THE WIGGLES & FRIENDS PRESENT "REWIGGLED"
2021 has been a massive year for The Wiggles, despite the challenges that the pandemic has continued to pose. The band celebrated their 30th anniversary; a remarkable milestone that has seen them entertain millions of families and generations of fans around the world. They completed a massive tour of Australia and New Zealand, and released several albums including a career-spanning Greatest Hits collection, We’re All Fruit Salad!, and the ARIA-nominated Lullabies with Love. Most recently, The Wiggles were named as the second-most streamed local artist on Spotify in Australia this year, across all genres.
In an exciting development, the long-standing Wiggles lineup of Anthony Field, Simon Pryce and Lachy Gillespie was expanded to include new members Tsehay Hawkins, Evie Ferris, John Pearce and Kelly Hamilton. It was also announced that Emma Watkins will depart The Wiggles at the end of the year.
Now, the current Wiggles lineup has joined forces with the ‘OG Wiggles’ (Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt and Greg Page), and teamed up with some very special musical friends, for an ambitious and expansive recording project, ReWiggled.
ReWiggled is a double album, comprised of two distinct halves, which celebrate both the enduring nature of The Wiggles’ songbook, and also The Wiggles’ own lifetime love of music.
Side One of the album sees some of Australia’s top musicians paying tribute to The Wiggles, honouring the profound and unique influence the band has had over generations of young music fans. Featuring classic Wiggles songs reimagined by artists including Spacey Jane, DZ Deathrays, The Chats, Stella Donnelly, San Cisco, Emily Wurramara, Polish Club, Dami Im, Donny Benet, Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Custard, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Luca Brasi, and more.
Following on from The Wiggles’ groundbreaking appearance on triple j’s Like A Version (covering Tame Impala’s ‘Elephant’) – and in response to overwhelming audience demand, so popular was their offering – the band have decided to record a full length collection of covers, filled with equally unforgettable and impressive renditions of some of their favourite songs.
Side Two of ReWiggled features “wigglified” versions of hits originally performed by AC/DC, Queen, Rihanna, James Brown, The Chats, Fatboy Slim, and many more.
The ReWiggled double album will be released on March 11, 2022. However, today sees the release of the first taste of the collection, the 5 track ReWiggled EP.
This sneak peek sampler sees beloved Perth indie rock maestros Spacey Jane deliver a sparkling, joyous version of ‘D.O.R.O.T.H.Y. (My Favourite Dinosaur)’, in what is a major highlight of the album.
Queensland shed rock heroes The Chats put their own unmistakable garage punk stamp all over ‘Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist?)’.
And The Wiggles have returned the favour directly, with their exhilarating yet Wiggly take on The Chats’ modern Aussie Rock classic ‘Pub Feed’.
But perhaps the wildest moment on the EP sees The Wiggles tackle one of the most iconic songs of all time – Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – in a performance that proves to be an absolute musical tour de force.
On their involvement with ReWiggled, Spacey Jane commented:
“There were plenty of reasons 'D.O.R.O.T.H.Y. (My Favourite Dinosaur)' was the track we chose! First and foremost, we've accidentally stumbled upon Peppa's insanely good Dorothy impressions, and the ad-libs really gave her space to shine. It was easy to re-interpret the song and comfortably make it sound like something we'd release, and we had an absolute blast putting it together in the studio. Honestly, wouldn't be surprised if we play it live at least once or twice...”
Wiggles founder and Blue Wiggle Anthony Field, remarked:
“It’s been really enjoyable, and also so humbling, hearing all these wonderful artists doing their versions of Wiggles songs – they’re all so very talented. And it’s been a real thrill to get back in the studio together with all the Wiggles – the current members and the OG’s – to record some cover versions of our own. We had so much fun doing ‘Elephant’ for Like A Version, and now we’re really excited for people to hear what we’ve cooked up for this record!”
TRACK LISTING
SIDE ONE: PERFORMED BY VARIOUS ARTISTS
Including:
· DZ Deathrays – ‘Hot Potato’
· Spacey Jane – ‘D.O.R.O.T.H.Y (My Favourite Dinosaur)’
· Stella Donnelly – ‘Ba Ba Da Bicycle Ride’
· The Chats – ‘Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist?)’
· Emily Wurramara – ‘Dressing Up’
· Polish Club – ‘Apples & Bananas’
· Donny Benet – ‘Sicily (I Want to Go)’
· San Cisco – ‘H.O.L.I.D.A.Y.’
· Custard – ‘Do the Propeller!’
· Emma Donovan & The Putbacks – ‘Say the Dance, Do the Dance’
· Dami Im – ‘Big Red Car’
· Luca Brasi – ‘The Shimmie Shake’
· Melbourne Ska Orchestra – ‘We’re All Fruit Salad!’
+ more TBA
SIDE TWO: PERFORMED BY THE WIGGLES
Including:
· ‘Elephant’ (original by Tame Impala)
· ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (original by Queen)
· ‘Umbrella’ (original by Rhianna)
· ‘Thunderstruck’ (original by AC/DC)
· ‘Pub Feed’ (original by The Chats)
· ‘Sunday Girl’ (original by Blondie)
· ‘Get on the Good Foot’ (original by James Brown)
· ‘Praise You’ (original by Fatboy Slim)
· ‘Brand New Key’ (original by Melanie)
· ‘She’s a Rainbow’ (original by The Rolling Stones)
· ‘Live It Up’ (original by Mental As Anything)
· ‘Shipping Up to Boston’ (original by Dropkick Murphys)
+ more TBA
*not final track listing
THE WIGGLES AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2022
Daytime shows, + night-time OG Wiggles concerts
In 2022, The Wiggles will hit the road for a massive national Arena tour, with daytime shows from the newly expanded line-up, and night-time shows from The OG Wiggles (for audiences aged 15+). The OG Wiggles shows will feature support from a rotating cast of artists including The Polish Club, DZ Deathrays, Planet, and others to be announced shortly.
Saturday, 12th February | Darwin Entertainment Centre, NT
Saturday, 19th February | Derwent Entertainment Centre, TAS
Saturday, 12th March | Rod Laver Arena, VIC
Saturday, 9th April | RAC Arena Perth, WA
Saturday, 23rd April | Qudos Bank Arena, NSW
Saturday, 30th April | Brisbane Entertainment Centre, QLD
Saturday, 7th May | Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA
Tickets on-sale now from thewiggles.com.au
