One of the most influential and groundbreaking artists in pop, hip-hop and R&B, Pharrell Williams, will tour Australia in March as a headlining addition to 2014’s Future Music Festival in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, with sideshows set for Perth and Brisbane.
“Australia is such a fun place for music – I’ve always had amazing experiences there. Looking forward to seeing all the fans out for Future Music Festival – can’t wait to perform and show them my gratitude,” said Williams, who yesterday also won the Grammy for Producer of the Year.
Williams also accepted the Grammy for Record of the Year with Daft Punk for their song ‘Get Lucky.’ It’s no surprise he took home a total of three Grammy awards, having spent most of the year at the top of the charts across a mix of music genres. Williams is also nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards which takes place on 2 March, for his hit song ‘Happy’ the theme song from Despicable Me 2.
Because of his attendance at the Oscars this year, Brisbane and Perth fans will miss out on seeing him headline at Future Music Festival, but will instead be treated to two special sideshows, with ticket holders to the festival being offered an exclusive discount to the sideshows via an emailed pre-sale offer.
Singer, rapper, producer, fashion designer and entrepreneur – there seems there is not much Williams can’t do. The 40 year old was behind the two biggest tracks of 2013 – Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ and ‘Get Lucky’ with Daft Punk – holding the accolade of being only the 12th artist in US Billboard chart history to simultaneously hold both the number one and two positions. Then, in November 2013 he rewrote the rules yet again, delivering yet another chart topper in solo single ‘Happy’ which has since gone platinum and spent two weeks at the top of the ARIA Singles Chart, also reaching number one in the UK, USA and many other European countries.
“The impetus for all of my music is ‘What is missing?’ I don’t want to do what sounds like other people… Joy is something that the world needs more of right now,” he told Billboard.
The talented producer and performer is currently working on his highly anticipated solo album, his first in eight years, following his successful 2006 album In My Mind. Williams also has collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Jennifer Hudson, Major Lazor, T.I., Pusha T, and Busta Rhymes in the pipeline. And in April 2014 he will headline yet another huge festival – the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California.
Williams has long been crafting an influential imprint on the music world, with past hits including, ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ and ‘Shake Ya Ass.’ As well as performing, he has also produced with some of music’s biggest names, including Jay Z, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Usher, Britney Spears, No Doubt, and many more. He’s also the frontman of N*E*R*D, a group formed in 2011, responsible for dance floor classics such as ‘Rock Star’ and ‘She Wants To Move.’
However William’s talents stretch far beyond the realm of music. He has used his creative aesthetic to design jewelry for Louis Vuitton, collaborated on furniture with names like Domeau & Peres, created an number of iconic clothing lines, produced sustainable fabrics and bicycles, and much, much more.
NME wrote that “2013 has belonged to Pharrell,” so it will be interesting to see what music’s man of the moment can make of 2014.
Megan Pustetto 