Coming in fresh from winning her first Grammy Award® after five previous nominations, Ruthie Foster is set to return to Australia in March 2025, bringing her powerhouse vocals and extraordinary musicianship back to our stages, and has now announced who will be playing the coveted opening slot on her Heartshine Australian Tour.
Renowned singer-songwriter and the face of Cole Clark Guitars, Lloyd Spiegel will be Ruthie’s special guest at Memo Music Hall in St Kilda on Wednesday, March 5, Queenscliff Town Hall on Friday, March 7 and Brunswick Ballroom on Thursday, March 13. Joining her almost sold-out Memo Music Hall show on Thursday, March 6 will be the legendary Phil Para, performing a set of originals with his talented son, Denzil Para. The father/son duo will also perform at Ruthie’s Theatre Royal, Castlemaine show on Friday, March 14. Opening Ruthie’s Wollongong gig at Centro CBD on Wednesday, March 19 will be local modern day bluesman, Frank Sultana, while Ruthie’s longtime keyboardist, Scottie Miller will be the curtain raiser in Sydney and Brisbane – at Concourse Lounge on Friday, March 21 and Old Museum on Saturday, March 22. Scottie is a Blues Music Award recipient and Bluebird Reviews’ Artist Of the Year.
Ruthie is also Blues Music Award winner, celebrated for her soulful voice and masterful skills on both guitar and piano. Her Grammy® winning album, Mileage is her tenth studio album and her debut release with the iconic Sun Records label.
Produced by Tyler Bryant (of Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown) and featuring contributions from his wife, Rebecca Lovell (one half of Larkin Poe), Mileage is a deeply personal work. The album reflects Ruthie’s journey, capturing the highs and lowsof a life shaped by music, personal loss, and professional triumphs. From her roots singing in rural Texas churches to collaborating with iconic artists like Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Ruthie’s music continues to inspire and uplift.
The tour is named after one of the album’s standout tracks, Heartshine, a song that tookshape during the writing sessions as a shared vision between Ruthie, Bryant, and Lovell. With its emotional depth and soul-stirring sound, the track is a fitting symbol for the album’s powerful narrative.
Fans can expect to experience this magic live when Ruthie performs 14 shows across three states and one territory, kicking off in Victoria. She will open her tour at St Kilda’sMemo Music Hall on March 5, which was added by popular demand as March 6 at Memo is close to being sold out. These will be followed by performances at Queenscliff Town Hall (March 7), Port Fairy Folk Festival (March 8-10), Brunswick Ballroom (March 13), and Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal (March 14).
Next, Ruthie heads to New South Wales for the Blue Mountains Music Festival (March 15-16) and Wollongong’s Centro CBD on March 19. In Canberra, she will perform atThe Street Theatre on March 18, before heading to Sydney’s Concourse Lounge on March 21. Queensland audiences can catch her in Brisbane at The Old Museum on March 22 and at Tanks Arts Centre in Cairns on March 23.
Prepare for goosebumps as Ruthie Foster brings her rich blend of blues, gospel, and soul to Australian shores once again.
