Phil Davidson
"Fabulous, thoughtful and engaging" – Richard Glover (702 ABC Sydney)
"Gorgeous…wonderful" – Cherrie McIllwaine (The Late Show, BBC)
"Australia should be proud of this singer/songwriting gem!" – The Drew Marshall Show, Canada
ABC 702 Drive Show host, Richard Glover, discovered singer/songwriter Phil Davidson. It was his subsequent rendition of his song 'Belfast Boy' on the show that proved a massive hit amongst 702 listeners resulting in his signing to ABC/Universal Music and the launch of his full time music career. Prior to that Phil had been a high school music teacher.
He is a songwriter and performer of the highest calibre. His songs are known for their wonderful turn of phrase, their self-effacing humour and their strong Celtic melodies. No surprise due to Phil being originally from Ireland.
Phil is a regular on Richard Glover's Drive show and TGIF along side some of the countries finest comedians. He has toured internationally, released numerous albums and writes regularly for film, theatre and charity.
His song "Love That Matters", written to raise money for the Blue Mountains Fire Appeal, was number 1 on the Australian Country charts in 2013.
Hubert Sumlin, Canned Heat, Walter Trout and Mick Fleetwood have all invited him to play with them onstage. He's opened for BB King, Status Quo, Mick Taylor, Buddy Guy, Rory Gallagher, Ray Charles, Junior Wells, Peter Green, Johnny Winter, Robin Trower, Jeff Healey, The Yardbirds, Magnum, Ten Years After, Dr Feelgood and appears at festivals and clubs in the UK, Brazil, Malta, Australia and Europe.
In his shows Ashton takes us on an eclectic mesmerising musical journey from acoustic roots, blues and world music to a set of electric hard-edged rockin' blues, 60s-style fuzz garage rock and Brit-voiced psychedelia on an array of instruments, including a 1930s National steel guitar, Weissenborn lap slide and his custom-made Italian Liutart signature model guitar.
With no backing tracks or setlist Ashton spontaneously draws his set mostly from eight released studio albums. His lyrical songwriting and musical dexterity on resonator and lap slide guitars mixed with frenetic electric slide, heavy bass lines, hardcore kick drum beats and lo-fi microphone vocals makes him one of the most unique contemporary artists on the scene today.
'One of the best blues guitarists since Stevie Ray Vaughan'. - Krusher Joule Kerrang, BBC
From humble beginnings playing numerous gigs without pay to opening acts at major international events VTRIBE have come along way with no sign of slowing down.
Bursting onto the social scene in 2005 they quickly set themselves apart from other bands with their unique style and individual sound.
Often affectionately joking that they’re “Bringing their Tongan backyard tunes to the main stage!” they are adored by fans for their down to earth nature and funky style peformances.
VTRIBE’S sound is a specialized blend ROOTS ROCK REGGAE all wrapped up into the one dynamic show!
As special guest to artists for the likes of award winning Fiji, Katchafire, Nesian Mystik, Adeaze, Jboog, Ardijah and Australia’s 2007 Urban Music Award Winner, Red Room they are quickly gaining the entertainment industry recognition that they have worked so hard to achieve.
VTRIBE HIGHLIGHTS
* 1st Runners up the “GLOBAL BATTLE OF THE BANDS” (03/11/10)
* Front man Joseph Vaivao featured at the NRL Rugby League World Cup, reciting the anthem.
* Winners of the Stage 2 Battle of the Bands 'BEST IN THE WEST'.
*Featured as one of the main acts in the Oceana Festival for World Youth Day 2008.
Their complete 11 piece band consists of Mino Vaivao ( keyboard, vocals), David Vaivao (bass), Rodney Vaivao (drums), Raymond Vaivao (keyboard), Joseph Vaivao (vocals), Andrew Silva (guitar), Vee Fa'amoe (vocals, percussion), Marcus (percussion), Benny (trumpet), David Lavalu (trumpet) & Tui Fifita (trombone).