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Tributes, Stage Shows and Lectures (AUS/NZ)
In this section, we explore some of the David Bowie tributes and related performances that are either currently in operation around Australia/NZ or have occurred in the recent past...


Jeff Duff & Friends
(Sydney / NSW)
Ashes to Ziggy
(Canberra / NSW)
All Star Bowie Tribute
(Perth / WA)


Life on Mars (2001)


Sydney stage show by Aidan Roberts, David Hollywood, Liam Judson, Jonathan Hunter, Tim Batson, Scott Best and Murray Sheridan. Roberts and Judson are now in the alternative rock band Belles Will Ring.

See our page here.

  Nov 16, 2001 Sydney Newtown Theatre
  Nov 17, 2001 Sydney Newtown Theatre
  Nov 22, 2001 Sydney Newtown Theatre
  Nov 23, 2001 Sydney Newtown Theatre
  Nov 24, 2001 Sydney Newtown Theatre
  Nov 25, 2001 Sydney Newtown Theatre
  Nov 29, 2001 Sydney Newtown Theatre
  Nov 30, 2001 Sydney Newtown Theatre
  Dec 1, 2001 Sydney Newtown Theatre
  Dec 2, 2001 Sydney Newtown Theatre

Hunky Dory Tribute Show (2002)


Melbourne tribute featuring Peter Maskell, Jona Byron, Mark Eden, Andy Gordon, Raoul Graff, Chris Chapple, The Spoils, Kerri Simpson, Rebecca Barnard, Andy White and Cyndi Boste.

See our page here.
  Dec 8, 2002 Melbourne The Corner Hotel, Richmond

Ziggy on Stage (2003-04)


Brisbane tribute organised by BDU member, James Lees. Featured Alison St Ledger, Charles Foster Kane, Lucinda Shaw, Tylea, Annie Lee, Alister Bell, Daniel Hack, Guy Webster, Tyrone Noonan, Tim Steward, Grant McLennan and Rachel Dixon.

See our page here.
  June, 2003 Brisbane The Zoo
  May 14, 2004 Brisbane The Tivoli Theatre

Dream Reality: Tribute (2004)


Adelaide tribute featuring Denis Kirkham. The show was played across two nights (both a main show and a preview) and was part of a series dedicated to the 20th centuries most timeless talents. According to their description, the show had been percolating in the soul of Denis for over 2 years and featured 'a top lineup of musicians, one having previously backed Santana'.

  Jan 15, 2004 Adelaide The Weimar Room
  Jan 17, 2004 Adelaide The Weimar Room

The Goon Squad (2004)


Debut show for Adelaide based tribute band. One of the band members described: "A 7 piece band is a little echoey in a wooden floored pub, so some further fine tuning'll be required to clean up our act a bit. The punters stayed, danced, and one even grabbed the front mic for a couple of Jean Genie verses!".
  Apr 17, 2004 Adelaide Wakefield Tavern

Watch That Man: David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust (2005)


A public lecture featuring Professor Philip Auslander, author of the book Performing Glam Rock.

Philip also appeared on ABC radio, the podcast of which can be heard here.

  May 16, 2005 Melbourne Latrobe University

Loving The Alien (2005)


A Melbourne based tribute band that unfortunately folded at the last moment. A gig was scheduled for the Barleycorn Hotel but after one of the band members moved to Queensland, it was all over before it began. See flyer.

