Peking Duk, Neil Finn annouce Australian tours as Elton John goes to the Gong

ON the eve of Adele and Justin Bieber’s stadium shows Peking Duk, Neil Finn, Nic Cester announce tours and Elton John’s off to Wollongong.

AS we brace ourselves for the juggernauts of the Adele and Justin Bieber tours to hit our stadiums next month, a raft of Australasian acts led by Neil Finn have announced their returns to our stages.

Just a couple of months after Crowded House’s triumphant anniversary concerts at the Sydney Opera House, Finn will usher in his next solo record with concerts at festivals in Adelaide, Fremantle, Tasmania and Meredith in Victoria.

He has also been booked to perform at the Byron Bay Bluesfest on April 17, replacing Barry Gibb who cancelled his Australian tour.

Neil Finn will preview new songs with Australian festival gigs. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Finn has been working on his fourth album for the past year and also another record with his musician son Liam with both projects expected to be released later this year.

Jet frontman Nic Cester will also be going solo at Bluesfest, unveiling songs from his debut record after reuniting with the band for the recent Bruce Springsteen tour.

Cester is currently negotiating with labels for the release of his record.

Peking Duk go national in April. Picture: Bob Barker.

Jet's frontman Nic Cester goes solo at Bluesfest.

Chart-topping dance pop duo Peking Duk have unveiled an ambitious 17-date national tour to celebrate the huge success of their latest hit Stranger with Swedish artist Elliphant.

As well as festival appearances at Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast and Bass In The Grass in Darwin, they will perform at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on April 22 and 170 Russell in Melbourne on April 24.

One of the more surprising tour announces this week has been the return of Elton John, booking a run of concerts in Australian destinations he has never graced before.

Elton John is going to the Gong for the first time. Picture: Dylan Robinson

As well as gigs in Mackay and Cairns, John has revealed he will perform in Wollongong for the first time at WIN Stadium on September 24.

Other regional concerts are expected to be unveiled but not in NSW or Victoria. It is rare for international acts to perform major concerts outside the capital cities or wineries.

“I always love coming back to Australia. It holds a very special place in my heart. My band and I are really looking forward to playing there again in September and this tour will be even more memorable because it will be the first time I have ever played Wollongong,” John said.

“If the audience in The Gong is anything like those at all of the other shows we have done in New South Wales over the years, everyone will surely be in for a wonderful night!”

Tickets go on sale on March 14.

Originally published as Peking Duk, Neil Finn annouce Australian tours as Elton John goes to the Gong