Rai Thistlethwayte
Thirty Merc's frontman is touring the state solo — and you can catch him for free.
Overview
He may be best known as the frontman of Thirsty Merc (and writer of the Bondi Rescue theme song), but Rai Thistlethwayte is something of a musical polymath. He's been writing and performing tunes since the age of 15 and attended the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music. As well as his songwriting and singing talents, he plays the piano and guitar. In his career he's performed as a solo artist, as part of numerous jazz combos, as a member of the session group on The Voice and as a keyboardist for American rock god Joe Satriani's touring band. That's not to mention his stints as a teacher and mentor at APRA's annual songwriting conference. It's fair to say Rai knows what he's doing — and anyone lucky enough to catch him this month is in for a tour de force of top-quality musicianship. On top of his Sydney gig, he's playing up the coast at The Kent Hotel in Newcastle on Friday, November, 13 and at The Seabreeze Hotel in Nelson Bay on Saturday, November 14. Or, head (very far) west and catch him at the Griffth Leagues Club on Friday, November 27.
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