Guy’s back in top gear
MUSIC
IT’S been 15 years since a fresh-faced singer with a signature afro first graced our screens on
While the hair might be gone, the man behind the voice has proven to have staying power that others with similar reality show success have not.
Guy Sebastian is a singer who is known for a powerhouse vocal range and it’s something that he takes a lot of pride in.
“Everyone in Australia knows me for my voice,” he said.
“I don’t talk myself up very often, but it’s something I’m very proud of.
“If I hit a bung note, I’m devastated for a week.”
The voice and commitment to quality performances is one of the reasons Sebastian has become one of the nation’s most successful artists.
He has spent the first part of 2018 hard at work on new material — and he’s incredibly excited with what’s being produced.
“I feel like I’m at my strongest point writing-wise,” he tells from a studio in Los Angeles.
“I look at some of the stuff that I’ve written in the past and I’m not ashamed of it, but it’s so exciting to see myself grow.”
The new material to be released by “the end of the year” follows Sebastian’s 2017 album which was a bit of a switch-up to the singer’s usual sound.
Even after so many projects, Sebastian is not immune to the pressure every artist feels to deliver.
“My last project I really enjoyed, but I feel it was way too production-focused,” he said.
“I think we get a little caught up in what people want us to do.
“I think I got a little lost (working on but I’m back now.”
Sebastian is once again hitting the road, performing in regional cities across the nation, including Geelong, in June and July.
The Then and Now regional tour will showcase a whole career of hits rather than focusing on any one album — and with over 40 platinum-certified releases he’ll have a massive catalogue to choose from.
Putting on a show that is particularly catered for new fans and those who have been around since Idol days is something the singer is excited about.
“The feedback I receive from people who respond to my music is so humbling,” he said
“The power of music is my driving force and being able to affect people in that way is so liberating and something that I really treasure.”
Sebastian is looking forward to using the smaller regional venues to connect more with his audience.
“I love playing the regional arenas, it just feels like playing to family,” he said.
“There’s not as much pressure, I feel like I can improvise or go off the cuff.”
Joining Sebastian on his tour is fellow Aussie singer Fatai, who rose to fame after a stint on the singing reality show
The Then and Now regional tour will hit GPAC on Saturday, June 16. Tickets are on sale now from, guysebastian.com