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Tributes, Stage Shows and Lectures (AUS/NZ)

 

In this section, we explore the David Bowie tributes and related performances around Australia/NZ.

If you have an upcoming Bowie event, please email me so I can add it to the news page.


Ongoing


Several tributes operate on a fairly regular, ongoing basis. Some of these have ßoperated for years now. ßJeff Duff's Bowie shows have been going for decades:

SYDNEY / NSW
CARINDA / NSW

Jeff Duff & Friends:BOWIE UNZIPPED

Bowie Unzipped
JD Website
JD Fan Page
JD Facebook

 

Let's Dance Carinda: Annual Bowie Festival

LDC Website
LDC Facebook Page

MELBOURNE / VIC
MELBOURNE / VIC

The Thin White Ukes

Facebook 
Website


Adam Rudegeair Quintet: The Bowie Project

Project 1 Bandcamp
Project 2 Bandcamp
AR Facebook
Blackwax (PBS)
ADELAIDE / SA
PERTH / WA
Ashes to Ashes: David Bowie Experience

Website 		Major Tom Bowie Tribute

Website
Facebook
\

 

In the Corner of the Morning in the Past


Prior to 2015 / 2016, tributes around AUS/NZ were a lot less frequent.

From the time I started Bowie Downunder in 2001, I tried to document as much as I could on a case by case situation.

This gave rise to the following list.....

 

David Bowie Is Melbourne (2015)


The world wide David Bowie Is exhibition came to Melbourne in mid 2015.

Corresponding with this were numerous performances and lectures including an all out David Bowie Symposium.

For more info check out at the ACMI website here.

 

 

 

The Underlings (and Guests): Bowie Tribute (2015)


Recognising the 40th Anniversary of Young Americans and the 41st Anniversary of Diamond Dogs, Ash Naylor and friends played a Bowie tribute at the Yarraville Club in Melbourne.

Check out the full size flyer here.
1. Diamond Dogs (Davey Lane) 9. 1984 (Ron Peno)
2. Rebel Rebel (Anton Ruddick) 10. Heroes (Ron Peno)
3. When You Rock n Roll With Me (Steve Pinkerton) 11. Kooks (Ash Naylor)
4. Boys Keep Swinging (Ross Mclennan) 12. Young Americans (Tim Rogers)
5. Right (Ross Mclennan) 13. Fame (Tim Rogers)
6. Across The Universe (Davey Lane) 14. Ziggy Stardust (Tim Rogers)
7. Under Pressure (Gemma Sharard & Peter Luscombe) 15. Suffragete City (Cast)
8. Life on Mars? (Kat Spazzy)  


  Mar 21, 2015 Melbourne Yarraville Club, Yarraville
 

Georgia Fields: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust (2013)


Georgia Fields played The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars in it's entirety at both Pure Pop Records and The Flying Saucer Club in Melbourne backed mainly by a small string section. Check out our video section on facebook.
1. Five Years (Georgia Fields and band) 6. Lady Stardust (Georgia Fields and band)
2. Soul Love (Georgia Fields and band) 7. Star (Georgia Fields and band)
3. Moonage Daydream (Georgia Fields and band) 8. Hang on to Yourself (Georgia Fields and band)
4. Starman (Georgia Fields and band) 9. Ziggy Stardust (Georgia Fields and band)
5. It Aint's Easy (Georgia Fields and band) 10.Suffragete City (Georgia Fields and band)
  11. Rock n Roll Suicide (Georgia Fields and band)
  12. Where Are We Now? (Georgia Fields and band) - Flying Saucer Club Bonus Track

  Feb 10, 2013 Melbourne Pure Pop Records, St. Kilda
  May 24, 2013 Melbourne Flying Saucer Club, Elsterwick

Julia Stone: Let's Dance (2013)


Multi-platinum selling folk-blues artist Julia Stone performed the album Let's Dance in it's entirety. To see some of this gig, visit our facebook page and click on videos.
1. Modern Love (Julia Stone & band) 5. Ricochet (Julia Stone & band)
2. China Girl (Julia Stone & band) 6. Criminal World (Julia Stone & band)
3. Let's Dance (Julia Stone & band) 7. Cat People (Julia Stone & band)
4. Without You (Julia Stone & band) 8. Shake It (Julia Stone & band)


  Jan 16, 2013 Melbourne Pure Pop Records, St. Kilda

The Girls Who Sold The World (2012)


An acoustic tribute by various female artists. It tied in with the launch of a David Bowie tribute album (online only). Website here. Facebook page here.
1. Space Oddity (Talisa Jobe) 6. As The World Falls Down (Lauren Taylor)
2. Nature Boy (Parapluie) 7. Magic Dance (Lauren Taylor)
3. John, I'm Only Dancing (Al Parkinson) 8. Suffragete City (Alex Scott Douglas)
4. Starman (Parapluie) 9. Diamond Dogs (Alex Scott Douglas)
5. Changes (Talisa Jobe)  

  Oct 28. 2012 Melbourne Wesley Ann, Northcote

Ziggy Stardust 40th Anniversary Party (2012)


Featuring special live performances and installations from Australian and international musicians. Facebook page here.

