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John williamson’s ‘winding back’ tour dates and ticket details.

John Williamson shares a beer with Edwina Bartholomew

For more than 50 years, John Williamson has been capturing Australia in song.

Now, after scoring a spot in the ARIA Hall of Fame, an Order of Australia and 28 Golden Guitar Awards, the music legend is heading back on the road for a new national tour.

Watch John Williamson sit down with Edwina Bartholomew above

The Winding Back Tour sees Williamson hit the stage for a string of shows in 40 locations across Australia.

The 75-year-old has warned fans that this could be your last chance to ever see him perform live.

“While I’m not looking to retire just yet, once I’ve completed my 2021/2022 Winding Back Tour I’ll be scaling down my live appearances,’ John says.

“I’ve always loved the connection I receive when performing, so you’ll still see me popping up at festivals and special events.”

“Winding Back’ means I’m looking forward to spending more time in the garden and less time away from home.”

• Friday 19 Feb Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide - x 2 shows – 3pm and 8pm
• Saturday 20 Feb Barossa Arts Centre, SA
• Saturday 13 Mar Kings Park and Botanical Garden, Perth
• Wednesday 17 Mar The Art House, Wyong, NSW
• Thursday 18 Mar The Art House, Wyong, NSW
• Friday 9 Apr Ipswich Civic Centre, Qld
• Saturday 10 Apr Redland Performing Arts Centre, Qld
• Sunday 11 Apr Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, Qld
• Thursday 15 Apr Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, Bundaberg, Qld
• Friday 16 Apr Brolga Theatre & Convention Centre, Maryborough, Qld
• Saturday 17 Apr The Events Centre, Caloundra, Qld
• Thursday 27 May Lighthouse Theatre, Warnambool, Vic – sold out -
• Friday 28 May Geelong Arts Centre, Vic
• Saturday 29 May Lighthouse Theatre, Warnambool, Vic - *1.00pm show
• Friday 2 Jul Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree, NSW
• Saturday 3 Jul Civic Theatre, Newcastle, NSW
• Sunday 4 Jul Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie, NSW
• Wednesday 14 Jul Burnie Arts & Function Centre, Tas
• Thursday 15 Jul Princess Theatre, Launceston, Tas
• Friday 16 Jul Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart7u6678
• Thursday 22 Jul Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, NSW
• Friday 23 Jul Commercial Club, Albury, NSW
• Saturday 30 Oct Twin Towns, Tweed Heads, NSW
• Tuesday 2 Nov Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton, Qld
• Wednesday 3 Nov Townsville Civic Theatre, Qld
• Friday 5 Nov Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre, Qld
• Thursday 18 Nov Southern Cross Club, Canberra
• Friday 19 Nov Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW
• Saturday 20 Nov Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW
• Friday 10 Dec Hornsby RSL, Sydney
• Saturday 11 Dec Penrith Panthers, NSW - *2 shows

Tickets are available now from JohnWilliamson.com

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John Williamson

As John slows down from the demands of touring and performs at fewer venues around the country, don’t miss this opportunity to see him, accompanied by his full band.

“I am really excited to be returning to ManPAC”, says John.

“It is going to be a very special night performing many of my favourite songs over the decades plus new releases and throwing a few good yarns in between”.

In 2024 our Aussie music icon will celebrate his 54 th year in the entertainment industry. With a swag of accolades including induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame and the Australian Roll of Renown, an Order of Australia, 28 Golden Guitar Awards, over 5 million albums sold, over one billion music streams reached in 2022 and a catalogue of over 500 self-penned songs.

Fans can expect enduring classics such as ‘ Galleries of Pink Galahs ’, ‘ Three Sons ’, ‘ Cydi’ , ‘ Raining on the Rock’ , ‘ Rip Rip Woodchip ’, not to mention ‘ True Blue’ .

Don’t miss out – ManPAC on Thursday 17 October 2024, before he finally ‘hangs his hat in QLD’ as the song says.

https://johnwilliamson.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/JohnWilliamsonMusic/

DATES AND TIMES

• Thursday 17 October 2024 7:30 pm

For wheelchair or Companion Card seats, please call the Box office on 9550 3900 .