  Sep 25, 2005 Melbourne Barleycorn Hotel, Collingwood

Ground Control to Frank Sinatra (2005-07)


Sydney based show featuring Jeff Duff that uniquely fuses the style of David Bowie with that of Frank Sinatra. The project has inspired two studio albums to date; Ground Control to Frank Sinatra, and Lost in the Stars. Link.
  Aug 19, 2005 Sydney Sydney Opera House - The Studio
  Aug 20, 2005 Sydney Sydney Opera House - The Studio
  Mar 10, 2006 Sydney The Brass Monkey
  Oct 5, 2007 Sydney The Vanguard
  Nov 25, 2007 Sydney The Brass Monkey

Ngapartji Ngapartji (2005-09)


Nation wide stage play by Scott Rankin and Trevor Jamieson. Features Bowie (and David Byrne) songs translated to the extremely rare - and threatened - Aboriginal language of Pitjantjarajara.
  Oct, 2005 Melbourne Melbourne International Arts Festival
  Jun, 2006 Alice Springs Araluen Centre
  Oct, 2006 Melbourne Melbourne International Arts Festival
  Nov, 2006 Sydney Sydney Opera House
  Feb, 2007 Perth Perth International Arts Festival
  Jun 8-10, 2007 Queensland The Dreaming Festival
  Jun 14-17, 2007 Adelaide Adelaide Cabaret Festival
  Jan 12 - Feb 10, 2008 Sydney Sydney Festival, Belvior St Theatre
  Sep 24-25, 2008 Ernabella Ernabella
  Oct 2-4, 2008 Alice Springs Araluen Centre

Babble: Hunky Dory Spoken Word (2006)


Melbourne spoken word tribute organised by Sean Wheelan. The show also included a bonus musical cover of 'Under Pressure'. See flyer here.
1. Changes (Andy Jackson) 7. Fill Your Heart (Josephine Rowe)
2. Oh! You Pretty Things (Simon Hall) 8. Andy Warhol (Ben Pobjie)
3. Eight Line Poem (Sean M Whelan) 9. Song For Bob Dylan (Alicia sometimes)
4. Life on Mars? (Emilie Zoey Baker) 10. Queen Bitch (David Prater)
5. Kooks (Raceless - Curse Ov Dialect) 11. The Bewlay Brothers (Klare Lanson)
6. Quicksand (Dan Lee)   

  Oct 4, 2006 Melbourne Bar Open, Fitzroy

Ziggy: Jeff Duff and Friends (2006 ongoing)


Long standing Sydney based tribute featuring Jeff Duff and friends that has included Steve Balbi, Damien Lovelock, Chris E Thomas, Peter Northcote, Natasha Stuart and Inga Inglestrom.

In 2010, the tribute was taken to larger theatres in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Joining Duff and Balbi were iOTA and Brydon Stace. Link.

In 2011, the tribute returned this time to Sydney and Wollongong. Joining Duff and Balbi was Paul Capsis and Christa Hughes. Link.

The following dates are probably incomplete.
  Oct 13, 2006 Sydney The Vanguard, Newtown
  Oct 14, 2006 Sydney The Vanguard, Newtown
  Apr 26, 2007 Sydney The Vanguard, Newtown
  Apr 27, 2007 Sydney The Vanguard, Newtown
  Apr 28, 2007 Sydney The Vanguard, Newtown
  Dec 07, 2007 Sydney The Vanguard, Newtown
  Dec 08, 2007 Sydney The Vanguard, Newtown
  Aug 22, 2008 Sydney The Vanguard, Newtown
  Dec 12, 2008 Sydney The Brass Monkey
  Dec 13, 2008 Sydney The Vanguard, Newtown
  Nov 07, 2009 Sydney Dee Why RSL, Dee Why
  Oct 16, 2010 Sydney Beaches Hotel, Thirroul
  Nov 18, 2010 Sydney Palais Theatre, St. Kilda
  Nov 20, 2010 Sydney QPAC Concert Hall
  Nov 28, 2010 Sydney State Theatre
  Oct 14, 2011 Sydney The Enmore Theatre
  Oct 16, 2011 Sydney Beaches Hotel, Thirroul

Sleeping Beauty (2007)


Melbourne stage play featuring three Bowie songs including 'Rock n Roll Suicide' and two others.

Michael Kantor (director), Paul Jackson (lighting designer), Anna Tregloan (set and costume designer), Maryanne Lynch. Actors / Singers: Renee Geyer, Alison Bell, Grant Smith, Ian Stenlake and Piet Collin. Musicians: Peter Farnan (musical director), Simon Burke, Andrew Sylvio and John Favaro.

