Simple Minds and Powderfinger to rock Australian Grand Prix
Legendary Scottish group Simple Minds and one of Australia’s greatest rock bands, Powderfinger, are to perform special concerts in Melbourne’s Albert Park during March’s Australian Grand Prix weekend. The shows, which will be free to all ticket holders, follow in the footsteps of previous post-race concerts by Kiss and The Who in 2007 and 2009 respectively.
Powderfinger, whose latest multi-platinum album, Golden Rule, took the trophy for ‘best album’ at the inaugural Rolling Stone awards in January, will take to the stage on Saturday night, whilst Simple Minds, who have sold more than 40 million albums worldwide since 1979, will play a one-off concert on Sunday night after the race.
“We are very excited to be playing at the Australian Grand Prix at the end of March and we hope our many Australian fans will come and join us for what will be a fantastic show,” said Simple Minds’ lead singer Jim Kerr. “We heard great things about The Who and KISS shows at your Grand Prix over the last couple of years. To be able to come back to Australia as a key part of this year's Grand Prix and to catch up with our Formula One mates will be brilliant.”
His counterpart at Powderfinger, Bernard Fanning, was just as enthusiastic, adding: “We think the Australian Grand Prix is a fantastic event and can’t wait to be part of the action at the circuit.”
More music on offer at Albert Park during the Grand Prix weekend will include ‘Sidetracked’, the race’s trackside music festival, and an appearance by Australian-Italian singer songwriter Gabriella Cilmi, who is scheduled to perform the Australian national anthem ahead of the March 28 race.
