the church return to Australia on Sunday April 10th 2011 to perform “A Psychedelic Symphony”, a very special concert presented by International Music Concepts and held at the iconic Sydney Opera House. The band will perform a selection of their greatest musical moments of the last 31 years alongside 67 young and vibrant players from the Sydney University Symphony Orchestra conducted by the irrepressible George Ellis. Featuring 3 talented soloists - Patti Hood on concert harp, from Joshua Tree, California, Sophie Collins on cello, based in deepest darkest Western Australia and local renowned musician Johnny Zwartz on double bass. Shelley Harland and Tiare Helberg feature on silvery backing vocals, established multi instrumentalist Craig Wilson completes the line up.
It has now been a year and a half of constant touring, celebrating and performing both their latest album Untitled #23 (featuring Patti, Sophie and Shelley) and the “An Intimate Space” tour where the band played a song from each of their albums in reverse chronological order, giving away a program and Free CD of even more new material. This led to the band’s induction into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 2010 and then the “Future Past Perfect” Tour in the USA playing Starfish, Priest=Aura and Untitled #23 in their entirety with another free program and a 3 and a half hour show of captivating music that mesmerized the sell out crowds.
With three EP’s: Pangaea, Operetta and Deadman’s Hand now released from Untitled #23 on their own Unorthodox label through MGM, the band have already begun work on a new album expected to be released in 2012.
To see the church - Steve Kilbey, Peter Koppes, Tim Powles and Marty Willson-Piper in this spectacular setting is an event not to be missed - a one off celebratory concert focusing on the most illustrious of careers and performing a wealth of material from their deep catalogue.
Recent concert reviews have been outstanding:
“The band thrilled ardent followers by weaving musical spells full of grand gestures, menacing atmosphere and stratospheric radiance.”
Jeff Elbel Chicago Sun Times February 2011
“Textures. Beyond the brilliant songwriting, it’s the sonic textures that make the church my favorite band on the planet. You can tell how much attention they pay to getting the right sound for every song. A dazzling blend of guitar tones from Peter Koppes and Marty Willson-Piper, astute drumming by Tim Powles and sharp bass playing from Steve Kilbey waxes and wanes from melodic to dissonant to ethereal and back again; it’s stunning ensemble work that frames Kilbey’s distinctive baritone voice as he intones a rush of imaginative lyrics that wander from wry to surreal: the church sound like no other band, and create a memorable flow of music that resonates deep in my brain.
Anton A, Tantalized (Review of Highline Ballroom and BB Kings Shows in NYC
Reviews of “Untitled #23” have also been exceptional around the world:
Rolling Stone Australia gave the album an unprecedented 5 star review.
“… a stunningly ambitious album of shimmering rock”
Rolling Stone USA in Fricke’s Picks,
“a genuine milestone in longevity and psychedelic invention.”
Classic Rock UK
“what is on offer – aside from a masterpiece of dynamics and craft – is the irresistible sound of integrity.”
The Age
“It's a haunting, dark, thrilling, ecstatic, melodic psychedelic journey in ten unforgettable pieces.
“Beat Magazine
"Untitled #23 is kaleidoscopic but accessible, tightly focused psych-pop brilliance
Sydney Morning Herald
"sparkling electric poetry from some guitar-shaped hole in the universe." ****
