Fans of Daniel Johns, the iconic frontman of Silverchair, are in for a treat as he makes a long-awaited return to the Newcastle stage. For the first time in 18 years, Johns will appear at the Civic Theatre on Friday, November 7, as part of a unique evening combining storytelling, film, and music. This special event promises an intimate look into the life and career of one of Australia’s most celebrated musicians.
The centerpiece of the evening is the premiere of Johns’ short film, What If The Future Never Happened?, which will be showcased across four cities: Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Each event will include a film screening followed by an hour-long onstage conversation with Johns, where ticket holders can engage directly by submitting questions beforehand.
Exploring the Journey of a Rock Legend
During these sessions, Johns will delve into his early life and rapid ascent from a Newcastle High school student to a global rock sensation alongside his Silverchair bandmates, Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou. Fans will gain insight into his creative process through never-before-seen photos, archival footage, and unreleased recordings, including a rough cut of “Ana’s Song (Open Fire)” from Silverchair’s acclaimed 1999 album, Neon Ballroom.
The film, directed by James Medlam and starring Rasmus King as a young Daniel Johns, was shot in Newcastle with a local crew and partially funded by the Winarch Group. Winarch director Paul Lambess also served as an executive producer. The narrative, loosely based on Johns’ own life story, chronicles his meteoric rise to fame following the success of Silverchair’s debut single “Tomorrow” and their first album, Frogstomp, which sold over a million copies in the United States.
A Blend of Reality and Fantasy
Johns describes the film as “equal parts reality and fantasy,” expressing immense pride in the project. “The orchestration took time, and the final result was worth it,” he stated. Johns aims to transform theatres into “giant living rooms,” offering a relaxed atmosphere where he will share stories, play unreleased tracks, and discuss ideas that may never come to fruition. “It would be great if some people showed up, but I’m doing it anyway – you’re all invited!” he added.
“What If The Future Never Happened? is equal parts reality and fantasy and I’m as proud of it as anything I’ve ever done in my career,” Johns said.
A Historic Return
This event marks Johns’ first performance on a local stage since Silverchair’s 2007 co-headline show with Powderfinger at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre. The band’s last performance in the Hunter region was at Maitland’s Groovin’ The Moo in 2010, a year before they disbanded.
Tickets for the Daniel Johns In Conversation: What If The Future Never Happened? tour are highly anticipated, with a Frontier member presale beginning on Wednesday at 11 am, followed by a general sale at 1 pm on Thursday.
As fans eagerly await this rare opportunity to connect with Johns, the tour represents not just a celebration of his past achievements but also a look forward to his future endeavors. The event promises to be a memorable experience, blending the nostalgia of Silverchair’s legacy with the excitement of new creative projects.
