Life Is Fine when you’re at #1: Paul Kelly finally has an ARIA #1 Album, announces massive national tour

Australian artist Paul Kelly has delivered his first ever #1 album after his 23rd effort Life Is Fine made it to the top of the ARIA Albums Chart over the weekend.

It’s a special milestone for the 62-year-old, who has now achieved everything Under The Sun in Australian music. Kelly has registered multi-Platinum sales on three albums, 10x ARIA Awards, not mention an ARIA Hall Of Fame induction in 1997, all before gaining a #1 album in the country.

His trademark bluegrass mixed with folk-rock on Life Is Fine has struck a chord with local audiences, taking over Songs From The South which hit #2 in June 1997 as Kelly’s highest-charting album. His most successful studio album, ... Nothing But A Dream, peaked at #7 on the chart four years later.

Kelly joins a handful of Australian artists to debut in the Top 10 on the Albums Chart so far this year, including The Smith Street Band, Meg Mac, Tina Arena and Vera Blue.

Jen Cloher is now on that list too, with her acclaimed self-titled album debuting at #5 on the chart as well.

Coinciding with the achievement, Kelly has today announced a 16-date Australia and New Zealand tour in November and December.

Kelly will be joined by a premium line-up of special guests, with alt-country icon Steve Earle and up-and-comers Middle Kids supporting for the Brisbane to Perth leg of the tour, Busby Marou supporting in Darwin, Cairns, Townsville and on the New Zealand leg of the tour, The Eastern supporting for all New Zealand shows and Sahara Beck as the warm up in Rockhampton. 

Here’s the full list of dates:

Sat 4 Nov | Entertainment Centre, Darwin, NT (All Ages)
 
Tue 7 Nov | Convention Centre Great Hall, Cairns, QLD (All Ages)
 
Wed 8 Nov | Entertainment Centre, Townsville, QLD (All Ages)
 
Thu 9 Nov | Great Western Hotel, Rockhampton, QLD (All Ages)
 
Sat 11 Nov | Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD (All Ages)
 
Sun 12 Nov | Regional Botanic Gardens, Coffs Harbour, NSW (All Ages)         

 
Wed 15 Nov | Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, NSW (All Ages)
 
Fri 17 Nov | Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, VIC (All Ages)
 
Sat 18 Nov | MONA Mainstage & Lawns, Hobart, TAS (All Ages)
 
Sun 19 Nov | Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney, NSW (All Ages)
 
Wed 22 Nov | Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide, SA (All Ages)
 
Sat 25 Nov | Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, Perth, WA (All Ages)
 
Wed 29 Nov | Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch, NZ (All Ages)
 
Thu 30 Nov | Wellington Opera House, Wellington, NZ (All Ages)
 
Fri 1 Dec | Civic Theatre, Auckland, NZ (All Ages)