John Williamson

In 2023 Australian music icon John Williamson will celebrate his 53d year in the entertainment industry–a remarkable achievement. 2020 and 2021 gave John a forced taste of retirement and the realisation that he’s not quite ready to hang up his guitar. However, 2023 will see John travelling less and performing at fewer and more selective venues and events. His accolades include induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame and the Australian Roll of Renown, an Order of Australia, 28 Golden Guitar Awards, not to mention over 5 million albums sold, over one billion music streams reached in 2022, thousands of shows performed across the country and a catalogue of over 500 self-penned songs. Few have accomplished so much. In January 2022 John was honoured with a life-sized bronze statue in his image in the main street of Tamworth; a significant reminder of his contribution to our country’s music and the national psyche, long after the last note has been played. When John Williamson wandered into Melbourne’s GTV9 studios in 1970 with a guitar under his arm, little did the Mallee farmer realise he’d make a 50+-year career out of singing and performing. His performance of ‘Old Man Emu’ (the first song John wrote) on Channel Nine’s New Faces program resulted in a number one single for five weeks and a recording deal. It also marked the appearance of a striking new talent: an unofficial custodian of Australian stories. Few people have travelled this country as extensively as John, gathering his stories from the people he meets and being inspired by the country he loves so much. He encapsulates in song the beauty, wonder and, sometimes, heartbreak of life Down Under. He has produced enduring classics such as ‘Galleries of Pink Galahs’, ‘Three Sons’, ‘A Bushman Can’t Survive’, ‘Cydi’, ‘Raining on the Rock’, ‘Rip Rip Woodchip’, not to mention ‘True Blue’. From boabs to billabongs and snowy mountains to sandy beaches, the Mallee-born songwriter’s 52 albums, including 20 original studio albums have traversed Australia like a dust-covered road train, deftly moving between larrikin humour and touching pathos. Perhaps John’s greatest legacy is in making Australians proud of their country and of who they are. So, don’t miss out and catch him at a venue somewhere in 2023 before he finally ‘hangs his hat in QLD’ as the song says.

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And we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and look forward to working with all First Nations People in the Bundaberg and North Burnett regions in sharing culture through tourism, in the spirit of mutual respect and reconciliation.

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John Williamson launches Winding Back tour to celebrate 50 years in music

AFTER more than 50 years on the road and in the recording studio, John Williamson is finally winding back - well, kind of.

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The beloved Aussie country-folk balladeer has launched his Winding Back tour and will perform at clubs and theatres all over the country throughout the year and well into 2022.

The tour was originally planned to start last year in celebration of the 50th th anniversary of his first song Old Man Emu , but had to be postponed because of COVID-19.

The 75-year-old said the Winding Back name was devised to signal his intention to scale down touring commitments, but the tour had quickly grown into something bigger and longer.

"It's just my way of saying I'm not completely retiring, but I'm thinking of mainly doing the festivals and not so much road touring," he said.

John said the tour would see him playing all the big hits his audience expected such as True Blue and Old Man Emu .

Picking the rest of the set list from a catalogue of over 500 songs is always a tougher challenge.

"I have quite a heavy skeleton of songs I'll never leave out during a show, but the funny ones stop being funny if you do them every night."

"One song called Bill the Cat about a cat that lost its knackers has become a bit of a singalong."

"In most shows, I try to take people on a journey around the country."

John grew up in a musical family in Quambatook Victoria, but was the first person in his family to go professional.

A former wheat farmer, he said he never imagined his music could take him so far.

"Music was just my hobby. I used to play lots of covers, but had never even considered that I could write a song."

Feeling there was a lack of authentic Australian storytellers working in music, he decided to try his hand at song writing and wrote Old Man Emu.

When he wandered into GTV9 Studios in Richmond with a guitar one day, his life changed.

