By Tyler Wright
Electro-pop act Boo Seeka, AKA musician Ben ‘Boo’ Gumbleton, will bring his synths to Belgrave’s Sooki Lounge on Thursday 23 March as part of the solo artists’ biggest regional tour yet.
Packed into his own car with three crew members, Gumbleton has performed to crowds at venues in Townsville, Byron Bay, Port Macquarie and Woolongong along with other regional destinations throughout the country on his Australian tour with 25 plus dates.
“It’s a little crew in my car all packed up, all squashed in like we would have been when we first started out, and honestly, it’s just been incredible…if we didn’t have other things to do, we’d be turning around and doing it all over again,” Gumbleton said.
The first time Gumbleton performed in Belgrave was in 2015, with the area becoming one of his “top favourite” regional venues to play in Australia.
“I’ve had nothing but great shows there and great memories, and it’s always packed and a good vibe and I think it’s a great room,” Gumbleton said.
“I can’t wait to get back.”
Boo Seeka was nominated for Triple J’s Unearthed Artist of the Year in 2015, with the act since going on to release several Gold certified records and perform several sellout tours around the country.
While the pandemic brought Gumbleton’s touring schedule to a halt in 2020; he released Boo Seeka’s second studio album ‘Between The Head & The Heart’ in 2022.
Fans will be able to enjoy crowd favourites on the current tour, including Kingdom Leader and Finish What You Started, with Gumbleton also set to trial run new songs off an upcoming third record.
“Before I got to do this as a career, I was the one buying five tickets to shows every week to go and see live music,” Gumbleton said.
“To be in that crowd and seeing my favourite bands playing my favourite songs, and whether it was a sad song or a happy song or a song that made me angry, it gave me emotion, and I was singing at the top of my lungs.
“For me to be on the opposite side of that, being on stage and seeing people smiling or crying and wrapping hands around their friends and singing the top of their lungs; It’s something that I can’t really explain, but it’s the best feeling that you could possibly be given.”
The touring crew will travel to San Remo and Rye after Gumbleton’s performance in Belgrave, followed by a trip to Western Australia before a trip to Darwin where the artist will join indie folk band Boy & Bear on tour.
“I’d be incredibly honoured if you come and saw a Boo Seeka show, but if not, go out and support your other favourite bands,” Gumbleton said.
“This industry has gone through the ringer and it’s been tough…the best way to get it back to what we all know as live music is to go out there and support your bands.”
For more information on Boo Seeka’s Regional Australia Tour, visit https://linktr.ee/booseeka
