Melanie Barnes
The Express caught up with renowned Australian singer-songwriter, musician and producer Ross Wilson early last week as he prepared to launch his latest tour of regional wineries.
Wilson of Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock fame launched his latest ‘Cool World Tour’ with a Grand Final Eve performance at Crown’s ‘The Palms’ and is set to appear locally at Heathcote’s Sanguine Estate on October 30.
Ross is a regular visitor to the region these days with his daughter now residing in Glenlyon.
Ross has continued to perform, record and write music since his earlier days from the 1970s to today. He enjoys performing his old songs and the new, saying he “wont sing anything he doesn’t like”.
Wilson told the Express he is taking a greener approach to his tours to encourage musicians to consider a more sustainable way to entertain.
“In the past, we, like all musicians, were oblivious to the large carbon footprint we would create when touring, including flying between cities, using large tour trucks, and at events, drawing on significant use of power for lighting and production,” he said.
“We, and the audience, were drinking from plastic water bottles, using plastic straws and food utensils, and leaving large rubbish piles of unconsumed waste.
“I don’t want to preach but want to raise consciousness for fans on how much we can reduce waste.
“It’s important to ensure the industry not only continues to strive post the pandemic, but for fans to continue to enjoy shows, knowing they too are a part of embracing a new sustainable way to hold events.”
During the lockdowns Ross said “It was a learning experience where I wrote songs and recorded in virtual collaborations”. He doesn’t slow down and touring is what he still loves.
The Ross Wilson ‘Cool World Tour’ is now taking all parts of their touring and shows into consideration and have partnered with Green Music Australia– implementing sections of their Green Artist Guide, Sound Country, for their upcoming shows. Green Music is a registered charity created to harness the power of the music scene to create a greener, safer future.
The ‘Cool World Tour’ consists of three popular Australian bands, The Badloves, King Canyon featuring Jimmy Cupples and is headlined by Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks. Their initial five shows will commence from October 30, 2022 through to the end of January 2023. The aligned ticket outlet Ticketebo are also an environmentally friendly, carbon neutral ticketing service.
The shows have a cap of only 500 people per event and will be held during the day to lessen the need for lighting and electricity demand.
Band members are travelling to and from the venues by electric cars, kindly donated (whenever possible) by The Good Car Company, an affordable electric car company.
Participating wineries are also enthusiastically embracing this cause and will provide water refill stations, therefore not selling plastic water bottles, and will be using local providers to supply food etc.
The Ross Wilson Cool World Tour will donate $2 from each ticket sale to Green Music, as well as $1 per ticket sale to Support Act. For tickets, visit: ticketebo.com.au