"If I hadn't written it, I often wonder whether I would have left the land."

"Farming is a very hard life and quite often disappointing, but I haven't had a lot of disappointments with this career."

He said he was a proud Australian and loved writing about the Australian way of life

"Once I string a few words together, if I think they are worth working on, I write lyrics and look at the way I could try to express it. Then I find a melody and go from there."

"Ideas usually come from the passion I feel for the country, or even the world, but it's got to be something I feel strongly about."

While John has no plan to retire, he is looking forward to the chance to spend more time at his 100 acre property at Springbrook in South East Queensland after the tour.

"It's a beautiful place overlooking sub tropical rainforest and it's only 40 mins from the beach. It's just about most beautiful place to live in the world, as far as I'm concerned."

He said he would also like to mentor younger songwriters and to help produce their music.

He has no plans to record a new album at this stage, but is still writing and has not ruled out doing so in the future.

For a full list of tour dates and bookings, click here.

• Read more: John Williamson's classic song tweaked to celebrate Men's Sheds
• Read more: True Blue John returns to Tamworth

Rowan Cowley

Hi, my name is Rowan Cowley and I'm a reporter for The Senior newspaper. I have special interests in the areas of entertainment, the arts and history and would like to hear from anyone who feels they have a good story idea.

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John Williamson - Winding Back - Celebrating 52 Years

20 apr 2022 - town hall.

Presented by Artist Network & Fair Dinkum Road Co

Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 02:00PM

Early Bird Discount until 31 January

A transaction fee of $2.50 (internet) or $3.50 (in person) or $4.50 (phone) will also apply.  Ticket price includes booking fee, and GST. 

SHOW TIMES: (All times are approximate and open to change) Doors Open:    30 minutes prior to performance

Start time:    2:00pm Interval:  Yes

Performance Run Time:  2 hours 30 minutes Food Available: Candy Bar

Bar Facilities:  Yes Merchandise Sales: Yes Artist Signings:  TBA Fogger/Hazer/Smoke Machine/Strobe: No Age limitations applicable:  No

Max age for lap sitting: Lap sitting not available Language/Nudity/Violence:  No

Will there be screens available at the show:  No

Are Photographic or recording devices permitted inside the venue:   Phones only no flash

Print at home tickets available?  Yes

Online purchase limit:  No limit Companion cards accepted?   Yes

Special needs bookings  can be made over the phone on (02) 6767 5200 

Important Terms & Conditions of sale:

No refunds, no exchanges

The right is reserved to vary, substitute or withdraw advertised programs, artists, venue or seating arrangements as necessary.

Click here for full Terms and Conditions

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JOHN WILLIAMSON ‘Winding Back’ – Celebrating 50+ Years

Rescheduled and new tour dates announced for 2021/2022 including three shows at anitas theatre thirroul 19, 20 & 21st nov..

October 20, 2021

2021 has seen John Williamson hit the road again on his much-anticipated Winding Back tour, celebrating 52 years in the music and entertainment industry as he looks toward ‘winding back’ his exhaustive touring schedule that has seen him cross Australia almost every single year for most of his career. 

Whilst 2021 continues to be a challenge to touring, John happily reschedules his touring schedule as needed – and so dates that were scheduled for regional Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania have been rescheduled for late 2021 and into 2022.

The Winding Back Tour will eventually take in more than 40 dates across Australia. Full tour details available below and at www.johnwilliamson.com.au .

When John Williamson wandered into Richmond’s GTV9 studios in 1970 with a guitar under his arm, little did the Mallee farmer realise he’d make a 50+-year career out of singing and performing. His performance of ‘ Old Man Emu ’, the first song John had ever written, on Channel Nine’s popular New Faces program resulted in a number one single and a record deal. It also marked the appearance of a striking new talent: an unofficial custodian of Australian stories. 

