Past Tours:
The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra - Sydney
The Liberators, DJ Gian Arpino
September 2011
Oxford Arts Factory - Sydney
NICHE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
THE PUBLIC OPINION AFRO ORCHESTRA
"I love good afrobeat stuff. I love this" Richard Kingsmill, triple j
"Close your eyes and you'd be forgiven for thinking you were hearing and all-black group from Nigeria " - Lynden Barber, The Australian
One of Australia’s most exciting (and largest) bands, Melbourne’s Public Opinion Afro Orchestra are hitting the road to launch their new 7” single ‘Mr Clean (Pts 1 & 2),’ available in September on Hope Street Recordings through all good record stores.
2010 proved a watershed year for the seventeen strong ensemble, with breakthrough performances at WOMADelaide which resulted in worldwide support through Gilles Peterson’s BBC Radio 1 program. Their debut album “Do Anything, Go Anywhere’ was also nominated for an ARIA Award. The group returned to the studio before emerging triumphantly for a set at the 2011 Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival, which you can download at the groups website for nix http://www.thepublicopinion.net/2011/05/live-album-available-for-free-download/
With a unique understanding of Afrobeat, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra trace elements of the genre created by Fela Kuti and Tony Allen, an add modern elements like MCs and turntablism all with a definitive world perspective stemming from the lineage of the groups members, which comes from all corners of the globe.
Melbourne is in for a bit of a Hope Street Recordings family affair with labelmates The Bombay Royale also launching their new 7” and high school super band The Cactus Channel (recently featured on an EPK by Los Angeles tastemaker Jeremy Sole) plus radio personality and POAO member DJ Manchild in support.
Sydney and Katoomba stages will see The Liberators in equally funky and appropriate support. The group recently released their debut self titled album on Italian based label Record Kicks to worldwide acclaim, including a plug in Rolling Stone Magazine.
The spirit of Fela is alive and well and with Australia one of the most unexpected places to find it, you can expect to be blown away when these guys touch down in your town.
www.thepublicopinion.net
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
