27 Club features a gang of Australian rock legends turning out the hits of great artists who left us too soon. The show first took shape in 2015 at Adelaide Fringe Festival, and went through a reboot in 2020. Since then it has been performing to sell out audiences all over Australia, but this is the first time 27 Club is coming to Sydney. They’ll be taking up residence at Sydney Spiegeltent as part of Sydney Fringe Festival 30th August- 29th September, where they will interweave the life stories of the legends alongside their songs.
Club 27 was the Winner of Adelaide Fringe’s Best Music Award in 2021, and the show consistently gets rave reviews from press and public alike. A lot of recommendations are word of mouth, and it’s not unusual to find someone in the audience who is on their 3rd or 4th visit.
The hits of Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, and Jimi Hendrix are all smashed out to a crowd and a band who are ready to let their hair down. As they tend to have long runs at festivals due to popular demand, they sometimes move things around, but it has been basically the same line-up since the beginning, and the original crew will all be there in Sydney.
As Carla Lippis told Irresistible, “We all get on so well. There’s chemistry. There’s rock n’ roll. We’re having a great time on stage, so it’s like the best reunion. And everyone in the audience is having a party! It’s a lot of fun.”
Sydney audience can expect to see the following seven artists who make up 27 Club. All first rate musicians in their own right with enough heavyweight pedigree to hold up the classics.
SARAH MCLEOD
Sarah McLeod, the creative force behind ARIA Award-winning, platinum-selling rockers The Superjesus, has over 20 years in the industry. She has released three albums with The Superjesus (Sumo, Jet Age, Rock Music) and two solo albums (Beauty Was A Tiger, Rocky’s Diner). McLeod has also collaborated internationally on EDM tracks with DJs like Dzeko and Torres.
KEVIN MITCHELL
Kevin Mitchell, also known as Bob Evans, is a founding member of Jebediah, with five studio albums, three of which entered the ARIA top ten. As Bob Evans, he released six solo albums, with Goodnight, Bull Creek! Earning an ARIA nomination. Mitchell has collaborated with top artists, including the side project Basement Birds.
CARLA LIPPIS
Carla Lippis, dubbed ‘the Satanic Liza Minelli,’ is known for her powerful vocals. She has performed in London’s West End, toured Europe with the Italian post-folk group Sacri Cuori, and collaborated with artists like Calexico and Marc Ribot. Her music spans genres from alt-country ballads to minimalist punk riffs and 60s Italian pop.
JUSTIN BURFORD
Justin Burford began his musical career at 17, joining The Sleepy Jackson and later forming End of Fashion. He has won two ARIA Awards and starred in the lead role of the Australian production of Rock of Ages, earning a Helpmann Award nomination. Justin also wrote and starred in KURT, celebrating Kurt Cobain’s life and music, and has written and starred in several short films.
VIRGINIA LILLYE
Explosive and dynamic vocalist Virginia Lillye has wooed audiences across Australia and internationally and has shared many stages with rock royalty. Virginia’s original rock band, ‘Lillye’, signed with American record label, Eclipse Records and released their debut album worldwide in May 2018. The band have won several awards internationally and were nominated for ‘Best Rock Artist’ and ‘Best Hardcore/Metal Artist’ at the Australian Independent Music Awards.
BEK JENSEN
Sydney songwriter Bek Jensen, delivers her vocals in a way that is moving, heartfelt, identifiable, and filled with 100% soul. Already established as an in-demand backing vocalist from the age of 16, Bek has recorded and toured nationally with Australia’s iconic artists including Cold Chisel, Jimmy Barnes and Mahalia Barnes, Tina Harrod, The Sleepy Jackson, Jackie Orszaczky and Clayton Doley and Lachy Doley to name just a few and has released numerous original recordings, Bekimochi, Lucky, and Magic and Art
DUSTY LEE STEPHENSEN
Dusty Lee Stephensen is a staple of Adelaide’s live music scene and frontman of Wanderers. Known for their captivating live presence, Wanderers won SA’s Best Blues/Roots band in 2017. Their self-titled debut EP, released in January 2022, blends funky guitars, soul, and disco with catchy hooks and big choruses.
Sydney Fringe Festival
Sydney Spiegeltent
30th August- 29th September 2024
Adelaide Fringe Festival
21 February – 23 March 2025
