Macy Gray Announces Aus Tour To Celebrate 25 Years Of 'On How Life Is'

Macy Gray has announced a nine-date Australian tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her seminal debut album, 1999’s On How Life Is.

The Ohio-native R&B staple will begin her trek in Hobart, performing at the Odeon Theatre on Wednesday July 3 as part of this year’s Festival Of Voices. The next day (July 4), she’ll head to Adelaide for a gig at the Hindley Street Music Hall, then round the weekend out with shows in Brisbane (Saturday July 6 at the Fortitude Music Hall) and Melbourne (Sunday July 7 at Hamer Hall).

The following week’s itinerary will bring Gray back to Queensland for a show at the Star Theatre on the Gold Coast, which she’ll play on Tuesday July 9 before heading on down to Wyong, where she’ll hit the stage at The Arthouse the next evening (July 10). From there, she’ll round the week out with performances in Canberra (Thursday July 11 at The Playhouse), Thirroul (Friday July 12 at Anita’s Theatre) and finally Sydney (Saturday July 13 at the Enmore Theatre).

Gray’s Brisbane show is poised to be especially memorable. It’ll mark her fifth time performing in the city, following previous stints in 2000, 2012, 2015 and 2023 – and with the Fortitude Music Hall being one of the Queensland capital’s most beautiful music venues, it’s perfectly primed be a truly exceptional night.

Tickets for all shows on the tour (aside from the Festival Of Voices gig, which is on sale now from here) go on sale at 9am local time this Friday (April 19) – head here for all the info.

All shows will see Gray and her band perform On How Life Is in its entirety, followed by a set of hits from the rest of her stellar 12-album catalogue. The most recent instalment in it is The Reset, her second album with The California Jet Club (following 2022’s Christmas With You), which arrived in last February.

In a press release, Gray said of her impending trip to Australia: “I’m over the moon to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of my debut album On How Life Is. First stop: Down Under! Me and the band will be live in Hobart, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Wyong, Canberra and Thirroul in July. Please join me for a big nite to remember!”

Equally hyped is the tour’s promotor, David M. Hawkins, who said in a statement of his own: “Last July I was in Los Angeles and dropped into see Macy while she was rehearsing for her European tour. I couldn’t wait to put an idea to her and see if she was into it. I suggested we make our third Australian tour together a celebration of her multi-platinum album On How Life Is for its upcoming 25th anniversary, and do the entire album, live in a new show. She immediately jumped at the idea and our creative jam started.

“That album is now a classic and held many hit singles for a generation, including the massive worldwide number one I Try. We will celebrate her incredible breakthrough album whilst also featuring hits from the many follow-up albums. I believe Macy is one of the greatest artists of our generation, she is so prolific with her writing and recording. This show is not to be missed, by anyone who knows the album and its star.”

MACY GRAY

‘ON HOW LIFE IS’ 25TH ANNIVERSARY

2024 AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Wednesday July 3 – Hobart, Odeon Theatre (Festival Of Voices)
Thursday July 4 – Adelaide, Hindley Street Music Hall
Saturday July 6 – Brisbane, Fortitude Music Hall
Sunday July 7 – Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Tuesday July 9 – Gold Coast, Star Theatre
Wednesday July 10 – Wyong, The Arthouse
Thursday July 11 – Canberra, The Playhouse
Friday July 12 – Thirroul, Anita’s Theatre
Saturday July 13 – Sydney, Enmore Theatre

Tickets: macygraytour.com