The Whitlams’ success has always been about the emotional clout of the songs, so it was no surprise when demand rocketed for the performances where the songs were presented without their rock adornments. Recently they just finished a national run of shows backed by some of Australia’s best Symphony Orchestras, including the ASO, SSO & WASO sees The Whitlams playing to sold out shows all around the country.\n\nThe Whitlams formed in late 1992 in Newtown, Australia. As a three piece with no drummer, Tim Freedman, Stevie Plunder and Andy Lewis developed their songs acoustically on Saturday afternoons at the Sandringham Hotel in King Street. So followed the usual formative months of beer, bonding and bad shows. In early 1993 they discovered that with their gear, they could all fit into a Kingswood station wagon. Taking turns lying on the piano in the back, they headed off every six weeks to Byron Bay and Brisbane and became a real band.\n\nAfter many years of perseverance & constant touring The Whitlams had their breakthrough album in 1997. At the 1998 ARIA Awards, The Whitlams won ‘Best Group’ as well as ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Best Independent Release’ for their third album “Eternal Nightcap”. In 2011 this album was placed 27th on the ABC’s “My Favourite Album” poll, and more recently was voted no. 17 in “JJJ’s Hottest Australian Albums of All Time”.\n\nThe Whitlams recorded output spans seven albums since 1993, and includes the double platinum “Love This City”, the No. 1 “Torch the Moon” and their “Truth, Beauty & A Picture of You – Best of the Whitlams” which sat in the Top 10 for six weeks running. More recently Tim released a solo album on Sony titled “Australian Idle”.\n\nThe current lineup has remained unchanged for the last 10 years and 4 albums, and consists of Tim Freedman on piano and vocals, Jak Housden on guitar, Warwick Hornby on bass guitar and Terepai Richmond on drums.\n\n“The Whitlams put on a superb performance at the Tivoli tonight. Years of touring have meant that their shows are immensely polished and professional yet still remain personal and light-hearted. They certainly showed why they have been such a long-standing force in the Australian music scene.” – FasterLouder