Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey to perform at HOTA on the Gold Coast

Two musicians from famous Australian rock bands have curated an “electrifying” collaboration and are bound for the Gold Coast on their regional tour.

Two musicians from famous Australian rock bands have curated an “electrifying” collaboration and are bound for the Gold Coast on their regional tour.

Powderfinger lead singer Bernard Fanning and Something For Kate lead singer and guitarist Paul Dempsey announced the tour for their Fanning Dempsey National Park debut album, The Deluge.

Dempsey, a former Gold Coaster, and Fanning will close it out at HOTA in the country’s tourism capital on May 24.

Dempsey said their “eclectic” album had been years in the making but they were “really proud” of the finished product.

Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey to perform at HOTA on the Gold Coast. Photo: Supplied

“I guess part of the fun of doing a collaboration is you come to it with all the experience you’ve had in your other band but you are forced to adapt and forced to do things differently,” he said.

“Obviously Bernard and I don’t do things the same way but that’s what makes it interesting.

“I’ve learnt a lot from the way Bernard works and I think he would say the same.”

Dempsey said he first met Bernard more than 25 years ago and became friends after years of touring together in their respective bands.

It wasn’t until three years ago, when the duo released a version of Under Pressure by David Bowie and Queen, when they realised “our voices sound good together”.

Dempsey said they had been “itching” to get back on the road after not knowing if touring would restart after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Something For Kate musician said he had noticed a drastic change from playing shows in the 90s to now.

“When we were starting out, there was not all these things competing for your attention. There was no streaming and you couldn’t have everything on demand at your fingertips,” he said.

Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey to perform at HOTA on the Gold Coast

“There was no social media, you actually had to hang out with people. But now a beer costs 15 bucks and for the price of a beer you could stay at home and listen to any record ever made.

“Unfortunately because of the pandemic, there’s a lot of people between 18 to 25 who never went to their first gig.

“It used to be a right of passage and it doesn't exist anymore.”

Dempsey urged music fans to “go out and see live music” to support up and coming artists who were trying to make it in the industry.

As a former Gold Coaster, Dempsey said he was “excited” to make his way back to the Glitter Strip and play HOTA for the first time.

Tickets for the all ages May 24 show are $99 and are available on the HOTA website.

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Originally published as Bernard Fanning and Paul Dempsey to perform at HOTA on the Gold Coast