Violin Virtuoso Patrick Roberts Releases Pink for National Breast Cancer Foundation

It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas presents. I’ve got your Grandma sorted; buy her Pink by Patrick Roberts and she’ll love you forever.

You might not know the name, but Patrick is one of this country’s most talented young violinists. The album features his exquisite instrumental covers of old favourites like “La Vie En Rose” and “Smile” as well as more contemporary songs like “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “Hallelujah.” It’s a beautiful collection, and one with a serious purpose.

Patrick will donate all proceeds from sales of Pink to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. It’s a cause close to Patrick’s heart after his mother was diagnosed with the disease in 2009. She’s well now, but it took a mastectomy, six months of chemo, and six weeks of daily radiotherapy to get her there.

“She was extremely sick throughout the chemotherapy and at times thought she was not going to survive through it all,” Patrick recounts in the album’s press release. “Throughout this terrible time it really opened my eyes to the many women in the world who have been affected by this disease.”

So get Pink for your grandma or another special person in your life, and for all the people across Australia who may get breast cancer (because let’s face it, men get it too!).

Pink is in stores now.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia

Pink Announces Aussie Tour

Pink’s currently soaking up the Australian sun on a promotional tour, but it won’t be too long until she returns. Today she announced dates for a 2013 tour to promote her latest number one album, The Truth About Love.

Pink’s announced 12 shows for starters, but as there are plenty of gaps in her schedule we can expect more shows to be added as these inevitably sell out. Pink will stay in Australia for at least five weeks, but considering how long her last tour went I don’t expect we’ll get rid of her that quickly.

It remains to be seen whether the latest tour can beat the 58 sold-out shows she played here in 2009, but with The Truth About Love debuting at number one it seems like Australia’s love affair with the American pop star is far from over.

Tickets for the following shows go on sale from Live Nation on October 17.

25 & 26 June 2013 – Perth Arena, Perth
1 & 2 July 2013 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
7, 8 & 10 July 2013 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
19 & 20 July 2013 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
30 & 31 July & 2 August 2013 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney

Image source: Flominator @ Wikimedia Commons

Australian Idol Does Pink

I’m a little late with my Australian Idol recap this week. Blame the heady excitement, then crushing defeat of the NRL grand final. When you’ve waited 23 years for your team to taste victory, it takes a few beverages to ease the pain of loss. But I digress.

Last night was Pink night on Idol, which may very well be the lamest excuse for a theme ever. That’s particularly true when the colourful one herself is nowhere to be seen. I think there should be a rule that there can’t be a performer-centric Idol theme until that person or band has notched up at least 15 years in the biz. But again, I digress.

Before we were saturated with Pinkness it was time to send one Idol packing. With all the girls safe, we were left with an all-male bottom three. Those unlucky lads in for a nervous wait were Scott Newnham, James Johnston, and Tim Johnson. I really didn’t mind who left us, although I felt James had definitely done enough to stay. As it turned out, we said goodbye to Mr Bland, Tim Johnson. I’ll probably miss his generically handsome face, but that’s about all.

Nathan Brake lived up to his early promise with an incredible performance of “Just Like a Pill.” I love Nathan more than any other Idol, so I may be a little biased, but I thought this was brilliant. He stripped back the layers and allowed himself to be raw, vulnerable and beautiful. He seemed on the verge of tears through most of it, and that was compelling. I haven’t been wowed by Nathan in recent weeks, and that was making me nervous. This was just what I needed to hear from him.

After tonight’s stint in the bottom three, Scott Newnham needed to pull out something special. “So What” may have been the worst possible song choice for him. This is where experience comes in. The song isn’t dynamic enough to really showcase what he can do. It’s a lot of fun to belt out in the car, but that’s about all. The result was something that felt incredibly karaoke. I also didn’t see him connecting with the lyric, which was the only thing that could have saved it. Far too much joy, not enough venom.

Stan Walker reminded me a little of my Parramatta Eels this week. It was clear that something was wrong in the first section of the song. He could have so easily have fallen in a heap. But he picked himself up and kept going to create something that, in the end, he could be proud of. His performance of “Dear Mr President” wasn’t the best of the night because of its early flaws. But it was wonderful and moving nonetheless.

Continue reading “Australian Idol Does Pink”

Evermore Score Pink European Support Slot

Evermore clearly impressed Pink during her recent Australian tour. The American popstar loved their support slot so much, she’s invited the lads to tour with her around Europe.

The New Zealand expats will head to Dublin on October 12 to start the tour, which will take in several European locations over 11 weeks.

“After a leisurely stroll around beautiful Australia, meeting 10,000 friendly locals every night on the Funhouse tour, P!nk has made us an offer we couldn’t refuse to join her on tour all across UK and Europe,” said Peter Hume. “We could not have had this chance without such a good response from everyone who came to the P!nk shows in Australia, so thank YOU for being crazy and loud.”

