One of Aotearoa’s most beloved songwriters, Don McGlashan, has today announced an extensive 17-date nationwide New Zealand tour, where he will perform a series of intimate shows in some of the country’s most idyllic venues.
Performing recent songs, along with plenty of gems from his sprawling back catalogue, Don will play a string of solo shows, joined on a handful of dates by legendary drummer / percussionist Chris O’Connor (Phoenix Foundation) to give you an up-close and unique concert experience. For an added treat, Antonie Tonnon will open the curtains for the Auckland, Wellington, Rangiora and Akaroa shows.
DON MCGLASHAN – FREE FLIGHT NZ TOUR
Thursday 13 Sept – The Old Stone Butter Factory, Whangarei
Friday Sept 14 – Leigh Sawmill Cafe, Leigh
Saturday Sept 15 – Sir Don Rowlands Centre, Cambridge (featuring Chris O’Connor)
Thursday Sept 20 – Totara Street, Mt Maunganui
Friday Sept 21 – Dome Cinema, Gisborne
Saturday Sept 22 – Paisley Stage, Napier
Thursday Sept 27 – Grainstore Gallery, Oamaru
Saturday Sept 29 – Southland Musicians Club, Invercargill
Friday Oct 5 – Hollywood Avondale, Auckland (featuring Chris O’Connor and support from Anthonie Tonnon)
Thursday Oct 11 – St Peters Village Hall, Paekakariki
Friday Oct 12 – Globe Theatre, Palmerston North
Saturday Oct 13 – Old St Pauls, Wellington (featuring Chris O’Connor and support from Anthonie Tonnon)
Sunday Oct 14 – The Mussel Inn, Golden Bay
Thursday Oct 18 – Rangiora Town Hall, Rangiora (featuring Chris O’Connor and support from Anthonie Tonnon)
Friday Oct 19 – Gaiety Hall, Akaroa (featuring Chris O’Connor and support from Anthonie Tonnon)
Saturday Oct 20 – Barrytown Hall, Barrytown
Sunday Oct 21 – Sherwood, Queenstown
Don McGlashan’s songs of love, landscape and mystery have taken snapshots of life in New Zealand for over three decades. By consistently challenging himself, he’s achieved that rare combination: wide appeal, and the respect of fellow artists. His effect on the Great New Zealand songbook is immeasurable.
Don’s musical career in the public limelight began as drummer and singer in 80’s group Blam Blam Blam (with Tim Mahon & Mark Bell). The group went on to have a string of Top 20 singles, and produced a well loved record Luxury Length for the history books. ‘Don’t Fight it, Marsha, It’s Bigger Than Both Of Us’ won Song of the Year in the 1982 NZ Recording Industry Awards.
Following that, Don lived in New York and toured the world as a drummer with avant-garde dance company Laura Dean Dancers and Musicians. After returning to New Zealand, he soon founded The Front Lawn with Harry Sinclair; an acoustic group that combined theatre and songs, which they took all over Australasia, Europe and America between 1985-1990. The pair picked up a number of awards and accolades, including the UK Independent Newspaper Award for a show at the Edinburgh Festival, and were dubbed “a superb duo” by New York Times music critic Jon Pareles. Their 1987 record Songs From The Front Lawn won three New Zealand Music Awards.
With Ross Burge, Alan Gregg and David Long, Don went on to form The Mutton Birds in 1991, creating a string of anthems including ‘Anchor Me’ (APRA Silver Scroll winner 1994), ‘Dominion Road‘ (1992) and their iconic cover of The Formyula’s ‘Nature‘ (1992).
Their work received love from both home and abroad from fans and critics alike, securing the songs of McGlashan and The Mutton Birds as an integral fixture in the wider New Zealand music fabric. The Mutton Birds’ album Envy of Angels made the UK Sunday Times’ 10 best albums list, while David Sheppard (Q Magazine) called their fourth album Rain, Steam & Speed “…a minor masterpiece.” The group toured with The Tragically Hip’s Another Roadside Attraction tour of Canada and the US during 1997 alongside Sheryl Crow, Los Lobos and Ron Sexsmith.
Since The Mutton Birds period, Don has made three acclaimed solo albums – Warm Hand (2006), Marvellous Year (2009), and Lucky Stars (2015). His 2006 gospel anthem ‘Bathe In The River‘ sung by Hollie Smith has become one of the biggest NZ singles of all time.
Don has toured Australia, the US and Europe with Crowded House, both as an opening act and as a band member. He was also involved in Neil Finn’s Seven Worlds Collide project, collaborating with The Smiths’ Johnny Marr, and members of Wilco and Radiohead, and he recently performed on Finn’s latest album Out Of Silence.
In 2012 he led the reformed Mutton Birds on a very special New Zealand tour, as well as one show at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London.
His most successful record since his time with The Mutton Birds, Lucky Stars (released 2015) charted in the top 5 of the NZ Album Chart and saw an overwhelming number of rave reviews in both New Zealand and Australia.
***** – New Zealand Herald
**** ½ stars – Sydney Morning Herald
“The detail in Don’s songs – his lyrics – framed by the strange angels resting on his shoulders, cresting the wave of each song with him, help to shape and place this music as moment, postcard, handwritten letter.”
– Off The Tracks
“A masterclass in song craft… with an inner world all his own.”
– Rolling Stone AU
“Don McGlashan is one of the most complete musicians to grace this planet. Whether it’s singing, songwriting, or blowing on a euphonium, Don always comes at it from his own unique angle. He’s a misfit’s Renaissance Man.”
– Brian Ritchie, The Violent Femmes
Follow Don online and on the road:
donmcglashan.com
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