News

MISSY HIGGINS ANNOUNCES “THE SECOND ACT TOUR” CELEBRATING THE SOUND OF WHITE 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Missy Higgins is unveiling ‘an anniversary tour with a difference’ to celebrate 20 years since her trailblazing debut, The Sound Of White.

The Second Act Tour will see Missy touring theatres nationally next autumn in a special two act show (see dates, venues and ticketing info below). The first set each evening will include some brand-new songs, plus a few fan favourites from early in her career, all played in stripped back, acoustic mode. After an intermission Missy will then return with her full band to perform The Sound Of White in its entirety plus some of her other hits. This will be the first time that she has done a theatre tour since 2018, soon after playing stadiums across Australia as Ed Sheeran’s special guest. It will see Missy returning to many of the same venues she first played when The Sound Of White exploded back in 2004.

Missy Higgins fan presale commences Monday 11 December, staggered times before the general on sale Wednesday 13 December, staggered times, see below. Sign up for pre-sale tickets, HERE.

The Sound Of White is one of the biggest and most influential albums in Australian music history. The intensely introspective collection of yearning songs yielded bona fide classics like “Scar”, “Ten Days” and “The Special Two”. It has sold a million copies and received 6 ARIA Awards. Over the last 20 years The Sound Of White has also inspired dozens of young Australian women – including major artists like Amy Shark, Gretta Ray, Gordi and Angie McMahon – to follow in Missy’s footsteps and sing their own songs in their own ways. 

“I wrote all those songs in my late teens when I never thought anyone would hear them, so they were very personal, like I was writing my secrets in a diary”, says Missy. “I did less of that on later albums for lots of reasons but lately I realized I’d gone back to that confessional mode of songwriting. I guess it’s been my way of dealing with the end of my marriage. So I feel like I’ve come full circle … I was starting life from scratch at 20 and now, like lots of people, I’m figuring out how to start life all over again at 40.”

“In that respect this new album that I’m recording right now will be a kind of sequel to The Sound Of White. They’re both looking forward nervously and wondering what comes next. They’re both asking questions like “who am I?” and “who do I want to be?” so I liked the idea of previewing some of this new material in the first act of a live show, then going back to the start of the story in the second act. Plus it will just be fun to play all those old songs again for the first time in ages. At very least it will be something different and if I’ve learned anything over the last year or two it’s that you’ve got to keep embracing new challenges!”


Legendary Group Music Director of the triple j Networks, Richard Kingsmill, reflects “the incredible success of The Sound Of White was not just in its sales figures, as impressive as they were. Missy Higgins was something bigger. With her talent, honesty and unapologetic Australianness, she was a signpost for so many artists that followed. The number of local singers and songwriters I’ve interviewed over time who have told me that Missy, and especially that debut album, was the reason they picked up an instrument and started singing in the first place is mind-boggling. Her success crosses the gender divide too. We’ve had plenty of male rock groups in our Like A Version studio wanting to cover Missy songs. Dear Seattle’s cover of ‘The Special Two’ for instance made it into the Hottest 100 of Like A Version this year. So Missy inspired that next generation of artists in a way you don’t see very often. And she’s kept showing music fans that it wasn’t just a time-and-place success story either through the other releases that have come for her over the past 20 years.”

The anniversary of this landmark release will be celebrated with a deluxe edition on CD and LP containing bonus live recordings of every song on the album plus newly expanded artwork. It will land on April 5, 2024. Physical pre-orders commence today, pre-order here.

The Sound Of White 20Year Anniversary Edition will also feature a new track – “Cry Me A River” – which can be heard online now. The classic American torch song was written originally for Ella Fitzgerald and was a hit for Julie London in the 1950’s. Over half a century later Justin Timberlake ‘borrowed’ the title. The tune has a special place in Missy’s heart as it was the first song she ever performed live – sneaking into licensed venues as a 13-year-old to sing it with her older brother’s jazz combo. This stripped back version was recorded at a Sydney charity concert the night before she swept the 2005 ARIA Awards and features her brother, David, on piano. It has always been a fan favourite, but she has never released a recording of “Cry Me A River” … until now.

This smouldering love song kicks off a huge 12 months for Missy as she begins her “Second Act”.  The beloved singer/songwriter will start releasing some of her brand-new songs in the lead up to this special two act tour and follow it with her new album later in the year. 

