Let It Be Live
Imagine this. We take one band member from four of the greatest Aussie bands, and throw them together to play The Beatles’ 1970 album Let It Be in full. Sounds pretty great, right?
By Tierney White
Well, friends, imagine no longer.
Australian Rock Collective – better known as ARC – is Australia’s rock supergroup, featuring Kram (Spiderbait), Darren Middleton (Powderfinger), Davey Lane (You Am I) and Mark Wilson (Jet). All self-confessed Beatles tragics, they’re hitting the Top End to kick off their national Let It Be Live tour, playing The Beatles’ final album in full, from start to finish.
Despite recent Victorian lockdowns, the pandemic throwing a spanner in the works for photo shoots and band rehearsals, Kram says he’s enjoyed the process.
“I spend a lot of time practising on the beach. I walk up to a remote spot with my dog and sing Beatles songs. It’s a beautiful way to rehearse and no one’s around who might think me nuts. I live near Byron so do this every day. I used to live in Melbourne for years so feel for everyone [that has been] in lockdown down there.”
Let It Be Live follows the same format of the sell-out Abbey Road tour, The Beatles’ penultimate album played live and in full. If you’ve seen the film Yesterday, you could imagine the weight on one’s shoulders to do these classic tracks justice, but Kram says he and the band are unphased.
“I find I’m most comfortable when I’m on stage performing. I really don’t feel any pressure – it’s almost like it has the opposite effect, I just enjoy it.”
When asked what his pick of the Let It Be bunch is, Kram doesn’t hesitate in his response. Originally pegged to sing ‘Dig A Pony’, he opted to play the drums.
“I don’t think Ringo Starr realised at the time how masterful the drums [on this track] are. It’s got some of my favourite Ringo drumming of all time, I love playing it. Ringo has really inspired me, and it’s of course great to play their music, but it’s been really interesting to dive into the band members and learn about their personalities.”
ARC formed when Darren Middleton was asked by a friend to put something together for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, his cohort not needing too much convincing to make the trip to South America. After playing the gig, they realised they had created a great band, and it would appear the rest of the country concurs, with tickets to the 2019/2020 tour of Abbey Road selling out.
Now, it’s the Top End’s turn to sit back and enjoy the show. If you’re in the mood for some classic Beatles’ tunes played live by some of the most incredible musicians this country has ever produced, ‘Get Back’ to Darwin Entertainment Centre and just ‘Let It Be’.
We ‘Dig It’.
Let It Be Live // CANCELLED //
WHEN TUE 20 JUL | 7.30PM
AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
COST $75 | $83 AISLE
INFO yourcentre.com.au
Statement on Darwin Cancellation
Due to ongoing government restrictions, the Let It Be Live - 50th Anniversary event scheduled to take place at Darwin Entertainment Centre Playhouse on Tue 20 Jul 2021 will no longer be proceeding. All ticket holders will receive an automatic refund. If your details have changed, or you have any refund enquiries please contact your point of purchase. Live Nation apologise for any inconvenience resulting from this change of arrangements and thank you for your understanding and continued support of live entertainment in these unprecedented times. For any further ticket enquiries, please contact your point of purchase.