To coincide with the tour, Warner Brothers will release a greatest hits album in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions. The disc will feature singles from Evermore’s three previous albums. UK radio will also receive “Hey Boys and Girls” next week.

“After being in this band together for ten years this is the first opportunity we have had to tour and release an album in UK/Europe and we are incredibly excited about getting over there!” Peter added. “This will be our debut album for the rest of the world, we feel all nervy and young again.”

Of course, if Europe gets a greatest hits Australia deserves one too. That will be released in November, with three new singles and a bonus disc of unreleased material adding value for diehard fans.

The opportunity to play Europe means Evermore will reschedule some upcoming dates. However, Victorian shows will go ahead as planned. Aussies and Europeans: you can see Evermore at the following venues!

7 October 2009 – Hallam Hotel
8 October 2009 – Croxton Park Hotel, Melbourne
9 October 2009 – Sandbelt Hotel, Morrabbin
10 October 2009 – Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
14 & 15 October 2009 – O2, Dublin
17 & 18 October 2009 – Odyssey, Belfast
20 & 21 October 2009 – SECC, Glasgow
23-25 October 2009 – MEN, Manchester
27 October 2009 – Echo, Liverpool
28 October 2009 – Arena, Sheffield
30 & 31 October 2009 – NIA, Birmingham
2 November 2009 – Arena, Newcastle
3 November 2009 – Arena, Nottingham
5 November 2009 – Sport Paleis, Antwerp
7 November 2009 – Forum, Copenhagen
9 November 2009 – Spektrum, Oslo
10 November 2009 – Globe, Stockholm
12 November 2009 – Hartwell Arena, Helsinki
19 November 2009 – O2 Arena, Prague
20 November 2009 – Festhalle, Frankfurt
22 November 2009 – Olympiahalle, Munich
23 November 2009 – Messehalle, Freiburg
25 November 2009 – Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart
26 November 2009 – Messehalle, Erfurt
28 November 2009 – ISS Dome, Dusseldorf
30 November 2009 – Kopi Arena, Oberhausen
2 & 3 December 2009 – Hallenstadion, Zurich
5 December 2009 – Rockhal, Luxembourg
6 December 2009 – Ahoy, Rotterdam
8 & 10 December 2009 – O2, London
12 December 2009 – AWD Dome, Bremen
13 December 2009 – Westfallenhalle, Dortmund
15 December 2009 – Arena, Geneva
17 December 2009 – Stadthalle, Vienna
19 December 2009 – Schleyerhalle, Stuttgart
20 December 2009 – AWD Arena, Hanover

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Pink Bounces Back in Brisbane

Pink is back in action tonight following the postponement of Monday night’s show.

The pop star delayed the Brisbane show due to a nasty bout of laryngitis, but her touring agent Michael Coppel says tonight’s show will go ahead as planned.

Remarkably Monday’s show is the first she couldn’t perform in two years. If that’s not commitment, I don’t know what is. The show has been rescheduled, and will now take place next Monday, July 27.

Image source: INF

Pink Holidays in Queensland

After a massive 27 shows in Australia, and with plenty more still to come, Pink has definitely earned herself a holiday. With no concerts scheduled this week, the American pop-rock princess and her husband Carey Hart are taking a little R’n’R in Queensland.

But don’t think Pink’s the type of gal to spend a week lazing on a beach idly. Instead the pair will tour the state on two wheels.

“We’re going on a motorcycle trip,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

While exploring the great outdoors, she’s crossing fingers that her paths don’t cross any of the country’s creepy natives.

“How is anyone still living in this country?” she mused when discussing our native wildlife.

Come on Pink, we’ve only got the world’s deadliest spiders and snakes. You’re not chicken, are you?

Image source: Bauer-Griffin

Pink Announces Absolutely Final Melbourne Shows

I didn’t think Pink had any more Aussie concerts left in her. That shows what I know! The pop diva announced two “absolutely final” Melbourne gigs today.

That means she’s playing a whopping 17 nights at the 14, 500 capacity Rod Laver Arena. That’s enough tickets for around 5% of Melburnians to catch the American songstress.

If you’re living in Melbourne and you still haven’t got your Pink ticket, the new August 19 and 20 shows will go on sale on June 9.

Image source: INF

Pink Donates to Victorian Bushfire Appeal

Pink has donated $250, 000 to the Victorian bushfire appeal.

“I’ve been really affected by the media images of the tragic bushfires in Victoria,” she said in a statement. “My heart goes out to all those who have suffered so much in these circumstances. There is little anyone can do at such a long distance away but I wanted to make a tangible expression of support.

“I will be donating $250,000 to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal, and hope that this, amongst all the other outpouring of charitable support, will help the rebuilding of lives and communities in the areas affected.”

Pink will perform 46 shows in Australia starting May 22 at Burswood Dome in Perth.

Image source: Bauer-Griffin