the church

“A Psychedelic Symphony”

Celebrating their 30^th Anniversary At The Sydney Opera House Concert Hall

Ladies and gentleman - IMC in association with MAX are both excited and honoured to present this important and special news announcement, December 2010.

'Johnny Marr hounded me to be in The Smiths. One night soon after, we (Johnny Marr & Mike Joyce) went to watch The Church and I decided I would'.
Mike Joyce / Johnny Marr - The Smiths, Mojo Magazine

To celebrate the milestone of their 30^th Anniversary, the church, one of Australia’s and the world’s most prolific and creative bands will perform an exclusive concert with the magnificent George Ellis Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Sunday April 10^th 2011. This tantalizing prospect will see Steve Kilbey, Peter Koppes, Tim Powles and Marty Willson-Piper perform a selection of their greatest songs in a unique ‘best of’ event that simply cannot be missed. Rapturous arrangements, rich tapestries, raw power and sublime beauty revealed in the aesthetic surroundings of an iconic architectural masterpiece

The recent induction into the 2010 ARIA Hall Of Fame, has allowed the band to reflect on their huge body of work as they continue to pursue their artistic aspirations both live and in the studio. Their last album Untitled #23 on their own Unorthodox Records label was lauded by the press as the best of their career, attaining a 5 star review in Australian Rolling Stone. To mark the 30th Anniversary of the band, EMI have re released their first four albums, (with the next four to follow shortly) in luxury packaging with extra tracks, rare photos and detailed sleeve notes written by Marty Willson-Piper. A career spanning compilation is also available.

Alongside timeless classics such as ‘The Unguarded Moment’, ‘Under The Milky Way’, ‘Metropolis’ and ‘Almost With You’, the church continue to redefine what it is to be a band, evolving without compromise from hit makers into one of the world’s most acknowledged and inventive rock groups. With a combination of chemistry, talent and a desire for excellence, their unique and distinctive guitar sounds and thought-provoking lyrics have succeeded in inspiring both the audience and the critics’ imagination on a global level.

“A Psychedelic Symphony” will see George Ellis lead his orchestra into dynamic crescendos and sensuous odysseys. This ubiquitous conductor and musical director has worked a diverse range of projects highlights include the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games, the Athens Olympics, the Jakarta Arts Festival, and many concerts at the famous Spiegeltent. George has worked with a myriad of distinguished musicians including Lou Reed, Alex Lloyd and Augie March to name but a few. He has toured internationally to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and London. He has lectured at prestigious music institutions including the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Canberra School of Music and has presented workshops in Music Theatre and Conducting for NIDA and the Australian Society for Music Education. He is the Musical Director of the Sydney University Symphony Orchestra.

"A Psychedelic Symphony" is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the music of the church

as they celebrate their illustrious 30-year career at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, 

Sunday April 10^th 2011. Tickets on sale December 10^th 2010.