Few artists have woven themselves into the fabric of Australian music quite like Kate Ceberano. For close to five decades, she’s been a fearless creative spirit – part pop powerhouse, part jazz interpreter, part rock ‘n’ roll survivor – but always a voice that stops you in your tracks. From fronting I’m Talking in the mid-’80s to topping the charts as a solo artist, working alongside John Farnham in Jesus Christ Superstar, and later steering her catalogue through jazz, pop, gospel and symphonic collaborations, Ceberano has never been content to sit still. Along the way, she’s racked up 11 platinum and 8 gold albums, 10 Top 10 records, 15 Top 40 singles, five ARIA Awards, three Countdown gongs and over 6,000 live performances – achievements that only scratch the surface of her story.
Kate Ceberano is currently at the tail end of her extensive Australian Made tour, a project she’s been planning for over 15 years. The tour pays tribute to the legendary 1986-87 Australian Made concerts while also celebrating the Australian songs and artists that shaped her career. Unlike many artists today, Ceberano has taken the show to more than 30 regional towns, emphasising the importance of the RSLs, pubs, and clubs where much of Australia’s live music history was forged.
Reflecting on the original Australian Made lineup-featuring INXS, Jimmy Barnes, Divinyls, Models and others, Kate recalls being only 17 at the time, overwhelmed but determined to find her own place amongst icons like Chrissy Amphlett and also Renee Geyer, who while wasn’t on the Australian Made tour but was still a huge inspiration. Kate’s current shows honour those artists, many of whom are no longer with us, while also weaving in material from Silverchair, Wolfmother, Bernard Fanning, and contemporary women in music such as Sia.
Ceberano performs with the incredibly versatile guitarists Kathleen Halloran and Darren Hart (aka Harts), multi-instrumentalists who swap between guitar, bass, keys, and programming live on stage. Kate herself sings and plays electronic drums, a setup that delivers the full impact of the original songs while keeping the band compact and independent.
A highlight of the set is a section dedicated to her groundbreaking band I’m Talking, blended with Hunters & Collectors, Models, and other sounds of the era. She’s also released a new live album, recorded primarily in Frankston, chosen for its electric audience atmosphere.
In this interview with Australian Musician editor Greg Phillips, Kate Ceberano talks about the legendary Australian Made shows in the 80’s, the current tour and shares candidly about pre-show nerves, admitting even seasoned performers like Adalita struggle with the same tension. For Kate, the challenge is always about besting herself, striving for a personal best with each performance. Ultimately, Kate describes this ‘Australian Made’ tour as one of her greatest career highlights: efficient, punk, loving, loud, and deeply personal, a true celebration of Australian music’s past, present, and future.
Remaining Australian Made dates:
September
19 – Hamer Hall, Melbourne, VIC
20 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, QLD
October
11 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide, SA
Tickets are available at www.kateceberano.com