Legends of Australian rock ’n’ roll are set to get some well-earned recognition as singer-songwriter Nathan Foley takes to the Panthers’ stage this weekend to do them justice.
The former children’s entertainer and his six-piece band are ready to get the audience moving with tunes that will take them back in time.
“‘Aussie to the Bone’ is a two-hour power-packed, energetic show celebrating the legends of Australian pop and rock, including John Farnham, INXS, Little River Band, Noiseworks, Midnight Oil, Daddy Cool, Olivia Newton-John, and many more,” Foley described.
“This is the first time we bring this show to the west and I’m looking forward to it!”
The Hi-5 alumnus said there’s nothing like being a proud Australian.
“We’re consistently promoting overseas artists when we’ve got so much talent on Australian soil, we really do,” Foley began.
“I think there’s a lot of tribute shows out there that cover the overseas artists, but we’ve got some amazing artists right here and ‘Aussie to the Bone’ was something that stuck in my head from years ago.”
Foley himself is one such artist, winning three Logies, five ARIA awards, and a Helpmann Award throughout his time with Hi-5, and boasting an MO Award, an ACE Award and a Variety Humanitarian Award during his time as a soloist.
“Accolades are fantastic to achieve and they’re great to have, but I’ve been in this industry for 35 years this year, and the biggest achievement for me is being out there and seeing an audience member enjoying themselves and being moved by a ballad and being able to touch these people through music,” Foley said.
Since he was a five-year-old boy with the voice of a young Michael Jackson, Foley knew he was born to entertain, and at 10-years-old, he began singing with bands and orchestras.
It was at 19-years-old, when Foley became a founding member of Nine Network’s Hi-5, that it became about more than the music.
“We went to visit a lot of children’s hospitals and a lot of sick kids who unfortunately lost their lives, but we gave a lot of love and hope to families out there and that was one of the most amazing things,” Foley explained.
“Even today, kids are in their 20s and 30s and they’re having their own kids and they’re bringing their kids up on Hi-5 as well.
“It’s an amazing legacy to be a part of and to continue to be a part of.”
This is the energy and passion Foley is bringing to the west after trialling the new show at Avoca Beach Theatre and Flamingos Live.
“It was kind of a tester to see how it would go last year, and it had a fantastic reaction,” Foley said.
“It’s been really well received, and I can’t wait to bring it to Penrith Panthers!”
Celebrate iconic Australian music on Saturday, January 25, at EVAN Theatre at 8pm. Tickets cost $63.30, and you can book online at https://penrith.panthers.com.au.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.