When I first saw Xavier Rudd I had no idea what to expect, he was largely unknown to me. 2010 brought a new album and a new band to fit including bassist Tio Moloantoa and percussionist Andile Nqubezelo. Rudd’s 2007 tour in support of his 2007 album “White Moth” was lauded by critics for being entirely carbon-neutral and the album introduced darker themes which are observable in his follow-up “Dark Shades of Blue” in 2008. Rudd is widely known and appreciated on the festival circuits in Australia and Canada, and is equally appreciated in both countries for his socially conscious lyrics often regarding the mistreatment of aboriginals.

Love & Special Sauce and later released the live album “Good Spirit” and the Studio album “Food in the Belly” in 2005. Becoming more well know Rudd toured with Jack Johnson and G. 13 and became a platinum selling album, due to distribution via Universal Records Australia. His sophomore released named “Solace” saw Rudd’s introduction to the Australian music chart debuting at No. Rudd’s first recording titled “Live in Canada” was released independently in 2001 and made way for his debut studio album “To Let” in 2002. Rudd has also perfected the art of circular breathing on the didgeridoo, often seen with jazz musicians, he is able to produce a singular drone sound that never falters.

The list of instruments Rudd is able to play cannot be counted on a single pair of hands, from Weissenborn slide guitars and banjos, to harmonicas and Aztec Organettes, the Australian musician’s set up surrounds him with the capacity for sound. These skills were honed and expanded on during his years travelling and busking. The perfect song to take to the people.Growing up Rudd learned to play the guitar, clarinet and saxophone however sought ways to overlap and interweave various instruments at once. Mixed by the legendary Errol Brown, Flag is the perfect representation of this sound, and indeed the spirit within Xavier Rudd & The United Nations: it is a passionate call to unite, wrapped in pure Tuff Gong authenticity. Its time to Boogie!”- Xavier Ruddĭescribed by Rolling Stone as a “ beautiful celebration of a global sound”, Nanna is an amazingly uplifting listen. We will be touring regional places in Australia some we’ve never been to, some we haven’t been for a long time, in order to deliver this message and celebrate the energy of one people with our fellow Australians. This album, this tour, this family, The United Nations is an example energetically & spiritually of where we need to be as a nation. “In a time when Australia is digging deep, marching together and standing strong for our threatened communities in the Northwest and simply the long awaited need for positive change for reconciliation in our country, I feel the spirit of this band is very important. Across the Atlantic, Xavier Rudd & The United Nations will spend June and July on a European tour, performing for fans in 16 cities across seven countries, before heading back to Australia for the Flag Tour. Spending April and May in North America, the band have been met with even more sold-out shows abroad, with New York, Toronto and Montreal all hitting capacity. Nanna has received rave reviews, and The United Nations are consistently proving themselves to be one of the best live bands in the world. Following straight on from their appearance at Splendour In The Grass this July, Xavier Rudd & The United Nations will tour Australia-wide throughout August, September and October to celebrate the release of Flag – the second single from their acclaimed debut album, Nanna.Īs the year has progressed, Xavier Rudd & The United Nations have become a global force.

Xavier rudd gig