Music lovers can relive the ‘soundtrack' of Vietnam and the turbulent 1960s and early 1970s in concert at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre on Saturday.
‘Good Morning Vietnam, Music from the Vietnam War Era – Live in Concert!’ vividly reimagines the treasured and symbolic songs of the time that spilled across our airwaves during the Vietnam War.
This all-new production brings together a group of outstanding Queensland musicians and vocalists to deliver superb interpretations of some of the most iconic pop, folk, soul, and rock songs of the Vietnam era in concert.
The show’s musical director Simon Gardner said these were songs that questioned, stirred, and reflected the political turmoil and massive cultural changes happening during one of the most far-reaching and divisive events of the 20th century.
“It's a celebration of beautiful rock music but there is also a sense of melancholy, sadness, and the tragedy that war inflicts on peoples’ lives,” Simon said.
“All great music not only transcends an era but also defines it, and the rock music created during the Vietnam War period was ground- breaking in that it reflected immense unrest as well as the greatest powers of all – peace and love.”
Gardner said he was, first and foremost, a guitarist who loved playing these songs, but added there was a deeper motivation to bring them to the stage.
“I also see this as an opportunity to pay tribute, in the best way I can, to those who fought and died for us,” he said.
“It is an honour to be able to do this.”
A projection design backdrop adds compelling storytelling and scenescape elements; depicting the groovy psychedelia of the flower power movement as well as images of the despair, protest and resistance that was flaring in the city streets of America and here in Australia.
‘Good Morning Vietnam, Music from the Vietnam War Era – Live in Concert!’ offers knockout renditions of songs by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Buffalo Springfield, Steppenwolf, The Beatles, Nancy Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, The Animals, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye and many more.
For every ticket sold to the Vietnam era inspired concert, $1 is donated to Guitars for Vets Australia, an organisation that knows only too well the healing power of music, providing Australian veterans with music lessons and guitars.
Guitars for Vets Australia welcomes all veterans and delivers a structured professional guitar-training program of 10 lessons, together with a free guitar.
‘Good Morning Vietnam, Music from the Vietnam War Era – Live in Concert!' is on at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre on Saturday, March 27 at 7.30pm.
Tickets are $64.95 for adults, $59.95 pensioners and government seniors, $49.95 students and under 18s, and $55 each for groups of six or more, and can be purchased via the What’s On Bundaberg website.
For more information phone the Moncrieff Box Office on 4130 4100.
For more information about Guitars for Vets Australia visit the G4VA website.
