Matt Hewson
For Erik Weideman, lead singer of iconic Aussie band 1927, the experience of performing live never gets old.
The band, who took Australia by storm in the late 80s with their debut, multi-platinum album …Ish, are preparing to start a national tour this week in Geelong, co-headlined by fellow Australian rockers Boom Crash Opera.
But despite still playing over 50 shows a year, Weideman said he had never lost the thrill of performing in front of crowds.
“I mean, I’ve been doing it for close to 35 years now and I still get the jitters before going on stage,” he said.
“After two or three songs it goes away and I’m able to enjoy the actual show and the interaction between the band and the audience. But I mean, it’s the best thing about playing music.
“Making records is one thing, but it’s kind of boring making records to be honest with you. But the live performance… it’s that spontaneous moment in music that I just find really, really magical.”
1927 have a songbook full of hits from their early years, such as That’s When I Think Of You, If I Could, Compulsory Hero, You’ll Never Know and Tell Me a Story, but Weideman said their sets always included a few surprises.
“We’ve got a bunch of hits that we’ve got to cram in there and some of the songs that I like to play a lot as well,” he said.
“I imagine that Boom Crash will be doing the same thing. It’s going to be almost like a karaoke night I reckon. People will be singing along and going off their nuts, so it should be fun.”
1927 and Boom Crash Opera begin their tour at the Wool Exchange on Friday, March 1.
