Stan Walker shares the healing power of music on his new tour
Stan Walker is heading back to Australia for a national tour in support of his Faith Hope Love EP that is dedicated to the victims of Christchurch mosque shootings.
After a five-year absence and surviving a life-threatening illness, Stan Walker cannot wait to get back to Australia and reconnect with his Australian fans.
The Australian-born New Zealand-based recording artist, who was the winner of the final season of Australian Idol in 2009, will launch his New Take Over Tour II in August in support of his EP Faith Hope Love.
“I’m looking forward to being in the room with my fans, performing on stage for my fans - this show is going to be the best thing ever,” Walker, who has shared the stage with the likes of Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown, said.
“On stage is where I feel most alive and it is where I feel the most happiest.
“I can’t wait to get back out there. And the best thing about this tour is part of the proceeds are going toward the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, they saved my life and the funds will be going towards furthering their research into finding a cure for cancer.”
Walker’s own cancer battle, that resulted in his stomach being removed in September 2017 due to a rare cancer-causing gene mutation that has claimed more than 25 family members, included uncertainty over whether he would ever sing again.
It struck at the height of his career, with sold out tours across New Zealand and a successful acting and TV career. His journey through surgery and recovery was chronicled in the 2018 documentary STAN.
Walker, 29, admitted he was frustrated and angry, not scared, and credits his cancer battle for making him stronger and more determined.
“The biggest thing is I don’t want to wait around for anybody to tell me how I can, when I can,” he said. “I am going to do everything I want to do and I’m not going to hold back.”
His Faith Hope Love five track EP is dedicated to the victims of March 15 Christchurch mosque shootings, it is his way of offering support to those affected.
He described the terrorist attacks as a “very sad time for New Zealand and for the Muslim community especially”.
He said being back in the recording studio at this time “was emotional but it was also empowering, it was a chance to spread light into this ugly situation”.
“Music brings healing to people,” Walker said. “I’ve seen it and experienced it, it has brought healing to me.”
• August 21, Max Watts Sydney, tickets ticketspace.co.nz
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