Andy Warhol photographed her, Keith Haring painted her, Bowie and Iggy Pop lined up to write songs for her – model, actress, performer, entertainer, singer, producer, writer, the enigma that is Ms Grace Jones has, of late, been reaffirming herself as the superstar she has always been.

Sydney Festival continues its investigation into artists who changed the face of popular music with the first public performances in Australia in 20 years of Grace Jones, the woman who prophetically blurred the lines between music, art and fashion.

In a career that transformed dance music, she has brought us genre bending tracks such as ‘Love is the Drug’, ‘Pull up to the Bumper’, ‘My Jamaican Guy’, ‘Nipple to the Bottle’, ‘Slave to the Rhythm’, ‘Warm Leatherette’ and ‘Nightclubbing’, to name but a few.

Her one-off London show at the Royal Festival Hall on June 19 for Massive Attack’s Meltdown concerts tantalisingly fuelled excitement for her forthcoming album, Hurricane, featuring collaborations with Tricky, Brian Eno and Sly and Robbie. The Telegraph observed that “all around the gawping, whistling, cheering Festival Hall was the sense that this is how a star should be”. The show has been one of the most talked about of the year.

In this Sydney-only engagement at the Enmore Theatre, Jones will remind audiences of the power of her remarkable back catalogue and introduce us to blistering new material from Hurricane, the next chapter in a truly amazing career.

Simply unmissable.

Presented with the assistance of Chugg Entertainment

Grace Jones is also appearing at Festival First Night.

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WHAT THE PRESS SAID

"There was a feeling of true showmanship in every act…she treated her audience with the utmost respect and courtesy, calling us collectively ‘Mama Sydney’...more.” – Gig Reviews – 11 January

“She demonstrated everything that made the night perfect in one song: her remarkable vocals, the incredible stage set-up, the calculated tightness of the band and just a bit of diva-like destruction...more.” – Gig Reviews – 11 January

“Simply, this night may well go down in folklore: the most perfect combination of stage theatrics, personality and professionalism ever...more.” – Gig Reviews – 11 January

“Jones backs herself with a voice that is by turns menacing and soulful…more.” – The Australian – 13 January

“Star act.” The Sun Herald – 11 January

“Grace Jones… wowed the crowds, serenading them with hits such as ‘Slave to the Rhythm’... more.” Female First – 12 January

“Jones turns 60 in May … and is still as graphically athletic as ever. Her contralto voice, spanning two and half octaves, remains mighty and powerful… more.” Alive Sydney – 12 January

“The icon to end them all ... more” -The Guardian

"Singer, film actress and style icon Grace Jones still cuts a commanding presence more than 30 years after she made her musical debut...When you are summoned by the inimitable Grace Jones, you respond...more" - BBC News

“A sensational return from a unique talent.” - The Times


“A true original, Jones smashed the female pop mould. Musically she mixed the rhythms of her Jamaican origins with the disco of her adopted home of New York, while her image both shocked and possessed everyone from Andy Warhol and Manhattan’s warehouse party scene to French fashionistas.” - The Drum Media

“Jones is arguably where music and art collided so strikingly.” - The Independent

“I can see why Andy Warhol and Keith Haring were obsessed with her. She’s one of the few true icons of fashion and music – a legend.” - The Sunday Times

“The new wave/disco legend, now 60-years-young, doesn’t miss a beat ...more” - Herald Tribune

“Grace Jones will always be a class act. Hurricane… is typical of her ability to carry things off with style and poise ...more”  - The Nelson Mail

 “Amazing Grace, musician, supermodel, actress and style icon is back, and at 60, she is undiminished. With fiercely edgy and intelligent lyrics, uniquely lovely, better-than-ever vocals, and gloriously melodious instrumentation, all lit up by her devastating charisma ...more” - Liverpool Echo

“Her striking looks have always been her first claim to fame but she's carved out a distinctive musical career on the side ...more” - The Nelson Mail

"On Hurricane, Grace Jones combines elements from disco, reggae, and electro to create an album that draws you in further with every listen...more" - 3 D World 

"Andy Warhol photographed her, Keith Haring painted her, Bowie and Iggy Pop lined up to write songs for her – model, actress, performer, entertainer, singer, producer, writer and enigma, Ms Grace Jones is back with a new album, The Hurricane, reaffirming herself as the superstar she has always been." - AX National

"Grace Jones returns to the meat market after an extended absence with a massive tsunami of sonic detail matched to an equally finessed and poetic sense of self...more" - Village Voice

"Grace Jones is in the middle of a remarkable comeback after disappearing from public view in 1990" - The Australian


"I never do what anyone else is doing. I could walk away from music and become a farmer or do some crochet. The worst thing in life for me is to do something I'm not happy doing...more" -  BBC (UK)


“What a momentus feat then, at age 60, to re-emerge with a record that not only recalls her golden days, but also sounds as fresh as that 70s night she first hit New York’s warehouse discos like a do-or-die demolition man.” - The Drum Media

 

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COMMENTS

Julie 10/12/08

Grace Jones - what a star! It's an honour to have her on Sydney shores this summer.

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Jen 12/01/09

Last night's gig was dazzling.

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Jen 12/01/09

This event was simply dazzling.

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Sue 13/01/09

Congratulations Fergus on securing such a brilliant star in Grace Jones to headline Festival 2009. We joined the legions of devoted fans who worshipped at the Temple of Grace on 11/1 at the Enmore Theatre. We were privileged to join the 'Bumper' on-stage dance number, and my adoring friend got to sing with Grace - such an unreal experience for him. Does anyone have video or photos of the duet ? He would be rapt to receive. He's a Williams, Grace. La Vie En Rose holds strong memories for him. Can you spare him an autograph, or a 5 minute chat ? :-)

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Sara Wichall 14/01/09

Well it was 20yrs worth the wait to see again the enigma that is Grace Jones. She whooped, hula hooped, drank & entertained us as only she can. Thank you for bringing her to our shores again Sydney Festival & brilliant performance from a woman who is an Icon & still has what it takes to make us love her more. 10/10 pure class.

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Carlo 14/01/09

i am so jealous you got to see her! ;-)

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david l 15/01/09

Age has not wearied her and Grace Jones still has that star quality that makes her stand out from the crowd.. Her show on Sun 12 Jan at the Enmore was, in a word - brilliant. A performer in the truest sense of the word - the woman oozes an outrageous sense of raunch, fun, playfulness, and 'don't fuck with me attitude' in equal measure that is seriously contagious There were quick Costume changes every song, and Grace spoke to the crowd every time she was in the change room. Soe classic one liners and random conversation abounded as she flirted with the entire crowd the whole night. Lavish production - good sound, a crack band with a cool light show. Especially loved her hat with green lighting/lasers etc projected into the crowd, Matrix style during one number. Won't got into all the production details but there is some serious eye candy on offer, including her outfits.. Music wise, most of the must haves from her catalogues were there - NightClubbing, Slave to the Rhythm, My Jamaican Guy, et al plenty from her excellent new album including the powerful Williams Blood and Hurricane. Would've loved Feel Up and Nipple to the Bottle but can't complain bout what was offered.. 'Pull Up To the Bumper' was a master class in, ahem, in your face cheekiness before dozens of people made their way onto the stage for a dance. Brilliant show from a unique performer who brings a rare sense of unpredictability and adventure to the stage for 90 minutes of pure, unadulerated adult fun.

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Fred Durst 28/01/09

Just repugnant and pretentious. What on earth do you call this? Get a real band like Guns n Roses or U2 to play at these things!

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