Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Australian Idol And X Factor Finalists To Play Airlie Beach Hotel

Two tantalisingly talented Aussie television darlings of the early and mid-2000s will make a combined eight appearances at The Airlie Beach Hotel across April and May, rolling back the years to when they captured the hearts of the nation as finalists in X-Factor and Australian Idol.

As part of The Pub’s patented Acoustic Sessions – which weekly feature Whitsunday musos – the smooth songs of Idol Top Four finisher Dan England and X-Factor runner-up Andrew Wishart will take to the Bar Top Stage.

England, who shot to stardom in 2005 as one of Australian Idol’s most popular finalists, will play on Friday, March 31 to April 3, in a solo-act showing, with Wishart – a storied career vocalist with X-Factor credentials – playing The Pub from May 4 to 7.

In the early oughts, England could be spotted for his trademark dreadlocks during his remarkable time on Australian Idol, where he was eliminated from the show by a mere 27 votes – the closest ever in Idol history, and not without its controversy.

After the highly successful run on air, England continued creating his remarkable story, honing his songs and playing to tens of thousands of people in towns and cities across Australia, and now he’ll be at The Airlie Beach Hotel for the first time.

England, a Queenslander through and through, said he’s excited to be heading up the coast to bring his smooth acoustic rock to the Whitsundays.

“What Idol gave me over the years was more than I could ever imagine,” Dan said.

"To be able to still perform after almost 20 years, putting smiles on people's faces with classics and current hits, there’s nothing like it. I can’t wait to bring that to Airlie Beach.

Then Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Andrew Wishart will arrive at The Airlie Beach Hotel to entertain the crowds as he has around Australia for more than 25 years.

With his mixture of classic songs from the ‘70s onwards, Wishart will remind audiences why he beat out more than 30,000 plus hopefuls to be Runner Up on the top-rating reality show, The X Factor.

He’ll smash out some of his tunes from ‘It’s Never Too Late’, which went top 15 in the Australian Aria charts, and all of the classics he’s mastered since the early days of his musical journey at the age of 14.

Wishart said he “lives and breathes music, playing the guitar, and wowing crowds” with his dynamic vocals, interpretations, stage wit, and engagement.

Don’t miss these superstars when they arrive at The Airlie Beach Hotel over the next two months.

What: Australian Idol top four finalist Dan England and X-Factor Australia finalist Andrew Wishart

Where: Airlie Beach Hotel

When:

Thurs Mar 30: Solo 6.30pm - 9.30pm – Dan England

Fri Mar 31: Solo  7-10pm Dan England

Sat Apr 1: Solo  7-10pm Dan England

Sun Apr 3: Solo  7-10pm Dan England

Thurs May 4: Solo  6.30pm - 9.30pm – Andrew Wishart

Fri May 5: Solo  7-10pm Andrew Wishart

Sat May 6: Solo  7-10pm Andrew Wishart

Sun May 7: Solo  7-10pm Andrew Wishart

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