Busby Marou – the Queensland duo of ‘Rocky’ boy Thomas Busby and Torres Strait Islander Jeremy Marou – were today announced as the opening guests for Elton John’s Once In A Lifetime stadium concerts in Mackay, Wollongong and Cairns this September.
Adding to what has already been an amazing year for the pair, the boys were stoked when they got the news.
“We heard just as we were getting ready to release Getaway Car,” said Marou – a collaboration with John Mayer’s guitarist David Ryan Harris and the newest single from Postcards From The Shellhouse, Busby Marou’s album which debuted at #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart when it dropped in February and spawned a same-name sell-out tour across the country.
Elton John at Rod Laver Arena in 2015. Photo by Mandy Hall.“We felt like good news was sticking to us like glue,” Marou continued.
“When we heard Elton had picked us, it was like icing on a very big cake,” added Busby.
Given two of Elton’s three stadium concerts are being held in North Queensland, Chugg Entertainment Executive Chairman AM, Michael Chugg, said it was fantastic Elton had chosen a Queensland act, and one already loved by the North.
“These are big concerts, with huge attendances,” said Chugg. “We need people to arrive early and Busby Marou are the perfect reason why people will.
“Their set, as the sun goes down and evening sets in, will be a seamless foray into a night of truly once-in-a-lifetime entertainment.”
Yesterday, Jeremy Marou paid respect to Dr G. Yunupingu, who also opened for Elton John in Darwin in 2008.
Marou posted on his socials:
“The sad passing of Dr G. Yunupingu is a huge loss to our Australian community. Fortunately he has left an amazing legacy that will be remembered for generations to come. This year our NAIDOC theme was “Language Matters,” he was a troubadour for leading the way for all Indigenous Australians in embracing song in native tongue and the importance of traditional language. He was and will remain an inspiration to me because of the way he took on the world regardless of the hurdles life threw in the way. Dr G Yunupingu RIP.”
Renowned for his interest in new and up-and-coming artists and for hand-picking his support guests, Sir Elton John was one of the earliest of what would grow to become a legion of famous top-tier name fans, including Sting, Quincy Jones and will.i.am, of Dr G. Yunupingu.
Thomas Busby and Jeremy Marou – often nominated alongside the masterful musician for Indigenous Music Awards – agree there is reason to make these their most important support slots ever.
“We will humbly honour his legacy,” said Marou. “Connecting to country and telling stories by music.”
Busby Marou will open for Elton John’s Australian-exclusive Once In A Lifetime concerts in Mackay, Cairns and Wollongong this September.
In Cairns limited edition Triple M Club House tickets are now on-sale. Mackay’s will open this Tuesday August 1 from 9am. Both from moshtix.com.au
Patrons should continue to check for updates across both moshtix.com.au and ticketmaster.com.au (Wollongong) for Final Release tickets as they come to hand.
There will be no support act for Sir Elton’s concerts in Hobart – Elton John and His Band will perform the entire show.
ELTON JOHN ‘ONCE IN A LIFETIME’ EXCLUSIVE AUSTRALIAN CONCERTS
MACKAY
Friday 22 September – BB Print Stadium
WOLLONGONG – SOLD OUT
Sunday 24 September – WIN Stadium
HOBART – SOLD OUT
Wednesday 27 September – Derwent Entertainment Centre
HOBART – SOLD OUT
Thursday 28 September – Derwent Entertainment Centre
CAIRNS
Saturday 30 September – Cazaly’s Stadium
moshtix.com.au // ticketmaster.com.au
For more information go to:
** www.eltonjohn.com (http://www.eltonjohn.com)
** www.chuggentertainment.com (http://www.chuggentertainment.com)