  Jul 06, 2008 - 8:00 PM Sydney Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 07, 2008 - 2:30 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 07, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 08, 2008 - 5:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 10, 2008 - 6:30 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 11, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 12, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 13, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 14, 2008 - 2:30 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 14, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 15, 2008 - 5:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 17, 2008 - 6:30 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 18, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 19, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 20, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 21, 2008 - 2:30 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 21, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 22, 2008 - 5:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 24, 2008 - 6:30 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 25, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 26, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 27, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 28, 2008 - 2:30 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank
  Jul 28, 2008 - 8:00 PM Melbourne Malthouse Theatre, Southbank

Ashes to Ziggy (2008 ongoing)


Canberra and NSW tribute featuring singer Paul Lyons.
  Feb 14, 2008 Canberra The Burns Club, Kambah
  Mar 07, 2008 Canberra West Belconnen Leagues Club
  Mar 08, 2008 Canberra West Belconnen Leagues Club
  Mar 19, 2011 Ulladulla The Milton and Ulladulla Ex Servos Club
  Mar 25, 2011 Queenbeyan Q Theatre
  May 27, 2011 Wollongong Illawara Performing Arts Centre
  Jul 30, 2011 Mulwala Club Mulwala
  Mar 16, 2012 Sydney Occidental Hotel

Spiders from Mars: Bowie and Beatles (2008)


Wellington tribute featuring students of Whitireia Community Polytechnic.

Situated over two nights, on three stages and with seven bands; Whitireia music students worked together with original songwriters and poets to step inside the creative genius of David Bowie and The Beatles. The bands reinterpreted Bowie & Beatles songs, and the singer-songwriters and poets presented original work following the theme of 'Spiders from Mars'. Link.
  Sep 24, 2008 - 8:00 PM Wellington Shooters Bar
  Sep 25, 2008 - 8:00 PM Wellington Shooters Bar

Life on Mars?: Comedy Festival Finale (2009)


Melbourne tribute organised by Casey Bennetto and Scott Edgar. This was the finale to the 2009 Comedy Festival and for one night only, festival artists and musicians were brought together from everywhere in a riotous extravaganza. Proceeds went to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. The show went for 1.5 hours.
1. Diamond Dogs 12. China Girl (Xani Kolac)
2. Rebel Rebel (Jordie Lane) 13. Magic Dance (Axis of Awesome)
3. Starman (Beau Heartbreaker) 14. Life on Mars? (Geraldine Quinn)
4. Rock & Roll Suicide (Wes Snelling) 15. Space Oddity (Tim Minchin)
5. Andy Warhol (Clare Jenkins) 16. Wild is the Wind (Taasha and Tristan)
6. Changes (Defah Dattner, Aurora Kurth & Clare Bowditch) 17. John I'm Only Dancing (Suitcase Royale)
7. Young Americans (Elana Stone) 18. Let's Dance (Flap)
8. Sweet Thing (Kirsty Burn) 19. Ashes to Ashes (Tripod)
9. Five Years (Simon Hall) 20. Heroes (Astrid Rot)
10. Under Pressure (Geraldine Quinn & Scott Brennan) 21. The Jean Genie
11. Moonage Daydream (Ali McGregor)   


  Apr 18, 2009 Melbourne Trades Hall

All Star Showstoppers (2010 ongoing)


A tribute concept that involves a rotating cast of the same five musicians in addition to having a stand alone tribute to David Bowie.

