Prog rock album to be played in full

IF progressive rock is your thing, you’ll be pleased to know that a live performance of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells is coming to town.

Released in 1973, the groundbreaking highest-selling prog-instrumental album of all time has sold over 17 million copies across the globe.

The Bendigo concert is set to feature a sprawling band led by Oldfield’s long-term collaborator, Robin A Smith.

The 49-minute album will be played in full, along with some of the musician’s other compositions, including Family Man (1982), Moonlight Shadow (1983), To France (1984), and excerpts from 1975’s Ommadawn.

Smith, who’s worked with Oldfield for over 25 years, including performing with him at the 2012 London Olympics, said it’s a privilege to be showcasing “this extraordinary work.”

“It’s as fresh today as it was when Mike created it in 1971, and I love having the chance to bring it to new audiences as well as those who, like me, are still captivated by it whenever they hear it,” he said.

“The wonderful thing about the album is that it never seems to age. It takes you on a journey through progressive rock and electronica, blues, folk, jazz and classical and along the way evokes such melodic beauty and drama.

“We’ve had plenty of tears from the audience and so many wonderful stories of their first experience with Tubular Bells.”

Tubular Bells Live in Concert is set for Wednesday 21 August at Ulumbarra Theatre.

Tickets can be purchased via Gotix.