Watch ‘Old Man Emu’

Half a century on, John Williamson has made an art of expertly capturing Australia in song. Painting lyrical pictures of our unique fauna and flora, landscapes and people, John has encapsulated the beauty, wonder and, sometimes, heartbreak of life Down Under. From boabs to billabongs and snowy mountains to sandy beaches, the Mallee-born songwriter’s 52 albums–including 20 original studio albums–have traversed Australia like a dust-covered road train, deftly moving between larrikin humour and touching pathos.

‘While I’m not looking to retire just yet, once I’ve completed the Winding Back Tour I’ll be scaling down my live appearances,’ John says. ‘ I’ve always loved the connection I receive when performing, so you’ll still see me popping up at festivals and special events. ‘Winding Back’ means I’m looking forward to spending more time in the garden and less time away from home.’

With his honours including the ARIA Hall of Fame, an Order of Australia, 28 Golden Guitar Awards, Australian Roll of Renown induction, not to mention over 5 million albums sold and thousands of shows performed, it’s hard to begrudge the 75-year-old a less hectic schedule. First though, there’s an anniversary to celebrate.

In November 2020, John Williamson’s True Blue has been inducted into the National Film and Sound Archives ‘Sounds Of Australia’, recognising its significance as an iconic Australian song.

Perhaps John’s greatest legacy is making Australians proud of their country and of who they are. So, don’t miss him, True Blue himself, in your town or city for what could be the final time.

WINDING BACK TOUR DATES

Saturday 30 October  Twin Towns, Tweed Heads, NSW 

Tuesday 2 November Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton, Qld 

Wednesday 3 November Townsville Civic Theatre, Qld 

Friday 5 November Mackay Entertainment Convention Centre, Qld  

Tuesday 9 November Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree, NSW   – SOLD OUT  

Wednesday 10 November Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie, NSW – SOLD OUT  

Friday 19 November Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW

Saturday 20 November Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW  

Sunday, 21 st November Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW – 3pm show  

Thursday 2 nd December Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, NSW 

Friday 3 December Commercial Club, Albury, NSW  

Saturday 4 December Commercial Club, Albury, NSW 

Friday 10 December Hornsby RSL, Sydney

Saturday 11 December Penrith Panthers, NSW – *2 shows  

Saturday 15January Civic Theatre, Newcastle, NSW  

Friday 21 January Tamworth Town Hall, Tamworth NSW 

Tuesday 8 February Lighthouse Theatre, Warnambool, Vic 

Wednesday 9 February Lighthouse Theatre, Warnambool,

Friday 11 February Frankston Arts Centre, Vic

Saturday 12 February West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul, Vic

Sunday 13 February The Wedge, Sale, Vic 

Tuesday 15 February Costa Hall, Geelong, Vic

Thursday 17 February Ballarat Civic Hall, Ballarat, Vic 

Friday 18 February Riverlinks Eastbank, Shepparton, VIC

Saturday 19 February Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo, VIC

Thursday 24 February Princess Theatre, Launceston, Tas 

Friday 25 February Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart, Tas

Saturday 26 February Burnie Arts & Function Centre, Tas

Thursday 17 th March Bunbury Entertainment Centre, WA 

Friday 18 th March Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, WA 

Saturday 19 th March Astor Theatre, Perth, WA  

For a complete list of tour dates and ticketing details please visit www.johnwilliamson.com.au/tour

John Williamson In Concert

Perhaps John’s greatest legacy is making Australians proud of their country and of who they are.

# Don’t miss 'True Blue' himself before he finally 'hangs his hat'.

As John slows down from the demands of touring and performs at fewer venues around the country, don’t miss this opportunity to see him perform at Empire Theatre.

Performing a swag of enduring classics such as ‘Galleries of Pink Galahs’, ‘Three Sons’, ‘Cydi’, ‘Raining on the Rock’, ‘Rip Rip Woodchip’, not to mention ‘True Blue’.

Don’t miss 'True Blue' himself before he finally 'hangs his hat'.

Friday 20 September - 8:00pm

Empire Theatre

170mins with 20mins interval

# What's on

Waru - journey of the small turtle

Queens of Song

16 – 17 Jul

Don't You Know Who I Am!