  Sept 11, 2012 Sydney Blender Art Gallery

Ziggy Stardust: A Spoken Word Tribute


As part of the Writer's Festival in both Melbourne and Brisbane, this event featured a mix of Bowie music, trivia and dance routines and in what was pimarily billed as a spoken word event.

Brisbane facebook page here. Melbourne page here.

  Aug 25, 2012 Melbourne Regal Ballroom, Northcote
  Sept 8, 2012 Brisbane Power House

Even: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust (2012)


Even (featuring Ash Naylor) played The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars in it's entirety for one night only at the Cherry Bar on AC/DC Lane. Facebook page here. Some of this performance can now be heard in our videos section on facebook.
1. Five Years (Even) 6. Lady Stardust (Even)
2. Soul Love (Even) 7. Star(Even)
3. Moonage Daydream (Even) 8. Hang on to Yourself (Even)
4. Starman (Even) 9. Ziggy Stardust (Even)
5. It Aint's Easy (Even) 10.Suffragete City(Even)
  11. Rock n Roll Suicide(Even)

  Aug 18, 2012 Melbourne Cherry Bar



IMPRO Lab-rinth (2012)


The classic David Bowie movie improvised. IMPRO have produced live interactive theatre in Australia for 25 years. More info here.
  Aug 03, 2012 Sydney New Theatre, Newtown

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'. Watch this on our facebook page under "videos".

  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

Suffragete City: A Tribute to Bowie (2011)


Auckland tribute featuring Ruby Frost, Glass Owls, Salvi Stone, DJ Andrew Tidball. Ruby sang 'Life on Mars' and 'Space Oddity'.

  Oct 27, 2011 Auckland The Basement

The Labyrinth (2011)


Melbourne stage play featuring students of Buckley Park College. Along with being a stage interpretation of the cult movie, the show included live performances of Bowie songs such as 'Underground' and 'Magic Dance' from the movie.

A news article can be viewed here.

  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

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 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

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

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 their website 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

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

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

Ashes to Ziggy (2008-2012)


Canberra and NSW tribute featuring singer Paul Lyons. The band was operational for approx. five years before calling it quits in early 2013. You can find their old facebook page here and their myspace page here.
  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

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

Ziggy: Jeff Duff and Friends (2006 ongoing)


Long standing Sydney based tribute featuring Jeff Duff and friends. The show has often included musicians 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 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 Wollongong Beaches Hotel, Thirroul
  Nov 18, 2010 Melbourne Palais Theatre, St. Kilda
  Nov 20, 2010 Brisbane QPAC Concert Hall
  Nov 28, 2010 Sydney State Theatre

  Oct 14, 2011 Sydney The Enmore Theatre
  Oct 16, 2011 Wollongong Beaches Hotel, Thirroul

  Jun 20, 2012 Adelaide Dunstan Playhouse
  Jun 21, 2012 Adelaide Dunstan Playhouse
  Jun 22, 2012 Adelaide Dunstan Playhouse
  Jun 23, 2012 Adelaide Dunstan Playhouse
  Sep 26, 2012 Sydney Sydney Opera House
  Sep 27, 2012 Sydney Sydney Opera House
  Sep 28, 2012 Sydney Sydney Opera House (matinee show)
  Sep 28, 2012 Sydney Sydney Opera House (evening show)

  Jul 12, 2013 Newcastle Lizotte's
  Jul 13, 2013 Newcastle Lizotte's
  Jul 18, 2013 - 8:00 PM Sydney Sydney Opera House
  Jul 19, 2013 - 7:15 PM Sydney Sydney Opera House
  Jul 19, 2013 - 8:45 PM Sydney Sydney Opera House
  Jul 20, 2013 - 5:30 PM Sydney Sydney Opera House
  Jul 20, 2013 - 9:30 PM Sydney Sydney Opera House
  Aug 10, 2013 Sydney Dee Why RSL, Dee Why

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

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

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

Loving The Alien (2005)


A Melbourne based tribute band that 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

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

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

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

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

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

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