Springsteen To Return To Australia

Rumblings of a visit began yesterday (Aug. 14) when Australian radio station Triple M reportedly posted the dates, according to Perth Now which sez the listing was soon deleted.

But now it’s official with the announcement of a Downunder tour presented by Frontier Touring that also includes a stop in New Zealand that will mark Springsteen’s first performance in that country in more than a decade.

The journey also includes Springsteen’s first ever visit to Perth and Adelaide. Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball” tour played Australia in March of this year.

The rumors followed by an announcement confirming the tour came as something of a surprise to Springsteen fans, not only in Australia, but worldwide as any talk of new dates often sparks rumors of yet another tour.  Earlier this month, Springsteen’s press reps announced the “final Wrecking Ball dates” as taking place in South America in September.  But that announcement specified that the shows in Chile, Argentina and Brazil leading up to the previously announced gig at Rock In Rio would be the last shows to be added to Springsteen’s “2012-2013” tour.  So there’s hope the just announced Australia shows won’t be his only concerts in 2014.

What’s more, Springsteen & Co. will not be the only act on the bill but will be joined by special guests, including a reformed Hunters & Collectors on one date.  Also appearing on select shows will be Dan Sultan and Jimmy Barnes.

Here’s the plan:

Feb. 7 – Perth, Australia, Perth Arena
Feb. 11 – Hindmarsh, Australia, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Feb. 15 – Melbourne, Australia, AAMI Park
Feb. 19 – Sydney, Australia, Allphones Arena
Feb. 22 – Pokolbin, Australia, Hope Estate Winery
Feb. 26 – Boondall, Australia, Brisbane Entertainment Centre
March 1 – Auckland, New Zealand,  Mt Smart Stadium 

Hunters & Collectors appear Feb. 15; Dan Sultan Feb. 15 & Feb. 22; and Jimmy Barnes March 1.

Evidently a return visit to Australia has been in the works for quite some time.

“Our shows in Australia earlier this year were among the very best and most satisfying of our whole 128 show tour,” Springsteen manager Jon Landau said. “The crowds were tremendous, the fans as warm, friendly and welcoming as we could ever hope for, and the quality of the performances, as virtually every reviewer commented, were spectacularly high.

 “From the moment we finished the second show at Hanging Rock on March 31, we have been working on a plan to return next year.  Among other things, we wanted to expand the number of places we play to include the Hunter Valley, Perth and Adelaide, with a trip to Auckland as well.  Those venues are in addition to the new dates in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.  In other words, this will be our most far reaching tour of Australasia ever – and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band are planning to make it their finest.”

Tickets go on sale Aug. 26.  Visit BruceSpringsteen.net for more information.