Swingin’ sounds to hit the town

AFTER nearly a decade showcasing the music of the 1960s and 1970s in Australia’s west, a thirteen-piece act is bringing their show to the eastern states later this year.

The 60 Four will make their debut on the other side of the continent, including Ballarat, in September.

Founding member and the band’s director Ben Francis said they’re excited to travel the region.

“I’ve heard amazing things about Ballarat, especially the arts and culture scene,” he said.

“Growing up in Adelaide initially as a music theatre performer, lots of my friends have gone on to there.

“It’s a town that gets around the arts and culture so I think it’ll be a great fit for us.”

Since the original band formed eight years at Adelaide’s Scotch College, The 60 Four cut their gigging teeth at the state’s Fringe Festival.

The setlist will include songs from iconic acts like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, The Bee Gees, Elvis Presley, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

With four vocalists and a nine-piece band including brass players, Francis said their aim is to contemporise the classic songs of decades past.

“We try to give as holistic a slice as possible of the 1960s into about the mid-1970s,” he said. “The music of that era was just timeless and that’s what we try to tribute as much as possible.

“What makes our show different is that we contemporise it. With a nine-piece band it’s that wall of sound.

“We’ve got keys, guitar, bass, drums, then two trumpets, a trombone, tuba, and saxophone. It’s a big set and contemporary sound.”

The 60 Four will perform at the Wendouree Centre for the Performing Arts from 7.30pm on Saturday 23 September. Tickets range from $69.99 to $74.99 and can be booked at bit.ly/3K5C6QL.