Further details can be found on this page whilst more details on the 'All Star Supergroup' (a situation in which a Bowie tribute can potentially share the same stage as an Elvis Costello tribute, a Mark Knopfler tribute and a Ringo Starr tribute among others) can be found here.
  Jul 23, 2010 Perth Civic Hotel, Inglewood
  Oct 30, 2010 Perth Leisure Inn Hotel, Rockingham

Rock n Roll Suicide (2010)


New Zealand stage play featuring Margaret O'Hanlon, Max Gunn, Penny McGrath and Shaun Vining. Set through the lyrics of 24 Bowie songs that were performed live, it follows the story of Joe Rockstar who goes to London in 1969 to become a rock star but discovers the dream is not all he hoped it would be. The show gained the attention of David Bowie himself. Link.
  Oct 27, 2010 Queenstown, NZ Athenaeum Hall, Arrowtown
  Oct 28, 2010 Queenstown, NZ Athenaeum Hall, Arrowtown
  Oct 29, 2010 Queenstown, NZ Athenaeum Hall, Arrowtown

The Ziggy Stardust Meets Tiny Tim Songbook (2011)


Bowie themed show that included a performance of the entire Ziggy Stardust album along with Tiny Tim songs. Performed by New York artist Taylor Mac. Link.
  Jan 25, 2011 Sydney Sydney Opera House - The Studio
  Jan 26, 2011 Sydney Sydney Opera House - The Studio
  Feb 14, 2011 Melbourne Melbourne Recital Centre - Salon
  Feb 25, 2011 Sydney Sydney Opera House - The Studio
  Feb 27, 2011 Brisbane The Powerhouse
  Mar 03, 2011 Sydney Sydney Opera House - The Studio
  Mar 04, 2011 Sydney Sydney Opera House - The Studio

David Bowie Tribute (2011)


Melbourne tribute featuring The Queen's Head, Tom Budge and Peter Ewing
1. Be My Wife (Peter Ewing & Friends) 12. Boys Keep Swinging (The Queens Head)
2. Rebel Rebel (Peter Ewing & Friends) 13. Let's Dance (The Queens Head)
3. It Ain't Easy (Peter Ewing & Friends) 14. Fame (The Queens Head)
4. Andy Warhol (Peter Ewing & Friends) 15. Ashes to Ashes (The Queens Head)
5. Five Years (Peter Ewing & Friends) 16. Young Americans (The Queens Head)
6. Space Oddity (Peter Ewing & Friends)) 17. Fashion (The Queens Head)
7. Moonage Daydream (Tom Budge) 18. Sons of the Silent Age (The Queens Head)
8. Life on Mars? (Tom Budge) 19. Under Pressure (The Queens Head)
9. Rock n Roll Suicide (Tom Budge) 20. Magic Dance (The Queens Head)
10. Sweet Thing (Tom Budge)   
11. Lady Stardust (Tom Budge)   


  Aug 27, 2011 Melbourne Great Britain Hotel, Richmond

The Labyrinth (2011)


Melbourne stage play featuring students of Buckley Park College that also included live performances of Bowie songs such as 'Underground' and 'Magic Dance' from the movie.
  Aug 31, 2011 Melbourne The Clocktower Centre, Moonee Ponds
  Sep 01, 2011 Melbourne The Clocktower Centre, Moonee Ponds
  Sep 02, 2011 Melbourne The Clocktower Centre, Moonee Ponds

Suffragete City: A Tribute to Bowie (2011)


Auckland tribute featuring Ruby Frost, Glass Owls, Salvi Stone, DJ Andrew Tidball.

  Oct 27, 2011 Auckland The Basement

Nile Rodgers Q and A (2012)


Bowie producer Nile Rodgers did a couple of Q&A sessions whilst on tour. At the Melbourne event, he offered a unique interpretation of 'Let's Dance'.

  Mar 05, 2012 Sydney Metro Theatre
  Mar 07, 2012 Melbourne Polyester Records

Life on Mars (2012)


Melbourne based Bowie and Iggy Pop tribute featuring Ferrett Silverfish.

The second show at The Prague featured three Bowie songs ('Diamond Dogs', 'Watch That Man' and 'The Jean Genie'), three Iggy and The Stooges songs and about five originals.
  Feb, 2012 Melbourne Bell Tavern, Belgrave
  Mar 03, 2012 Melbourne The Prague, Thornbury