“I’m very aware that female artists usually find it hard to get their songs heard in their 30’s or 40’s but I’m determined to try and shake that up a bit”, says Missy. “When I was writing The Sound Of White I was going through the same things as lots of other teenagers and I think that’s probably why those songs have struck such a chord with young people over the years. Life throws some curve balls at all of us as we get a bit older though so I’d like to think that people who grew up with The Sound Of White will find something they can relate to in the new songs as well – even if they probably won’t get to hear them on commercial radio or TikTok.”

Missy Higgins has been nominated for an extraordinary 26 ARIA Awards since being Unearthed by triple j way back in 2002. She remains one of Australia’s most popular live performers; playing to more than 200,000 Australians last summer across various outdoor events including dozens of huge gigs with Paul Kelly. 

CLICK HERE to pre-order ‘The Sound Of White’ Deluxe Edition

THE SECOND ACT TOUR

FAN PRE SALE: MON 11 DEC (times staggered)
(runs for 24 hours or until allocation exhausted)

PRE-SALE PASSWORD WILL BE SENT VIA FAN NEWSLETTER AT 10:00PM AEDT ON SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER

GP on-sale: Wednesday 13 December (times staggered, see below)

ALL SHOWS LIC. ALL AGES
 
Thursday 28 March
Frankston Arts Centre | Frankston, VIC
Lic. All Ages On sale: Wednesday 13 December (3pm local time)

Friday 29 March
Civic Hall | Ballarat, VIC
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (3pm local time)

Wednesday 10 April
Canberra Theatre | Canberra, ACT
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (12noon local time)

Friday 12 April
State Theatre | Sydney, NSW
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (11am local time)

Friday 19 April
Perth Concert Hall | Perth, WA
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (2pm local time)

Friday 26 April
Hobart City Hall | Hobart, TAS
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (4pm local time)

Saturday 27 April
Princess Theatre | Launceston, TAS
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (12noon local time)

Friday 3 May
Palais Theatre | Melbourne, VIC
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (10am local time)

Saturday 4 May
Palais Theatre | Melbourne, VIC
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (10am local time)

Thursday 9 May
Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre | Mackay, QLD
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (1pm local time)

Saturday 11 May
Munro Martin Parklands | Cairns, QLD
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (10am local time)

Sunday 12 May
Townsville Civic Centre | Townsville, QLD
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (10am local time)

Friday 17 May
Ulumbarra Theatre | Bendigo, VIC
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (11am local time)

Saturday 18 May
Gippsland Performing Arts Centre | Traralgon, VIC
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (2pm local time)

Friday 24 May
QPAC Concert Hall | Brisbane, QLD
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (12noon local time)

Saturday 25 May
HOTA Outdoor Stage | Gold Coast, QLD
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (9am local time)

Friday 31 May
Her Majesty’s Theatre | Adelaide, SA
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (11:30am local time)

Saturday 1 June
Barossa Arts Centre | Tanunda, SA
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (1:30pm local time)

Friday 7 June
Empire Theatre | Toowoomba, QLD
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (12noon local time)

Saturday 8 June
The Events Centre Caloundra | Caloundra, QLD
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (4pm local time)

Friday 14 June
Sydney Coliseum | West HQ, NSW
Lic. All Ages 
On sale: Wednesday 13 December (12noon local time)

Saturday 15 June
Newcastle Civic Theatre | Newcastle, NSW
Lic. All Ages On sale: Wednesday 13 December (10am local time)

Missy Higgins to play Mushroom 50th Anniversary Concert

Hey everyone. I’m excited to announce that I’m going to be a part of a pretty special show to commemorate Mushroom’s 50th anniversary. I’ll be sharing the stage with an incredible line-up of Aussie artists to perform 50 songs for 50 years, at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday November 26. Will be a rippa night!

Tickets go on sale, Wednesday October 18. www.mushroom50.com

Hope to see you there.

Missy x

 

Missy Higgins to perform at AFLW season opener

Nine-time ARIA Award winning artist Missy Higgins will perform at the pre-match entertainment for the opening game of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season.

The AFL is pleased to announce five-time chart topper and nine-time ARIA Award winning singer-songwriter Missy Higgins will perform in the pre-match entertainment at the opening game of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season on Friday September 1.

Elite women’s football will return to venues across the country this week, with reigning premiers, Melbourne facing Collingwood at IKON Park to kick off a new year of the competition. The action will continue across the weekend, with a further eight games played across six states, including three derby matches with the Showdown between the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide at Norwood Oval on Saturday September 2, Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS at North Sydney Oval and Fremantle and West Coast Eagles at Fremantle Oval on Sunday September 3.

Bursting onto the scene in 2004, Missy Higgins has become one of Australia’s most celebrated talents. Her remarkable career boasts multiple ARIA Awards, platinum-selling albums, and a dedicated fan base that spans generations. Higgins’ introspective lyrics and catchy melodies have earned her a special place in the hearts of music enthusiasts across the country.

