The only thing that has changed over twenty visits to this country is that Steve Poltz‘s songs have become even finer, his jokes increasingly hysterical and his live performances have escalated to the level of grin inducing unpredictability that make each and every show a not-to-be repeated event. And the whirwind of energy’n’songs is returning for a run of Australian dates in March and April.
10 March | Ballarat, Regent Cinemas
11 and 12 March, Port Fairy, Port Fairy Folk Festival
15 March | Ararat, Ararat Town Hall
16 March | Melbourne, Brunswick Ballroom
17 March | Melbourne, Memo Music Hall St Kilda
18 and 19 March | Blue Mountains Folk Festival
22 March | Newcastle, Lizottes Lambton
23 and 24 March | Sydney, Camelot, Marrickville
31 March | Adelaide, Trinity Sessions
1 April | Swansea, Echo Fest
2 April | Longley, Longley Hotel
7 and 8 April | ACT, National Folk Festival
Since his first tour of Australia in the early 2000’s Steve Poltz has returned consistently to Australia, building up an increasingly loyal and fervent audience. Along the way his live show has evolved into something truly special. There really is nothing like a Steve Poltz concert. Seriously. Nothing. At all. If you’re already a card carrying member of Team Poltz you know that already, but if not these Australian dates are an opportunity to join the true believers And you will join. He’s that good.
Throughout over three decades in music, Steve Poltz has created an astonishing body of rockin’ countrified folk slices of sardonic Americana in song. Of course, he co-wrote Jewel’s multiplatinum Hot 100-topping megahit ‘You Were Meant For Me’, but he also went on a whale watch with her and a few federales that turned into a drug bust. The two still share the story at every festival they play together.
In the 20 years since his full-length solo debut, One Left Shoe, he has blessed the world’s ears with thirteen (or so!) solo records, spanning the acclaimed 2010 Dreamhouse and most recently Stardust And Satellites in 2022. NPR summed it up best, “Critics and fans alike now regard Poltz as a talented and prolific songwriter.” By 2016, he survived a stroke, endured anything the music industry could throw at him, and still performed like “280 days a year.”
In the end, for everything you can call him “searcher, smartass, movie freak, lover of technology, news junkie, baseball fan to nth degree, lapsed catholic who still believes in god even though all his friends are atheists and think he’s an idiot, and maker of fun,” you might just call Steve that little light in the dark we all need in this day and age.
To see Steve Poltz live is an emotional roller coaster of inspired songs and pure joyous energy. You may cry, you will be moved and you will most certainly laugh out loud – often. There is only one Steve Poltz. And he’s your Steve Poltz.