With founding member Chris White (saxophone) and 6 first-class musicians.
Thirty years have passed since Dire Straits disbanded, leaving behind a catalogue of some of the best compositions and musical performances that the heyday of rock ever produced. If anything, their reputation has only grown with time. Record sales of more than 120 million albums continue to rise as new young fans discover the music and join the band's huge worldwide following.
The heyday of rock
Thirty years have passed since Dire Straits disbanded, leaving behind a catalogue of some of the best compositions and musical performances that the heyday of rock ever produced. If anything, their reputation has only grown with time. Record sales of more than 120 million albums continue to rise as new young fans discover the music and join the band’s huge worldwide following.
Against the backdrop of a hiatus of more than two decades – and a growing demand to hear one of the most dramatic songbooks in rock history live again – former Dire Straits members Alan Clark, Chris White and Phil Palmer formed The Straits in 2011 for a charity show at the Royal Albert Hall. With the prolific Mark Knopfler pursuing an incredibly successful solo career, Alan Clark asked singer-songwriter Terence Reis to lead the band in his absence. When The Straits disbanded three and a half years later, the band had played more than 150 concerts in 25 countries around the world.
An invitation to play a series of concerts in New Zealand and Australia has prompted Chris White and Terence Reis to work together again for the Dire Straits Experience. They are joined by a high calibre band of some of the finest professional musicians the UK has to offer.
Together they have worked with an enviable list of rock greats including Mark Knopfler, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Sam Brown, Elton John, Joe Cocker, Nik Kershaw, George Michael, Jamiroquai, The Killers, The Waterboys, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Midge Ure, Albert Lee and Tom Jones.
Chris White
Chris White, who worked on film music with Mark Knopfler in the early 80s, accompanied Dire Straits on their record-breaking Brothers In Arms world tour in 1985. This included their appearance at Live Aid and later at Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday concert in 1988, after which he played on the final Dire Straits album On Every Street and was again part of the two-year world tour that spawned the live album and DVD On The Night. Having experienced the audience reaction to a Dire Straits live show at the height of the band’s popularity, he now speaks fondly of the fans:
“I’m truly amazed and, frankly, humbled by the reaction of the fans when we hear these songs again. Dire Straits have an incredibly loyal fan base. It’s been great to catch up with the people I last saw in 1992 and see that they still get so much out of this music. It’s also fantastic to make new friends among the many young people who are now discovering Mark and Dire Straits. So many people still want to see it live.”
*The organiser is responsible for the content and information about the event.
VISITOR INFORMATION
- 17.00 – Opening of the parking facilities
- 19.00 – General admission
- 20.00 – Start of the show
Main Entrance Messe Graz Hall A
The MCG is easy to reach by public transport.
The following lines stop nearby:
- Tram line 5: Jakominigürtel/tim
- Tram line 4 (13): Stadthalle, Fröhlichgasse/Messe
- Tram line 6: Moserhofgasse
- Bus route 66: Fröhlichgasse/Messe
Ostbahnhof is a long-distance and regional railway station and is a stop on the S-Bahn S31 and S3 lines. The MCG is approx. 350m away.
Adresse für Navigation: Messeplatz 1, 8010 Graz
Park conveniently and come directly to the event – we offer this service with the public underground car park in Fröhlichgasse, which can be reached via two entrances (Fröhlichgasse 20 and Fröhlichgasse 23). In addition, all public car parks in the surrounding area can be used.
Address for navigation: Fröhlichgasse 20, 8010 Graz
If you are travelling by car, we recommend taking the A2 and using the Graz Ost exit. From there, the remaining distance to the MCG is only 1.5 kilometres.
We always endeavour to ensure a quick and smooth entry. We therefore ask that you ONLY bring BAGS UP TO DIN A4 SIZE (30cm x 21cm x 20cm) and no large bags or rucksacks.
Umbrellas are not permitted on the grounds/in the hall and cannot be handed in at the cloakroom.
