MELANIE - THE PEOPLE IN THE FRONT ROW

Legendary singer-songwriter Melanie will kick off her National Tour at the 2014 Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Lesley Reed reports.

Children of the Flower Power generation are sure to be out in force when iconic singer- songwriter Melanie Safka’s new show, The People in the Front Row, has its World Premiere at this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival, from 7-9 June, at the start of an Australia-wide tour.

Melanie Safka first shot to stardom with her history-making appearance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. The performance prompted the now common phenomenon of signaling an artist for an encore by holding up a light (first it was a candle, later lighters, then flashlights and now mobile phones). In her hit song, 'Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)', Melanie was able to share her experience of this spontaneous audience phenomenon.

Adelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director, Kate Ceberano is thrilled to secure Melanie for her final Festival, saying, "What a joy to have Melanie on board for the 2014 Festival - she's the female equivalent of Bob Dylan and will have the Playhouse audiences eating out the palm of her hand."

A true pioneer among female musicians, Melanie was the first female performer to have three Top 40 hits concurrently: 'Brand New Key', 'The Nickel Song' and 'Ring the Living Bell'. She was also the first Solo/Pop/Rock artist ever to appear before the General Assembly of the United Nations, as well as being the first such artist at both Carnegie Hall and The Metropolitan Opera House.

Melanie's singles, 'Brand New Key (Roller Skate Song)', 'Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)', 'Peace Will Come', 'Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma' and 'Ruby Tuesday' have all achieved Australian chart success with 'Brand New Key' reaching #1 and remaining in the charts for 18 weeks in 1971. In the USA, Melanie has had 13 Top 40 hits, including three number one hits.

Another generation was exposed to Melanie with the release of the Hilltop Hoods' hit song, 'The Nosebleed Section' that included a sample of Melanie's 'People in the Front Row'. 'The Nosebleed Section' was a huge hit for the "Hoods", coming in at No. 9 on triple j's Hottest 100 in 2003 and No. 17 on the station's Hottest 100 of All Time released in 2009.

Australia has always held a special place in Melanie's heart, after her numerous visits throughout the seventies. One of these included another first-Melanie was the first commercial artist to perform on the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall stage. Melanie's last Melbourne appearance resulted in two shows being extended into twelve sold out concerts at the Dallas Brooks Hall in 1977.

Melanie says, "Since we started talking about coming back ‘down under’ I've been looking at a photo of my two daughters and me with a koala that was taken last time we were there. I remember clearly how beautiful the country was and how warm and welcoming you Aussies are. My son, and guitarist, Beau Jarred, was not born yet but he'll be with me this time and, hopefully, we'll get the opportunity of meeting another koala. I did always mean to come back sooner but life often doesn't quite follow our plans ... I'm sure you know how that goes!"

In the intimate evening of song that is The People In The Front Row, Melanie will be accompanied by her son Beau Jarred Schekeryk on Guitar, Andrew Worboys on Piano, Dave Hatch on Drums and Tina Harris on Bass. Melanie will present all her hits and some new compositions all woven together with her witty stories of a career that is nothing short of extraordinary.
The New York Times suggests, "Melanie is an artist who has no need to 'lay down' everything she has done to take her place in music history."

Melanie’s amazingly successful life of song has spoken to generations and continues to do so today. It speaks for itself too, promising Melanie-The People In The Front Row will be an experience not to be missed.

Tour Details

Adelaide Cabaret Festival, SA
 - Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide

Saturday, 7 June 2014, Sunday, 8 June 2014 and Monday, 9 June 2014.

Tickets available from www.bass.net.au and 131 246

Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane, Qld


Thursday, 12 June 2014


Tickets available from www.brisbanepowerhouse.org and 07 3358 8600

Star Court Theatre, Lismore, NSW


Saturday, 14 June 2014


Tickets available from www.starcourttheatre.com.au and 02 6622 5005

The Clarendon, Katoomba, NSW

Tuesday, 17 June and  Wednesday, 18 June, 2014


Tickets available from www.clarendonguesthouse.com.au/whats_on.html and 02 4782 1322

Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW


Friday, 20 June, 2014


Tickets available from www.ticketek.com.au and 13 2849

Lizotte’s, Newcastle, NSW


Sunday, 22 June 2014


Tickets available from www.lizottes.com.au and 02 4956 2066

Lizotte’s, Kincumber, NSW


Monday, 23 June, 2014


Tickets available from www.lizottes.com.au and 02 4368 2017

Lizotte’s, Kincumber, NSW

Tuesday, 24 June, 2014


Tickets available from www.lizottes.com.au and 02 4368 2017

Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne, Vic


Thursday, 26 June, 2014


Tickets available from www.melbournerecital.com.au and 03 9699 3333

www.melaniesafka.com