No stranger to performing on the big stage, Higgins said she was thrilled to be part of the 2023 NAB AFLW season opener, where she will perform a medley of her well-known hits.

“A few years ago, I was really excited to have the opportunity to play at the 2018 AFLW Grand Final but the event was hit with bad weather so unfortunately the musical performances had to be cancelled. This time around, I’m really looking forward to finally getting out there and showing my support for all the AFLW athletes who are playing great footy,” Higgins said.

AFL Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial Kylie Rogers said the league was delighted to have Missy Higgins perform as part of its Round One festivities.

“The AFL is thrilled to have one of the country’s much-loved artists perform at the highly anticipated clash between Melbourne and Collingwood to celebrate the start of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season,” Rogers said.

“Fans can walk up to the gates and secure their tickets on the day, with $10 general admission tickets for adults and FREE entry for kids under 18.

“With great entertainment, affordable entry and a host of activities on offer, there’s no better time for fans of all ages to come along and experience the best of women’s football for Round One of the 2023 NAB AFLW Season.”

In addition to the pre-match performance, fans can enjoy a host of activities at IKON Park, including a meet and greets with club mascots, food trucks, giveaways and the unfurling of the 2022 NAB AFLW Premiership flag in a pre-match ceremony.

Fans who attend the game will also go into the draw to win two tickets to the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final on September 30 and two tickets to the 2023 NAB AFLW Grand Final held on December 3*.

FREE entry is available for fans under 18 at all AFLW matches throughout the season, while general admission tickets for adults are a budget-friendly $10, ensuring that everyone can join in the fun and soak up the electric atmosphere.

Missy Higgins to play Summersalt Festival in Torquay in December

Hi everyone, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be heading to Torquay for SummerSalt ☀️ festival on Sunday December 3, together with Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire, Jack River and more. This is gonna be so much fun!
 
Tickets go on sale 10am Thursday August 3. Sign up for pre-sale here: https://bit.ly/SSTQ-Signup

Missy Higgins to play Night At The Barracks

Hey everyone, I’m really excited to announce that I’m going to be playing at an awesome concert series called Night at the Barracks, on Saturday September 16. The Barracks is one of Sydney’s newest outdoor venues, set under the stars, and perched high above Sydney Harbour….so It’s gonna be pretty spesh!
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 9am Wednesday May 24: www.nightatthebarracks.com.au

Missy Higgins to play solo set with The Waifs at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne on Saturday June 3rd

Hi Friends

Hellooooo, guess what… I’m jumping on stage to do a solo set for my good friends The Waifs, as part of their special 20th anniversary tour, in Melbourne at The Palais Theatre on Saturday June 3rd! I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with these guys so many times over the years, in fact they were the first  ever band I opened for on a national tour wayyyyy back in the day. So very grateful for their support in those early days as I tried to convince all their fans to buy my first EP and sign up to my mailing list 😂 This will be very fun and a big throwback to when I opened for them at The Palais back in 2003.

Sign up to my newsletter for access to pre-sale tickets tomorrow morning: www.missyhiggins.com/mailing-list

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10am on Friday April 21.

Missy x

MISSY HIGGINS REIMAGINES ‘WIDE OPEN ROAD’ BY THE TRIFFIDS

To commemorate Mushroom Group’s 50 year milestone, I’ve recorded a reimagined version of one of my favourite songs by The Triffids – ‘Wide Open Road’, which is officially out now, head to the link to have a listen 🎶 👉https://mg50.lnk.to/missyhiggins
 
It’s one of the first things ever that my live band and I have recorded together. It’s hard being in different cities but we did it. And very happy with the result. I chose this song not only because it’s an old favourite of mine but because it really speaks to me now at this point in my life. After the heartache of the last year, I’m starting to get a glimpse of the wide open road ahead of me. Sometimes it feels daunting, sometimes it feels full of possibilities. Either way, the idea of ending a big relationship only to find yourself staring into the unknown… that feeling I can relate to, and sing with my whole heart. I hope you like it, I’m proud of what we did. Thank you once again to Brendon Love for your very clever producing skills.
 
Missy x
Watch the visualise for ‘Wide Open Road’ on Youtube

Missy Higgins to play Deni Ute Muster 2023

I’m excited to announce I’ll be playing at the Deni Ute Muster in September this year, and will be playing alongside so many of our great singer/songwriters, including Jessica Mauboy, Lee Kernaghan, John Williamson, Travis Collins, Casey Barnes, and more awesome people. Yeehaw!

