Since kicking off its tour of major Queensland regional venues last year, Good Morning Vietnam, Music from the Vietnam War Era – Live in Concert! has been winning rave reviews from audiences for its energetic, heart-felt nostalgia and the standout performances of its cast of singers and musicians. Simon Gardner is the show’s Musical Director and Guitarist, and he can hardly wait to bring the show to The Laycock St Theatre. “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,” says Gardner. “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.
Good Morning Vietnam, Music from the Vietnam War Era – Live in Concert! reimagines thepsychedelic pop, soul, folk music and stirring rock anthems of the 1960s and 70s. There are fab renditions of songs by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jimi Hendrix, Buffalo Springfield, Steppenwolf, The Moody Blues, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, The Animals, The Doors, James Brown, The Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye, Three Dog Night and others. A projection design backdrop adds compelling storytelling and scenescape elements; depicting the mind-altering grooviness 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 during one of the most tumultuous events of the 20th century.
“I’m first and foremost a guitarist and I absolutely love playing these songs,” Gardner says. “But I also see this as an opportunity to pay tribute, in the best way I can, to those who fought and died for us. It is an honour to be able to do this.”
Good Morning Vietnam, Music from the Vietnam War Era – Live in Concert! pays tribute to music that shaped an era and defined a generation.
DATE: Sunday September 4th, 2022
TIME: 3pm
VENUE: Laycock St Theatre, 5 Laycock St, Wyoming
TICKETS: www.mellymelody.com.au l Ph: (02) 4323 3233
The show proudly supports Guitars for Vets Australia, with $1 from every ticket sold going to the Guitars for Vets program.