Ben Harper Announces SummerSalt Sideshows

5 December 2022 | 9:12 am | Mary Varvaris

The American singer-songwriter will embark on three "one-night-only" shows across the East Coast of Australia.

(Pic by Michael Halsband)

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American singer-songwriter Ben Harper is already returning to Australia in 2023 for SummerSalt Festival alongside Angus & Julia Stone, City & Colour, and more. Now, he has announced a run of "one night only" solo headline shows in February 2023 in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. 

The multi-instrumentalist will perform songs from his devastating 17th album released earlier this year, Bloodline Maintenance, and draw from his profound and extensive catalogue. 

My Live Nation members can access pre-sale tickets from noon tomorrow, Tuesday, 6 December, until 11 am Wednesday. General sale tickets can be purchased from Wednesday, 7 December, at noon. Find more ticketing information here.

Ben Harper last performed in Australia in 2019 at the 30th anniversary of Byron Bay Bluesfest. Bloodline Maintenance, his fiercely personal latest record, is Grammy-nominated. 

"It was like I was moving forward and venturing into places I had never been before. Taking everything I've learned from every other record and kind of setting fire to it all and starting over," Harper said about the album. "And I knew the sounds I was hearing in my head were so unorthodox that I had to do most of it myself."

Harper produced the album alongside his longtime collaborator, Sheldon Gomberg. Bloodline Maintenance combines the inventiveness of hip-hop with longstanding traditions of soul, blues and jazz music, continuing his long history as one of this generation’s most prominent protest singers.   

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Angus & Julia Stone and Ben Harper will headline a stacked lineup for the 2023 edition of SummerSalt Festival.

Set against a backdrop of some of the most scenic locations Australia has to offer,  SummerSalt 2023 will see the pair of beloved acts joined by City & Colour, The Rubens, Middle Kids and Alex The Astronaut for what promises to be a highlight of the Aussie summer. 

SummerSalt 2023 marks the first time since the festival's inception that international artists will join the concert series, culminating in an unforgettable music experience. SummerSalt has become an enormous success, delivering feel-good music to unique and picturesque destinations with a family-friendly atmosphere perfect for making memories. The 2023 edition looks to continue that run, offering sun-drenched days and a sparkling haze of good times. 

BEN HARPER (SOLO)

TOUR DATES

TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY - PALAIS THEATRE, MELBOURNE

WEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY - STATE THEATRE, SYDNEY

FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY - QPAC CONCERT HALL, BRISBANE

SummerSalt 2023 Tour Dates

Friday, 27 January - Stage 88, Canberra ACT

Saturday, 28 January - Thomas Dalton Park, Wollongong NSW

Sunday, 29 January - Esplanade Park, Fremantle, WA

Friday, 3 February - Royal Botanical Gardens, Hobart TAS

Saturday, 4 February – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley VIC

Sunday, 5 February – Torquay Common, Torquay VIC

Saturday, 11 February – Park Beach Reserve, Coffs Harbour NSW

Sunday, 12 February – Broadwater Parklands, Southport QLD 

Tickets via Ticketmaster.