Colin Hay (Photo by Paul Mobley)

Renowned globally as frontman in the Australian band Men at Work, Colin Hay has since proven himself as a solo artist. Today, Colin releases an album of covers — songs important to him — called I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself, recorded during pandemic lockdown.

Colin and his band visit The Birchmere to play some of those songs and others for two shows on Tuesday, Aug. 17, and Wednesday, Aug. 18.

As a lad, Colin’s love for music was born in his native Scotland, where, working at his parents record store, he heard all the hits of the day, from the Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” to Faces’ “Ooh La La” to Dusty Springfield’s “I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself.”

At home during quarantine in early 2021, he read that Gerry Marsden had died and found himself strumming the Gerry and the Pacemakers’ Merseybeat hit, “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying.” He decided to turn on the tape machines and share with his frequent collaborator/producer, Chad Fischer, who asked for more of the same.

Stream Colin Hay covering “Waterloo Sunset” by the Kinks on YouTube:

Colin says, “I recorded an album of songs written by other people that have meant a lot to me ever since I was a young fellow. I can’t wait to play them for you on this upcoming jaunt across the land. Old songs, new songs, and everything in between. It will be good to again make a good noise after so long, and transport you to a place of beauty, hope, and wonder.”

Buy your tickets online for Tuesday, Aug. 17, now.

Buy your tickets online for Wednesday, Aug. 18, now.

Colin Hay
The Birchmere
Tuesday, Aug. 17
Wednesday, Aug. 18
Show @ 7:30pm
$65
All ages