🎟 Tickets are on sale now.

Hope to see you there 💃 X

 

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

‘EDGE OF SOMETHING’ NOMINATED FOR APRA/AMCOS SONG OF THE YEAR

Wow very honoured to be nominated for @apraamcos song of the year for Edge Of Something, a song I wrote with @antonypartos and @matteozingalesofficial for the @abctv drama Total Control. Writing songs for both seasons of this incredible show over the course of all the lockdowns was such a special experience and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. Especially thankful to Deborah Mailman, the lead actor, whose performances made it so easy to write to, I was constantly blown away by her portrayal of her character and could have written a hundred more songs just exploring her complexity and strength. I’m so proud of this song. Thank you to everyone who voted 🙏 🙏🙏🙏

 

Missy Higgins – Winner of Melbourne Prize for Music 2022

In my 20s I had a complete existential crisis moment where I lost sight of why i was still a songwriter. I’d forgotten what drove me to write in the first place when I was a teenager holed up for days on end excruciatingly pulling these reluctant creatures out of my soul. Surely it’s a selfish pursuit, a naval gazing indulgence that I’d tricked people into wanting from me? So I quit music. I went to uni. I filled my brain with spread sheets and foot notes and big words I thought would impress myself. But it didn’t work. Some child inside me wanted to dance, she just didn’t know how to allow herself to. Years went by without a song, then one day I found myself reluctantly playing a festival in America. And finally, it was there on that stage that I saw it for the first time. The difference I was making. The difference that music makes. There were people in that audience that had been following my entire career and were ecstatic that I was finally out of hiatus. They’d been playing my albums over again like a spirit guide easing them through the grinding sharp, confusing bits of life. They held on to those lyrics like it was one of the few things that understood them and articulated the things they couldn’t. I could hear it in the echo of my words coming back to me, a thousand strange souls carrying my burdens with me, and in doing so transforming them together into triumphs. It was union. It was communion. After that everything changed. The way I saw my “silly” pop music, changed. It was and is, along with every other genre of music, vital as a tool of human connection. The oldest one we’ve ever had, in fact.
I am incredibly honoured to receive this award, THANK YOU Simon Warrender, all the judges and everyone involved in the Melbourne Prize For Music. Thank you to my record label Eleven Music and John Watson Management who have been the most understanding and incredible partners an artist can have through their career. I just hope I can continue to write from a place of truth, joy, fragility and gratitude for the complications, interruptions and multitudes of every day life here in Melbourne. May music always be a friend to every one of you.
Thank you 🙏
 

New video: Missy Higgins – Big Kids (Live at Mundi Mundi Bash with the Wilcannia Central School Choir)

What a bloody pleasure and privilege to sing with the Wilcannia Central School kids choir, and their fabulous teacher Sarah. I couldn’t think of a better song to collaborate on than Big Kids, for so many reasons. It’s inspired by a kick-arse Indigenous woman (Deborah Mailman’s character in the ABC drama Total Control) who walks into Parliament and shows them who’s boss. And it’s about showing the rest of the world that they should never underestimate you and what you’re capable of. These girl’s did it proud! Loved collaborating with you all 🖤💛❤️

 

 

CLICK HERE to listen to Big Kids on Spotify

Missy Higgins sits down with Zan Rowe for Take 5 on ABC TV

Had the pleasure of sitting down with the legend Zan Rowe for a chat on her very cool new show (previously a podcast) Take 5. I had to choose 5 songs around the theme of identity and I’m not going to lie, I got emotional. Actually that’s an understatement-one of the songs unleashed a torrent of snotty tears 😭 I went deeper in this chat than I’ve gone in a long time, and Zan held me there beautifully. Thank you Zan.

It’s been a big year.

If you’d like to tune in, it airs Tuesday October 4th at 8pm, on ABC TV + iview.


5 New Shows Added To Red Hot Summer Tour 2023

I’m wrapped to announce that the Red Hot Summer Tour have added 5 NEW shows for next year’s run. 💫📍 Hunter Valley, Swan Valley, Cairns, Jacobs Well and Darwin we’re coming your way! ❤️ Grab your tickets early.. a few shows have already sold out.

