Jimmy Barnes has announced a special run of shows to commemorate 40 years of his second solo album For The Working Class Man, playing a series of open-air concerts across November, December, January and February in which he and his band will perform the album in its entirety for the first time ever. The two-time ARIA Hall-Of-Famer announced the tour on Channel 9’s Today this morning, appearing on the show alongside Iva Davies of Icehouse – who will join Barnes as main support for all shows, alongside his Cold Chisel bandmate Ian Moss and longtime friend Kate Ceberano. The full list of dates, as well as pre-sale and ticketing information, can be found below.
“For The Working Class Man was such a significant album in my life,” said Barnes in a press statement announcing the tour. “I got to make the record with some amazing people, and it really set up the rest of my solo career. I’m so excited to be celebrating For The Working Class Man with some of my dearest friends and favourite artists. I can think of no better way to mark this milestone than by performing these songs in some of the most beautiful, iconic outdoor venues across Australia.”
Jimmy Barnes – ‘Working Class Man’
“It feels like perfect timing, and a gift, to be invited to join Jimmy’s tour,” wrote Ceberano in her own statement shared to social media. “We have travelled a long road [together], so [I’m] stoked to be a part of this.” Davies, for his part, joked with Today‘s Richard Wilkins that Icehouse “got the easy part” of the national tour. “We get to play, and then watch [Barnes and his band] work their arses off,” he said. “For us, as the apprentices, I’m just there soaking it all in.” Barnes, responding to Davies calling himself an “apprentice” in relation to Barnes himself, replied: “I think you’ve passed the audition.”
For The Working Class Man was originally released in December 1985, a follow-up to the previous year’s solo debut Bodyswerve. The album spawned three singles: ‘I’d Die To Be With You Tonight’ in August of that year, the quasi-title track ‘Working Class Man’ in November and ‘Ride The Night Away’ the following February. ‘Working Class Man’ was the album’s biggest success story, and has gone on to become Barnes’ signature song as a solo artist. It peaked at number five on the Australian charts, while also charting in the US (one of only four of Barnes’ songs to do so) and New Zealand. Last weekend, the song was voted in at number 56 in triple j‘s Hottest 100 Of Australian Songs – with Barnes also taking two spots in the top 10 with Cold Chisel: ‘Khe Sanh’ (#8) and ‘Flame Trees’ (#7).
The album went to number one in Australia – the second of 15 of Barnes’ solo albums to do so, the most recent of which was last month’s Defiant. It was also certified seven times platinum by ARIA, making it Barnes’ second best-selling solo album behind 1991’s Motown covers album Soul Deep. For The Working Class Man is set to be reissued for its anniversary in November, with a double gatefold vinyl planned along with a special edition 7-inch singles boxset, a CD reissue and – for the first time since it was originally released – a re-release on cassette. These are all set for release and shipping on Friday, November 14th; pre-orders are open now and can be secured by clicking here.
Jimmy Barnes Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour
All shows are licensed all-ages events.
- Saturday, November 22nd – Mount Duneed Estate, Geelong VIC
- Saturday, November 29th – Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton QLD
- Saturday, December 6th – Bimbadgen, Pokolbin NSW
- Saturday, January 17th – Regatta Grounds, Hobart TAS
- Saturday, January 31st – Peter Lehmann Wines, Tanunda SA
- Saturday, February 7th – Sandalford Wines, Caversham WA
A presale for the tour will run from 12pm local time on Wednesdayday, August 6th. General sale will then follow on Friday, August 8th at 10am local time. Both can be accessed via promoter MG.live.
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