An article including interview sections with Mark and James in the lead-up to their 2020 Never Again tour.

Author: Rockpit.

Date: 4 December 2019.

Original URL: https://www.therockpit.net/2019/james-reyne-mark-seymour-reunite-for-never-again-2020-australia-tour/

Article Text

Two of Australia’s most iconic singer songwriters, James Reyne and Mark Seymour, will join forces once again for the “Never Again 2020” national concert tour. The tour will take in shows across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, with dates also scheduled for Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Launceston, all kicking off from July 10, 2020.

The concept originated in 2005 and was warmly embraced by fans, with sell out shows across the country. The mutual respect between the two artists is palpable – “We’ve become really good friends,” James says. “Mark is a gentleman. He’s intelligent, widely read and worldly. And he’s very funny. He’s got a wonderfully dark sense of humour, not only about other people and things but himself. I like to think we’re similar in the sense we’re pretty self-critical, and we’re critical in general – we don’t suffer fools. And we don’t suffer ourselves either, as we tend to be a bit foolish sometimes.”

The ”Never Again 2020” show format will see James and Mark perform alone, showcasing a veritable song book of the finest Australian tracks from across their stellar careers, then joining forces for a combined set in what will make up a rare three part performance.

In a first for fans, when they purchase a ticket to the tour* they will automatically receive a copy of James’s new album TOON TOWN LULLABY and Mark’s new long player, SLOW DAWN. There is one ticket price only which includes ticket and CD, with CDs mailed out following purchase.

James Reyne has a celebrated history – including 19 Top 40 hits (nine solo, seven with Australian Crawl, and three as part of Company of Strangers) and he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1996. But his quizzical eye remains firmly focused on the future. “That was then, this is now,” he notes in one of the new album’s many highlights, ‘A Little Ol’ Town South Of Bakersfield’. “Don’t make the past your sacred cow.”

“The thing I like about James is he’s an Australian artist, but he’s not a comfortable fit,” Mark Seymour says. “There’s something a bit edgy about James … it’s not like you can connect James with any particular trope.”

Produced by Dorian West (who also plays on Mark’s Slow Dawn), Toon Town Lullaby – James’ 12th solo studio album – is an undeniable hit. Four decades after his first release, James remains defiant, “still tilting at those windmills and shouting at the rain”.

“There’s a really strong sense of character in James,” Mark adds. “He’s got a very powerful character that he can’t help – it just comes out of him. And, to me, that’s a real mark of honesty and truthfulness.”

Slow Dawn is Mark Seymour’s 10th solo studio album, and the fourth to be credited to Mark Seymour & The Undertow. He’s now released more albums solo than with Hunters & Collectors.

The new album opens with a song Mark wrote with James, ‘Night Driving’. “We both have a healthy cynicism about co-writing,” James smiles. “But it’s always fun to write with someone you feel really comfortable with.”

Slow Dawn is Mark’s first studio album since 2015’s Mayday, but he never stopped writing. “I’m always writing songs. It’s my lifeblood.”

“He’s still out there doing it, questioning everything, as you should,” James notes.

Produced by Nick DiDia (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Powderfinger), Slow Dawn showcases the power of The Undertow – Cameron McKenzie (Horsehead) on guitars, John Favaro (Boom Crash Opera, ex-Badloves) on bass, and Peter Maslen (Boom Crash Opera) on drums. “They’re a seriously great band,” Mark says proudly. “There’s a phenomenal amount of experience, and they’re really sensitive – everything they do is to serve the song.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to see two of Australia’s greatest songwriters, James Reyne and Mark Seymour, perform both together and alone – and be rewarded with their new albums in a very special, limited edition offer!

NEVER AGAIN 2020 NATIONAL TOUR
– featuring James Reyne & Mark Seymour –

July
Friday 10 The Forum – Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 11 The Forum – Melbourne, VIC
Friday 17 Civic Hall – Ballarat, VIC
Saturday 18 Ulumbarra Theatre – Bendigo, VIC
Friday 24 Cairns Performing Arts Centre – Cairns, QLD
Saturday 25 Townsville Civic Centre – Townsville, QLD

August
Friday 7 The Metro – Sydney, NSW
Saturday 8 The Metro – Sydney, NSW
Friday 14 QPAC – Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 15 Southport RSL – Southport, QLD *Ticket bundle not applicable to this show

September
Friday 4 Royal Theatre – Hobart, TAS
Saturday 5 Princess Theatre – Launceston, TAS
Friday 11 The Gov – Adelaide, SA *Ticket bundle not applicable to this show
Saturday 12 The Gov – Adelaide, SA *Ticket bundle not applicable to this show
Friday 18 The Regal Theatre – Perth, WA
Saturday 19 The Regal Theatre – Perth, WA

Tickets from jamesreyne.com.au and markseymour.com.au

PRE-SALE FROM 10AM THIS FRIDAY
GENERAL TICKETS ON SALE FROM 10AM, MONDAY DEC 9.

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