TOURING ADELAIDE, PERTH, SYDNEY & MELBOURNE
The wait is over. Following their announcement on the 2007 East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival, The Roots have just confirmed their headline tour of Australia, with concerts in Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.
On their sell-out 2005 Australian tour, The Roots blew away the critics with their mind-numbingly awesome performance.
The Herald Sun wrote "After experiencing The Roots live, my list of such performances has been dramatically rearranged; The Roots are No.1 ahead of James Brown and The Rolling Stones."
DB Magazine declared "seeing The Roots was indeed a musical treat, two hours of high energy and skilful live instrumentalism. Their reputation for being one of the greatest live musical acts is well founded, their statue in hip hop is unmatched; they're a truly unique and special hip hop act."
In 2003, The Roots were voted one of the "Twenty Greatest Live Acts in the World" by Rolling Stone readers. Unlike many of their hip hop compatriots The Roots are also well-known for performing lengthy shows. Their upcoming tour will see them performing an approximately two hour set.
It's been 20 years since ?uestlove and Black Thought met at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. Forming in 1987, they have achieved credibility and respect in a musical realm often scorned for celebrating drugs, guns and girls. Rolling Stone has proclaimed them "pioneers of the live-rap movement".
Over the 20 years, The Roots have produced seven albums, including the critically acclaimed, Grammy-winning Things Fall Apart (UMA, 1999). The Tipping Point (UMA, 2004) debuted at #4 on the overseas Billboard Chart, scoring them two Grammy nominations and earning them 42nd place in Blender Magazine's Top 50 CDs for the year 2004. Their latest release, "Game Theory" delivers 14 hard hitting tracks that express their views on the state of the world.
The Roots consist of Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (musical director/ drums), Tarik "Black Thought" Trotter (mc), Leonard "Hub" Hubbard (bass), James "Kamal" Gray (keyboards), Kirk "Cap'n Kirk" Douglas (guitar), and Frank "Knuckles" Walker (percussion).
The Roots will be joined on their tour by the exciting Melbourne ensemble True Live. The group, led by singer/rapper/songwriter/producer RHyNO MC, fuses a three piece string section (cello, violin, double bass), drum kit, keyboards and vocals.
Mahalia Barnes takes a break from touring with her father Jimmy, to perform in the opening slot with her band. With singing in her blood Mahalia has performed live since the age of 8 and most recently completed a number of her own headline gigs in December last year.
Those that have been to The Roots shows "know what to expect". To ensure you don't miss out on seeing The Roots in all their glory, get your ticket when they go on sale on Tuesday 30 January.
Members pre-sale commences noon AEDST Jan 24. Log into the Members Area for more information.
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CHANGE OF SUPPORT FOR PERTH SHOW
The Frontier Touring Company wish to advise fans of The Roots of a change in support for the band’s Perth show.
True Live, who were due to support the Philadelphia-based outfit at the show, can no longer perform due to a conflict in their touring schedule.
The good news is that local Perth hip-hop heroes Downsyde will be appearing in True Live’s absence. Downsyde are well-known throughout Australia, having toured extensively and playing alongside some of the finest names in the biz, including Jurassic 5, Cypress Hill, Grandmaster Flash and Naughty By Nature.
Signed to Obese Records, Downsyde have an extensive and impressive back catalogue, with three records released already and a fourth on its way.
With Mahalia Barnes also supporting, this is sure to be one hell of show! Don’t miss out.
True Live and Mahalia Barnes will still support The Roots in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne.
