MARCIA Hines might be 70, but she’s lost none of her stage energy or presence, wowing fans at the Swan Hill Town Hall in her only show in the Mallee region.
Joined by Ron Haryanto and Chris Luder two talented singers and dancers, along with percussionist Stef Furnari, Hines performed a mixture of her classics, new work and even a reworked version of the Rolling Stone classic Jumpin’ Jack Flash.
Performing as the duo Suit and Tie, Haryanto and Luder have been a part of Marcia Hines’ shows for more than 10 years and this was their first time in Swan Hill.
Luder said the Town Hall was reminiscent of the town hall in his home town of Gladstone in Queensland.
“The venue is awesome and when I walked up to the gig, I was taken back to my childhood,” Luder said.
“It even has the same vibe as the building in Gladstone.”
Haryanto was one of the songwriters for Hines’ Amazing album and needed to put a band together for the tour.
“I needed somebody on stage that performed the same as me,” he said.
“Chris walked through the door, and we have been best mates ever since and we have been touring with Marcia from that time on.”
“Being on tour is like being part of a small family, it’s a really good hang and a riot touring.
“It’s really good for the soul.”
Percussionist Stef Furnari has been touring with the group for about five years.
Off the stage, Marcia Hines showed what an incredibly gracious and generous person as she greeted fans seeking pictures and autographs.
Hines clearly enjoyed listening to their stories of how her music has touched their lives.
“I loved it here, the concert was outstanding,” Hines said.
“We came into town, and we hit up the op shops, that’s my thing, so we did a little shopping at the op shops and then we came to this marvellous venue.
“It is such a wonderful art deco building and Swan Hill is so lucky to have such a great concert hall.
‘The show sounded great and the audience were so receptive and it was great to perform here.”
