans it’s a chance to see him playing on his first tour of Australia, in intimate venues a tenth the size of what he plays in the UK and for Carus Thompson fans you’ll see him with his band, sharing the stage with one of his best mates.

What: Byron Bay Bluesfest
When: Thursday 5 April & Friday 6 April 2012
Where: Byron Bay NSW
Tickets: www.bluesfest.com.au

What: Harvester Moon
When: Saturday 7 April 2012
Where: 2330 Portarlington Rd, Bellarine VIC
Tickets: www.harvestermoon.com

What: Bennetts Lane
When: Sunday 8 April & Monday 9 April 2012
Where: 25 Bennetts Lane, Melbourne VIC
Tickets: www.bennettslane.com

What: The Vanguard
When: Tuesday 10 April 2012
Where: 42 King St, Newtown, Sydney NSW
Tickets: www.thevanguard.com.au

What: Clancy’s Fish Pub
When: Thursday 12 April 2012
Where: 51 Cantonment st, Fremantle WA
Tickets: www.heatseeker.com.au

What: The Hyde Park Hotel
When: Friday 13 April 2012
Where: 331 Bulwer St, North Perth WA
Tickets: www.heatseeker.com.au

What: Fairbridge Festival
When: Saturday 14 Arpril & Sunday 15 April 2012
Where: Fairbridge WA
Tickets: www.fairbridgefestival.com.au