Archie Roach, TELL ME WHY, Regional NSW Tour LIVE @ Saraton Theatre

Not many have lived as many lives – from stolen child, teenage alcoholic, seeker, lover, father, musical and lyrical genius, to social advocate and First Nations leader – but it took almost a lifetime to find who he really was.

He is Archie Roach.

In recent years he faced the sudden death of his life partner and musical collaborator of 38 years, Ruby Hunter and went on to survive a debilitating stroke and lung cancer.

Forcibly removed at only two from loving parents, six other siblings and his community, Roach’s early years were equally traumatic. He became a teenage alcoholic and drifted into destitution whilst searching for his identity and place.

Tell Me Why, the title of his award winning memoir (Simon and Schuster) and companion album, is an intimate, moving and often confronting account of his resilience and strength of spirit, and also of a great love story. It’s an extraordinary odyssey of love and heartbreak, family and community, survival and renewal – and the healing power of music.

Roach voices the joy, pain and hope he found on his path through these songs to become this country’s foremost First Nations singer-songwriter and storyteller that he is today – beloved and respected by fans worldwide.

Some song-writers wrap themselves in cloaks, whether of enigma or inanity, and some bare their souls. Then there’s Archie Roach. – Sydney Morning Herald

As a member of the Stolen Generations, Roach had a direct line to the pain and suffering indigenous families endured when children were taken from them. He condensed those emotions into a few minutes of music that stands as one of the great Australian humanitarian artistic statements – The Australian.

Roach is one of this country’s most important and treasured singer-songwriters. Through his songs he has educated this country on the history of Aboriginal experience and the injustice and desecration of his people and land. His profoundly spiritual presence would capivate for the next hour-and-a-half in imparting a deeply personal and moving on-stage memoir of his life. – The Age Feb 2021