Vance Joy hits play on Australian leg of latest tour

Just days away from launching his latest tour, Aussie artist Vance Joy reveals why Tassie show could be the best.

Vance Joy is launching the Australian leg of his Long Way Home tour at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on October 29. Picture: Celina Martins

AFTER four long years, Aussie singer-songwriter Vance Joy is ready to reacquaint himself with his Tasmanian fans as he hits play on his homecoming. 

Joy (born James Keogh) is days away from launching the Australian leg of his Long Way Home tour at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens after performing across Europe and North America.

The 34-year-old told the Mercury not only will this concert be his first ever headline show in Hobart, but it could be the best show of the entire tour.

“Usually, the first shows are good because everyone in the band is super excited and the nerves translate to a good show,” Joy said.

Vance Joy is launching the Australian leg of his Long Way Home tour at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on October 29. Picture: Celina Martins

“We’re all very excited and itching to play.”

The singer-songwriter will take to the stage on Saturday at 3pm, nearly four years after he last performed on Tasmanian soil at Falls Festival in 2018-19.

Joy said he was thrilled to have his “original band” join him for the tour, after years of “chopping and changing”.

“I guess over the years everyone kind of goes and does different things,” he said.

“And some people don’t want to be on the road.

“But now, everyone’s back.”

He had planned to launch the Australian leg of his tour in Darwin but due to scheduling conflicts, several of his shows had to be cancelled or rescheduled.

Vance Joy is launching the Australian leg of his Long Way Home tour at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on October 29. Picture: Claudia Grosche

Joy – who was this month nominated for five ARIA Awards – said Abba fans attending his Hobart show could be in luck as he works on perfecting some covers.

“I’ve been trying to learn the keyboard line to Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” he said.

“So, I bought a keyboard the other day and I am trying to play it.”

If time and weather permits, Joy said he hopes he can dash to Cradle Mountain before he jets to Brisbane for his November 4 show.

“I would love to go there,” he said.

Joy’s tour will support the release of his third studio album In Our Own Sweet Time, which follows his double-platinum albums Dream Your Life Away and Nation of Two.

Vance Joy is launching the Australian leg of his Long Way Home tour at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on October 29. Picture: Will Morrissey

The shows will feature new tracks, including Joy’s latest hits Missing Piece and Clarity.

But classics like Riptide, Mess is Mine, Georgia, Lay It on Me and Saturday Sun are expected to make an appearance.

The singer-songwriter will be supported in Hobart by fellow Australian acts The Rubens, Thelma Plum, Budjerah and Mia Wray.

Joy grew up in Melbourne and played in the VFL for the Coburg Tigers back in 2008.

He received offers to play at the elite level but he turned them down to pursue a music career.

When asked by the Mercury whether he thinks Tasmania should have its own AFL team, it was a no-brainer for Joy.

“For sure,” he said. “That would be amazing.”

“So many great players come from Tassie.”