Parra News April 9 2024

ENTERTAINMENT
MOVIES, TELEVISION, MUSIC AND MORE – PARRAMATTA’S LEADING ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE
FROM VEGAS
TO THE WEST!
CASSIDY PEARCE
Though he admits that being involved
in a Bee Gees tribute show
was never his goal initially, Michael
Clift said he saw the signs
when the reception he got when
playing their songs at corporate gigs was so
positive, prompting him to start up a band for
a bit of fun.
“It was never meant to be our main focus, we
just thought it was a brilliant idea,” he said.
But, when people started liking it, Clift recalls
conversations starting around who they
wanted to be. Was it a matter of singing a few
covers, or going all-in on authenticity?
“We soon realised that we needed to put
more effort into it, so then it’s a case of, how
much effort do you put into it, is it really worth
it?” he said.
“It was then that we decided that it’s a great
idea, and it really deserved our respect and
our 110 per cent.”
It was then that Clift decided to become Barry
Gibb, taking the time to master those high
notes, and the quintessential Bee Gees sound.
To no-one’s surprise, this was when people
started to respond, allowing Clift to take the
show internationally. But, a tour in the US is
when things truly changed.
“The US is a tough market, you have to be on
your A game to nail it, and I think at that point
when we did that and we got back, we felt like
we did a good job, and we just had a different
confidence,” he said.
Clift and the The Australian Bee Gees Show
ended up scoring a Vegas residency, which
has seen them perform to thousands, and
continue to do so into next year.
According to Clift, this has been a phenomenal
journey.
“If I wake up one morning and think about
it, you think, ‘This can’t be real’, because we’ve
been here for 13 years,” he said.
“We’re in Excalibur six nights a week, we’ve
done over 4000 shows. People come to hear
the Bee Gees’ music, and we deliver! It’s like
sprinting a marathon. We don’t rest.”
This month, Clift will be heading back to
Australia for the first time since before the
pandemic, and he’s bringing the band along
with him for a few shows.
“It’s a big deal for us to come back to Australia,
especially for me because I’ve been in Vegas
for 13 years. My family is here, my friends
are here, so it’s a beautiful thing,” he said.
According to Clift, the show which will be
taking to the Evan Theatre stage later this
month is much the same as their Vegas stuff,
allowing for Penrith locals to get a taste of
Vegas, and a great Aussie success story, right
here at home.
“For us, it’s a celebration of the whole catalogue
of the Bee Gees, with less focus on the
‘60s and ‘70s,” he said.
“We’re taking the Vegas show on the road,
and that’s what we love about it. When we say
‘direct from Vegas’, it’s direct from Vegas.”
The Australian Bee Gees Show will be on
at Panthers on Thursday, August 18 at 8pm.
Tickets: $45. Visit penrith.panthers.com.au.
Hambledon Cottage Museum
• Enjoy a fascinating 19th century guided experience in Colonial
Parramatta.
• A rare surviving circa 1824 Colonial Georgian Cottage that
showcases 1850’s living with authentic period furnishings.
• Experience the gracious and lavish lifestyle that John
Macarthur’s family and friends once lived.
• Visit our Lucas Gallery and see the new exhibition:
Commemorating 200 Years at Hambledon Cottage –
‘A very neat little abode’
Admission Prices are Adults $10, Concessions $8, Children $2
PN48352
Cnr Hassall St & Gregory Place, Parramatta | Phone 9635 6924 | hambledoncottagemuseum.org.au
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 « parra news 25