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One of the world's greatest living singer-songwriters and front man of legendary bands Crowded House and Split Enz Neil Finn will kick off the 2017 Adelaide Festival with a free opening weekend concert at the Adelaide Riverbank on Sunday, March 5.
The first concert of Finn's recently announced national tour, this will be the only chance for Adelaide audiences to see him on home soil, and for free.
Around 15,000 people are expected to attend the free concert, to be held in Parc Palais, the Adelaide Festival's dining and entertainment precinct surrounding the floating Riverbank Palais festival hub in Elder Park, on the Adelaide Riverbank.
Finn's concert will round out the opening weekend of the Festival, launching an outstanding debut program of world class theatre, music, dance and visual art from Artistic Directors Rachel Healy and Neil Armfield.
"We're thrilled that one of the world's great musicians and songwriters, Neil Finn, will lead this celebration of all that is joyous about Adelaide in March, and we invite the city to gather together by the river as we celebrate the opening of our first Festival," Ms Healy said.
Mr Armfield said: "As the sun sets and the stars come out over the beautiful Parc Palais, you'll be able to say 'I was there!' It will be unforgettable."
With a catalogue of hits spanning more than four decades, Neil Finn has written some of the world's favourite songs including Don't Dream it's Over, Better Be Home Soon, Weather With You, Four Seasons in One Day, It's Only Natural, She Will Have Her Way, and many more.
Beloved by fans, critics and musicians alike, he was famously namechecked by Paul McCartney who, when accepting an award for Greatest Living Songwriter, said: "I think you mean Neil Finn".
In his Adelaide Festival concert Finn will play songs from throughout his career, through Split Enz, Crowded House and his acclaimed solo albums, in a 90 minute set under the stars in the beautiful surrounds of Parc Palais.
Encircling the Festival's official hub, the two-storey floating Riverbank Palais on the River Torrens, Parc Palais will be the place to wine, dine or just hang out this festival season. Designed by acclaimed production designer Robert Cousins, the Parc will offer a wide range of local food vendors curated by creative genius Gill Minervini (Dark MOFO Winter Feast, City of Sydney Events) in conjunction with award-winning Adelaide chef Duncan Welgemoed (Africola, Lola's Pergola).
Gates to Parc Palais will open for the opening weekend concert at 1.00pm on Sunday March 5, ahead of Neil Finn's performance at 6.00pm. Capacity in Parc Palais will be limited to 15,000, so concert-goers are encouraged to arrive early to get a good spot and enjoy a taste of what the precinct will offer for the duration of the Festival.
With a diverse range of theatre, music, dance and visual art for every taste and interest running from March 3 to 19, tickets to all Adelaide Festival shows are available now through BASS on 131 246 or via www.adelaidefestival.com.au.
