Image
Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Andrew De Silva’s Purple Revolution: In Loving Memory of Prince at Astor Theatre

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

CDB and Boom Crash Opera singer Andrew De Silva would often throw two or three Prince songs into a set, so it was a natural progression when he created concert Purple Revolution in 2016 featuring the hits and b-sides of the music icon.

Prince died three weeks after the show debuted.

“As soon as it happened, my phone was ringing off the hook with people asking me what I was going to do with the show,” De Silva said.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“At the start I didn’t know because it was all just such a shock; we started the show and then he was gone.

“We performed the show again about three weeks after he passed away and it was such a big night, which took on a very different feeling and spirit. It was really now about paying our respects and remembering what a genius he was.”

Purple Revolution: In Loving Memory of Prince will be at Astor Theatre on March 15 where De Silva, who does not dress up and impersonate Prince, will continue to pay homage to the performer he has idolised since primary school.

“It was Purple Rain the movie that hooked me,” the Melbourne singer said.

“Certainly some of his songs went over my head at that age but I was just mesmerised by his stage presence.

“When we were little, the superheroes for us were Michael Jackson, Prince and rock acts like Bon Jovi. As I kid, I always saw him as being a little bit weird and wonderful doing his own things and he could get away with being like that because his music was such a force.”

De Silva said the concert was performed out of love and respect, and the mood in the venue always changed when they performed Purple Rain.

“People don’t even understand what Purple Rain means and yet they understand the song, they get it,” he said.

“God knows what he’s talking about but we all get that same feeling. There’s nothing like hearing Prince’s music live.”

Community News has four double passes to give away to Purple Revolution: In Loving Memory of Prince at Astor Theatre on March 15.

Enter here by 10am on Friday, February 22.

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Purple Revolution: In Loving Memory of Prince

Where: Astor Theatre

When: March 15

Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au