9 – 12 Jul

Lovesong the Cabaret

BILL BAILEY: Thoughtifier

The Royal Society of Tasmania

The advancement of knowledge

Personal profile: John Williamson

John has been a passionate teacher for 40 years. He has taught Pre-Tertiary Modern History, Ancient History and Philosophy, at Fahan School and he has lectured on Antarctic History at the University of Tasmania’s Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies. John and a colleague developed the Polar Pathways Tour for the State Government and John has been a regular guide for these during the Antarctic Mid-Winter Festivals. John has worked in Antarctica as a guide/historian.

John Williamson

Concerts and tour dates.

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Shaun Williamson believes ‘Sweet Caroline’ is football’s ultimate anthem

Williamson, best known for playing Barry Evans in EastEnders, surprised fans at Boxpark Wembley before England’s clash with Denmark at Euro 2024.

Former EastEnders star Shaun Williamson has backed ‘Sweet Caroline’ as football’s ultimate anthem after surprising fans at Boxpark Wembley with a rendition ahead of England’s clash with Denmark.

Williamson, to many still better known as Barry Evans from the BBC soap, has found a new calling as the emcee of ‘Barrioke’, a karaoke event that has seen him entertain huge crowds on an enormously popular – and seemingly indefinite – tour around the UK.

The 58-year-old’s new gig has made him an expert in how the masses relate to music and stands by the Neil Diamond’s hit song – ranked England’s favourite football tune in a recent survey – while he feels Phil Foden would make the best soap star out of Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Williamson told the PA news agency: “There’s been some belters, any Liverpool fan will tell you it’s ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ and every particular team has their own anthem, but to me it’s ‘Sweet Caroline’.

“It’s just a beautiful song. I don’t think you can beat it. It’s simple. Like most great songs, there’s a simplicity to them. There’s some notable rivals, like ‘Three Lions’ or ‘Vindaloo’ by Fat Les, but I think ‘Sweet Caroline’ takes it.”

England supporters agree. In a poll carried out by Coca-Cola Zero Sugar about fans’ favourite anthems, ‘Sweet Caroline’ took 31 per cent of the vote followed by ‘We Are the Champions’ (29 per cent), ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ (25 per cent) and ‘Three Lions’ (23 per cent), with ‘Vindaloo’ (15 per cent) rounding out the top five.

Asked to envision a Eurovision of football songs, Williamson thinks a combination of Scottish DJ Calvin Harris and frequent collaborator Rag’n’Bone Man could write a winning hit for a UK entry.

He said: “Calvin Harris just keeps writing these anthems. I don’t know where the man gets it from. He’s in his own field, he’s a genius.”

It has been more than 20 years since EastEnders’ Barry met an untimely demise when he was pushed off a cliff by his wife, Janine Butcher, and Williamson admits there was a point where he “tried his level best to shake [Barry] off, but Barry has come in again in the form of Barrioke, and it’s this wonderful Indian summer to the autumn of my career”.

Williamson thinks Phil Foden is best placed to provide the drama and water-cooler dialogue necessary to make a successful soap star.

The Extras star, who played a satirical version of himself on hit comedy, also feels captain Harry Kane “gets the double standard of you’re appearing on the show, but they’re taking the mickey out of you big time” to serve him well in a cameo appearance if Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant ever revive the show.

Williamson is confident England have what it takes to at least reach the semi-finals this year, and agreed that whatever twists, turns and cliff-hangers there are to come, watching Southgate’s men can sometimes feel a bit like tuning into the soap on which he once so famously appeared.

“It can be uplifting, it can have its funny moments, but if you’re an England fan it can be downright depressing, just like EastEnders,” he said.

“Whereas in EastEnders if they’re struggling for a really good storyline they have a murder.

“England just have penalties.”

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It is hard to describe John Williamson and his music without thinking that you have left something out or underrated his contribution and achievements.

How do you sum up an artist who has captured a country in song and had such a successful career in one of the most cutthroat industries around? It’s an almost impossible task.

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