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Australia 2011


Simple Minds to headline "600 Sounds" in Australia

Legendary Scottish band Simple Minds will headline the 600 Sounds On The Gold Coast music festival on the Broadwater Parklands as part of this year’s Armor All Gold Coast 600, October 21-23.

In their only Australian appearance this year, Simple Minds will play some of their biggest hits including their #1 worldwide smash – Don’t You (Forget About Me).

The band is currently on a Greatest Hits Tour of Europe where they are receiving rave reviews for their shows, which have included other hits such as Waterfront, Promised You a Miracle, Alive and Kicking and Belfast Child.

In a 34 year career, Simple Minds have played some of the biggest venues in the world. They were a part of Band Aid in 1985 and headlined the Freedomfest concerts for the then imprisoned Nelson Mandela in 1988.

Simple Minds will close the Saturday Night portion [22nd October] of the two-night festival, which is part of the Armor All Gold Coast 600, which will this year incorporate 28 international drivers with local heroes in a round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series on the streets of Surfers Paradise.

The festival will open on Friday with some of Australia’s best hip-hop and dance artists, including DJ Shannon, Drapht, Illy and the Potbelleez. Legendary Australia rock acts Masters Apprentices, Hoodoo Gurus and Eskimo Joe will blast out some homegrown hits before Simple Minds close the show the following night.

A three-day general admission ticket to the Armor All Gold Coast 600 gives you three days of racing action and admission to both nights of the 600 Sounds Festival – individual concert tickets cannot be purchased.

Simple Minds' front man Jim Kerr is a motor racing fan and knows several of the former Formula One drivers who will be competing at this year’s event. “I think the whole rock and race format is great and we cannot wait to get down there in October,” said Kerr. “We hope many of our Australian fans will head to the Gold Coast to be a part of the whole weekend which has an enormous reputation around the world”. While the Saturday night audience is set to be a more “mature” crowd, Friday’s list is aimed directly at a younger generation and a whole new audience of V8 Supercar fans.

The Potbelleez are tearing up the dance scene with hits such as Hello and Don’t Hold Back. Regulars on the live music scene, they have crowds all over Australia dancing to their unique style of music.

Heating up the growing Australian hip-hop scene is West Australian artist, Drapht. His catchy and entertaining lyrics have caught the attention of not just the hip-hop audience,but the mainstream market.

His distinctive track Rapunzel is a witty commentary on society, filled with clever Australian puns; he is forging his own voice and pushing Australian hip-hop further.

Also putting his stamp on the Australian hip-hop scene is Illy, his current track It Can Wait (ft. Owl Eyes) has also launched into the mainstream music scene, after breaking through in the ‘Triple J’s Hottest 100 List’.

The Melbourne artist is known for his live stage presence, and has gained a core following at his live shows, another voice growing the Australian hip-hop audience.

V8 Supercars Chairman, Tony Cochrane said that the $136 three-day general admission ticket again provided one of the best value for money buys in Australian entertainment.

“Fans will get three days of fantastic V8 Supercar action and two nights of some of Australia’s and the world’s biggest acts – I am not sure where you can get all that for $136 bucks,” said Cochrane.

"Simple Minds are a huge international act and we are delighted that they have accepted our invitation to come down and play a one-off show for us."

“So many of their hits are timeless and their headlining of the Saturday night show will be something pretty special.”

The Hoodoo Gurus are Australian rock royalty since they formed in 1981, hit’s such as What’s My Scene still resonates with a new audience, What’s My Scene undertook a revamp for the National Rugby League ‘That’s My Team’ campaign.

They were given Australian music’s highest honor in 2007 when they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame; they continue to perform to sell out crowds entertaining audiences with their classic hits and new music.

Masters Apprentices are an Australian sensation; Legendary Melbourne DJ Stan Rofe once proclaimed that they were Australia’s answer to the Rolling Stones.

They are a chameleon like band who moved through psychedelia and "bubblegum” pop, finally became one the first and best progressive hard rock groups of the early 70s and continue to have an impact on the landscape of Australian rock.

Eskimo Joe has exploded from its Indie Rock roots into one of Australia’s foremost bands; their 2006 album Black Fingernails, Red Wine went four-times platinum.

They are credited as one of the most innovative bands in the country with their single Foreign Land becoming the most played Australian song on radio in 2009.

Music fans and race fans alike will be guaranteed a host of exceptional racing and superb musical talent when racing and rock unite.

The Armor All Gold Coast 600 will be from October 21-23 on the streets of the Gold Coast and features a strong line up of International racecar drivers representing Formula 1, IndyCar, Touring Car, Sportscar and NASCAR categories from all over the world.

Tickets: www.ticketek.com and www.goldcoast600.com.au
Event website: 600 Sounds On The Gold Coast




600 Sounds Festival, Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast, Australia
22nd October, 2011
Main Set: Waterfront / Love Song / Celebrate / Once Upon A Time / All The Things She Said / Moscow Underground / Broken Glass Park / Big Sleep / Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) / Promised You A Miracle / Glittering Prize / Don't You (Forget About Me) / New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
Encore: Alive And Kicking / Sanctify Yourself

"I thought Mel Gaynor was "Man Of The Match" tonight at our gig in Gold Coast. Performing in a band means that you have to trust each other as you go through the set, knowing that everyone will play their part just as they should. Mel was a "Giant " tonight! But the real stars of course were the people who came to support us. Tonight was the last show for this year - but plenty to come next year. Look out for us all around the world!" - Jim Kerr 23rd October 2011




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