Colin Hay Brings FIERCE MERCY to SOPAC 10/19

Colin Hay, of the '80s hit band Men at Work, will make his way to the SOPAC stage Thursday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m. The '80s new wave icon has been kept himself busy since Men at Work split in the late '80s with various solo projects and tours. His newest solo release is Fierce Mercy, an epic cinematic album of songs meant to touch the deepest parts of the human soul.

Hay is most well-known for being the front man for Men at Work, the chart-topping '80s new wave phenomenon. They released breakout singles like "Land Down Under" and "Who Can It Be Now?" The Scotland-born musician moved to Australia as a teen and Men at Work formed in the early '80s. Men at Work enjoyed nearly half a decade of success before splitting up to as band members embarked on separate musical journeys. Colin Hay wasted no time, and in 1987 released Looking for Jack-his first solo album. He continued to release solo material regularly throughout the '90s in addition to starting his own record label, Lazy Eye Records. His solo work has continued into the 21st century, including a re-recorded collection of Men at Work songs and solo tracks on Man at Work (2003).

His most recent album is 2017's Fierce Mercy, an epic collection of songs that chase the themes of forgiveness, mercy, and fierce emotion. AXS says of the album "Fierce Mercy is not only Colin Hay's best solo album to date, it's a rally call to kindness that is much needed in these trying times." The singer-songwriter uses a palette of pop song craft, Americana flourishes, and soundtrack-ready strings, making it one of his most expressive releases to date. When asked about what inspired his passionate messages behind the songs, Hay commented "With the changing weather patterns, or the polar ice caps melting, we're getting all of these warnings, and a lot of them are incredibly fierce. But they still feel somewhat merciful - they're not destroying us totally. We're all being told, 'Listen, you can still maybe address this, and it won't get to the point where I have to take you all out. You've still got a shot.'" With song titles like "A Thousand Million Reasons", "Come Tumblin' Down", "She was the Love of Mine" and "Frozen Fields of Snow" this album is sure to awaken the deepest parts of the human soul and inspire a fierce mercy for the world in which we live.

Colin Hay will bring Fierce Mercy to the South Orange Performing Arts Center on Thursday, October 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $43-$53 and go on sale to the public May 12 at noon . They can be purchased online at http://www.sopacnow.org/colin-hay/ or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787.