Daryl Braithwaite To Open Cricket World Cup At Myer Music Bowl

Renowned Australian pop-rock performer Daryl Braithwaite is set to help open the impending ICC Cricket World Cup with a performance at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl alongside the likes of Jessica Mauboy, Tina Arena and more.

The veteran singer-songwriter will take to the venerated venue's stage on Thursday, 12 February, to help get the revelry under way with a performance of "two or three" songs, he tells theMusic.com.au — including a rendition of the almost inescapably appropriate 1976 Sherbet hit Howzat.

Under the musical direction of respected identity Chong Lim, Braithwaite says he will be backed by a symphonic band with members sourced from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, a change of pace that audibly excites the experienced crooner.

"Singing with an orchestra is great for a change, instead of guitars and drums and all that," he enthused down the phone of his upcoming appearance.

"I'm only doing three songs — two or three — and I think Jessica Mauboy's on it, Tina Arena … I think there are about three or four people singing, different songs, obviously, and I believe it is going to air on TV, on Channel Nine, and I think they want to incorporate Howzat, the song — you know, from the Sherbet period.

"I play it live with my band anyway, and it's probably a song that they can hang their hat on, as far as the association with cricket, even though it's basically a love story."

Admitting that he maintains a "healthy interest" in the sport that captivates the nation every summer, Braithwaite is nonetheless audibly excited to be returning to the Myer Music Bowl

"I think the main thing is that it will be at the Myer Music Bowl, which I have played once or twice over the last three or four decades, and it's a great venue to play in ... it's just a nice setting in there, you know, for playing music," he said.

"I really don't know where they've got me situated, like whether I'll be at the start, in the middle or somewhere else — I know I'll be doing maybe two or three songs and one of those songs will be Howzat."

Exact airtime details for the Cricket World Cup opening event at Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, are not yet available, but you can head to the ICC website to suss tickets to all the events on offer. Keep your eyes peeled for a full rundown on welcoming entertainment in the near future.