Fanning returns to South West
Legendary Powderfinger frontman-turned-soloist Bernard Fanning will make his way to Margaret River today ahead of the Leeuwin Family Concert tomorrow.
Fanning, who has spent the past six months living in Madrid with his wife Andrea Moreno while also penning his newest record, will headline the show with a refreshed band playing some new hits, songs from his album Tea & Sympathy and well-known Powderfinger tunes.
The 45-year-old musician said he always looked forward to travelling to WA, and Perth specifically, because the atmosphere was always good.
"With Powderfinger, we did a lot of travelling and we could never afford to go to Perth until about 1996," he said.
"And when we got there, we just loved it."
The Margaret River region also holds a special place in the heart of the Wish You Well singer who told the _Times _he had spent some time travelling the inland coast while "romancing" his wife many years ago.
"The whole remoteness of WA is just awesome," he said. "It definitely has a different feeling about it."
Fanning played his last gig in Margaret River in 2014 when he returned to the region to play with Powderfinger at a brewery.
Not having done any solo gigs in Margaret River before, he expected this weekend's Leeuwin Family Concert would be fun.
"It's a long weekend right," he said. "People make a pilgrimage there … I can't wait."
Fanning said people could expect a solid hour-and-a-half of music from him and his band, as he also performs some Powderfinger hits, including These Days, accompanied by an acoustic guitar and a piano.
Playing songs created while he was in the Australian rock band is something Fanning started doing again only relatively recently, and something he was initially hesitant about.
But it has become something he has enjoyed.
"I've played a few Powderfinger songs on my own," he said.
"For me it was a big change, because since the band split up I hadn't played any Powderfinger songs." Sydney-based indie pop band Little May will support Fanning tomorrow night, warming up the crowd from 7pm.
Fanning said he was looking forward to watching the three-girl band perform and urged people to support the act, which he said was "really good".
Fanning will take to the stage at the Leeuwin Family Concert from 8.15pm.
Tickets cost $95 for adults and $30 for children.
For more information, visit www.leeuwinestate.com.au/ bernard-fanning.
