In 2022 Australian music icon John Williamson will celebrate his 52nd anniversary in the entertainment industry and foresee closing the book on his regular touring. Ahead of this milestone, John will be touring across Australia throughout 2021 and into 2022 as he takes his WINDING BACK tour on the road. The Winding Back Tour takes in more than 40 dates across Australia through to early 2022. A full list of dates and venues available below. When John Williamson wandered into Richmond’s GTV9 studios in 1970 with a guitar under his arm, little did the Mallee farmer realise he’d make a 50+-year career out of singing and performing. His performance of ‘Old Man Emu’, the first song John had ever written, on Channel Nine’s popular New Faces program resulted in a number one single and a record deal. It also marked the appearance of a striking new talent: an unofficial custodian of Australian stories. Half a century on, John Williamson has made an art of expertly capturing Australia in song. Painting lyrical pictures of our unique fauna and flora, landscapes and people, John has encapsulated the beauty, wonder and, sometimes, heartbreak of life Down Under. From boabs to billabongs and snowy mountains to sandy beaches, the Mallee-born songwriter’s 52 albums–including 20 original studio albums–have traversed Australia like a dust-covered road train, deftly moving between larrikin humour and touching pathos. ‘While I’m not looking to retire just yet, once I’ve completed my 2021/2022 Winding Back Tour I’ll be scaling down my live appearances,’ John says. ‘I’ve always loved the connection I receive when performing, so you’ll still see me popping up at festivals and special events. ‘Winding Back’ means I’m looking forward to spending more time in the garden and less time away from home.’ With his honours including the ARIA Hall of Fame, an Order of Australia, 28 Golden Guitar Awards, Australian Roll of Renown induction, not to mention over 5 million albums sold and thousands of shows performed, it’s hard to begrudge the 75-year-old a less hectic schedule. First though, there’s an anniversary to celebrate. In November 2020, John Williamson’s True Blue has been inducted into the National Film and Sound Archives ‘Sounds Of Australia’, recognising its significance as an iconic Australian song. Perhaps John’s greatest legacy is making Australians proud of their country and of who they are. So, don’t miss him, True Blue himself, in your town or city for what could be the final time. WINDING BACK TOUR DATES: Thursday 11 February Dubbo Regional Theatre, NSW Friday 12 February Orange Civic Theatre, NSW Saturday 13 February Bathurst Entertainment Centre, NSW Friday 19 February Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide – x 2 shows – 3pm and 8pm Saturday 20 February Barossa Arts Centre, SA Wednesday 17 March The Art House, Wyong, NSW Thursday 18 March The Art House, Wyong, NSW Friday 9 April Ipswich Civic Centre, Qld Saturday 10 April Redland Performing Arts Centre, Qld Sunday 11 April Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, Qld Thursday 15 April Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, Bundaberg, Qld Friday 16 April Brolga Theatre & Convention Centre, Maryborough, Qld Saturday 17 April The Events Centre, Caloundra, Qld Thursday 27 May Lighthouse Theatre, Warnambool, Vic Friday 28 May Geelong Arts Centre, Vic Friday 2 July Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree, NSW Saturday 3 July Civic Theatre, Newcastle, NSW Sunday 4 July Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie, NSW Wednesday 14 July Burnie Arts & Function Centre, Tas Thursday 15 July Princess Theatre, Launceston, Tas Friday 16 July Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart7u6678 Thursday 22 July Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, NSW Friday 23 July Commercial Club, Albury, NSW Saturday 30 October Twin Towns, Tweed Heads, NSW Tuesday 2 November Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton, Qld Wednesday 3 November Townsville Civic Theatre, Qld Friday 5 November Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre, Qld Thursday 18 November Southern Cross Club, Canberra Friday 19 November Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW Saturday 20 November Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW Friday 10 December Hornsby RSL, Sydney Saturday 11 December Penrith Panthers, NSW – *2 shows For a complete list of tour dates and ticketing details please visit www.johnwilliamson.com.au/tour
