Belinda Carlisle: ‘G’day and Goodbye’ Tour Expands to 10 Shows
Belinda Carlisle’s Australian farewell tour has grown from four dates to 10 shows after strong demand. The singer says she is not retiring, but plans to tour less as she works on a new album and prepares for her final Australian performances in March.
Belinda Carlisle’s “G’day and Goodbye” tour of Australia has expanded from four dates to 10 shows, the singer said, with the performances planned for March. The growth follows strong demand for what she calls her final Australian tour.
The tour marks a change in pace, not retirement. Carlisle said she is making a new album and expects to keep creating, while cutting back on touring after decades on the road.
A farewell to touring Australia
“I just want to say g’day and goodbye,” Carlisle said. “I’ll always be creative. In fact, I’m making a new album right now.”
The singer said touring has become harder and that she has been performing since she was 19. She expects to take on occasional shows, but not tour as much.
“I’ll make albums but I just won’t tour that much any more,” she said.
Carlisle’s first trip to Australia was in 1982 with The Go-Go’s. While performing in Melbourne, she broke her ankle stepping offstage and the band canceled the rest of its tour.
“I missed a stair and just went over on the side of my foot,” Carlisle said. She recalled being wheeled through the airport by bandmate Gina Schock.
The injury did not end her connection with Australian audiences. Carlisle said she has returned many times and described the crowds as “pretty much rabid, which I like.”
Several of her songs found particular success in Australia. “Our Lips Are Sealed” reached No. 2 there in 1981, its highest chart position globally, while her album “Runaway Horses” went double-platinum in the country.
Its single “Summer Rain” became a gold-certified hit on the ARIA charts and was among the most-played songs on Australian radio in 1990. Carlisle said it remains her favorite song to perform live.
Her account of addiction
Carlisle also reflected on the period when she recognized the severity of her addiction. “I realised during that bender that I was in the throes of addiction,” she said.
The singer has spoken about decades of cocaine abuse. She recalled that The Go-Go’s 1982 Australian tour was marked by partying and blurred memories: “We were so naughty.”
Carlisle said the group performed some shows with the Sunnyboys, but added that the tour was “all kind of a blur because we were really into the moment and having a lot of fun – too much fun.”
Her planned March performances will be her last Australian tour, though Carlisle stressed she is not retiring and is currently working on new music.