🎟 Ticketmaster Pre-Sale 🌟 Tuesday 20th September @ 10am (local time)

🎫 General Public On-Sale 🌟 Thursday 22nd September @ 9am (local time)

Tickets available from HERE Can’t wait to see you all next year 💃

 

Missy Higgins To Headline Red Hot Summer Tour 2023

I’m very excited to announce that I’ll be heading around the country in 2023 for the Red Hot Summer Tour, with an amaaaazing bunch of artists 💃
 
I’ll be playing alongside Paul Kelly, Bernard Fanning, Mark Seymour, Vika & Linda, Ian Moss & Troy Cassar-Daley, for 18 shows… ! So bloody good to get out on the road playing again. Lots of time to make up for after the last few years of lockdowns!! 🎤  Feeling very grateful for these shows.
 
Ticketmaster pre-sale from Tues 30th Aug @ 10am (local time).
 
Tickets on-sale to the general public from Thurs 1st Sept @ 9am (local time).
 
Make sure to grab yours early so you don’t miss out 👉 bit.ly/RHST23
 
Can’t wait to see you all there 🎉 ❤️💛💚💙

Missy Higgins to play Sounds By The River in South Australia

Can’t wait to get back out to South Australia on January 21 for @Sounds By The River, which is taking place the bank of the beautiful Murray River, in Mannum.

I’m wrapped to be playing this one alongside my good friends Paul Kelly, Bernard Fanning, Mark Seymour, Via & Linda, Ian Moss & Troy Cassar-Daley.❤️

Tickets on sale Thursday @ 9am (local time) 👉 bit.ly/3QgKD3L

See you all there! ⚡️🌈

Missy Higgins Performs ‘Steer’ in Rungutjirpa (Simpson’s Gap), Mparntwe (Alice Springs) for ABC’s 90th Bday Celebration

Thanks to everyone who tuned in to my performance of Steer for ‘ABC 90 Celebrate’ the other week! Rungutjirpa (Simpson’s Gap) in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) would have to be the most epic, magical location I’ve ever performed in. Apologies to all the old tourists we had to keep nudging out if the way, haha. You can watch the full performance on YouTube, and you can still see the whole ABC 90 Celebrate on ABC TV + iview catch-up, with heaps of other incredible one-off performances all round Australia. ❤️


MISSY HIGGINS TAKES CONTROL ON NEW SINGLE “I TAKE IT BACK” FROM MINI-ALBUM ‘TOTAL CONTROL’

LISTEN TO NEW SINGLE “I TAKE IT BACK” HERE

WATCH THE LYRIC VIDEO HERE

LISTEN TO MINI-ALBUM HERE

MISSY TO FEATURE IN ABC’S 90TH BIRTHDAY TELECAST THIS THURSDAY

Missy Higgins will feature in the ABC’s 90th Birthday Telecast this Thursday evening at 8pm with a special performance from the breathtaking Rungutjirpa (Simpson’s Gap). Her appearance alongside an Australian Arts and Culture ‘who’s who’, extends a long association with the national public broadcaster, stretching back to winning Triple J Unearthed 20 years ago while she was still at high school.

More recently Missy composed and sang for both series of the ABC’s award winning political drama, “Total Control”.  The program has attracted worldwide acclaim with The Wall Street Journal applauding “…its biting vision of the prevailing codes, and what passes for right and wrong in political society.” Stuff NZ said: “Total Control offers a scathing examination of Australian politics [and] a clarion call for social justice” and said the music was “a magnificent showcase for the songwriting and singing skills of Missy Higgins”.

This week Missy will release the final track from that celebrated collaboration – a song of empowerment called “I Take It Back” drawn from her “Total Control” mini-album. That ARIA Top 3 hit was inspired by musical fragments Missy initially pieced together to fit certain scenes in the TV show. What started as brief instrumentals gradually grew lyrics and some expanded into full songs across 2020 and 2021 as the show’s themes reverberated publicly in the Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins cases. Missy’s unusually deep association with the show included her fierce lead single “Edge Of Something” which featured as the main promo for Season Two and was premiered live as part of the ABC’s 2022 New Year’s Eve telecast from the Sydney Opera House.

“This song is about reclaiming your story, identity and power as a woman. It draws on the history of women being forced into a cultural narrative that diminishes their power. It creates space for all that fury, resentment and uncomfortable emotion to finally rise to the surface. But it’s also a celebration of everything we have inside us and everything we can achieve once we’ve harnessed this power.” Says Missy of the track.

WATCH THE LYRIC VIDEO HERE

“This song is about reclaiming your story, identity and power as a woman. It draws on the history of women being forced into a cultural narrative that diminishes their power. It creates space for all that fury, resentment and uncomfortable emotion to finally rise to the surface. But it’s also a celebration of everything we have inside us and everything we can achieve once we’ve harnessed this power” – Missy Higgins

 

CLICK HERE FOR ALL MISSY HIGGINS TOUR DATES

 

 


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