By Luke Voogt
“Guinea pigs” will hear Victorian rock icon Deborah Conway play songs from her latest album at a one-off charity show at Barwon Heads this weekend.
Everybody’s Begging, out 2 September, is the ninth album for Conway, who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of platinum-selling debut solo album String of Pearls.
“I’m really excited about how audiences will respond,” she told the Indy this week.
“Barwon Heads are the guinea pigs.”
Conway had played tracks from the album to her close circle but the Barwon Heads show would be the first time she performed them to a live audience, she said.
Conway described the new album as “very toe tapping, compulsive and elemental”.
“Everybody who has heard it so far has responded very favourably.”
The concert is part of the Music To A Tee initiative, raising money to support people with an acquired brain injury (ABI).
A portion of the proceeds will go to Geelong community services agency Karingal for people with ABI, their families and carers.
“This is an organisation that can send money in a good and positive direction,” Conway said.
The concert is only the beginning for Conway’s 25th anniversary tour, beginning at Sydney Opera House Saturday.
Barwon Heads would be her only stop in regional Victoria, she said.
“It’s basically a practice run for the big concert hall shows.”
Conway will perform with partner Willy Zygier, who she met through a “happy accident” when she was searching for guitarist early in her solo career.
Their three daughters sing backup vocals on the album and their eldest daughter will join them at the Barwon Heads concert.
The concert also features veteran Australian sister duo Vika and Linda Bull.
Conway, who launched her solo career in the 1990s, is possibly best known for the Australian smash-hit It’s Only the Beginning.
But she still had “things to say” after three decades of performing, Conway said.
“And I find song-writing is the best way for me to say them.”
The show begins at 7.30pm Friday at 13th Beach Golf Links as the first in a series of concerts at the venue.
