Foxtel Announces Premiere Date For RocKwiz

A few months ago, it was reported that RocKwiz would return to Australian television screens via Foxtel's FOX8 channel.

As Foxtel announced yesterday, the beloved musical quiz show will return to TV on Friday, 24 February, after its original run ended in 2016.

Host Julia Zemiro, adjudicator and co-creator Brian Nankervis, and trusted roadie Dugald McAndrew return on a fresh set with a new-look RocKwiz Orchestra. 

Foxtel notes "a stellar line-up of new and established musical guests including Jimmy Barnes, Vance Joy, Tina Arena, Ben Lee, Dan Sultan, Sam Cromack, Allen Stone, Meg Washington, Chris Cheney, Ella Hooper, Meg Mac, WILSN, Isabella Manfredi, Gretta Ray, Fanny Lumsden and Thndo (via Mumbrella).

Co-creator and series producer Ken Connor commented, “We are thrilled to be back on the television, entertaining RocKwiz fans new and old. As always, our talented, musical guests will be a mixture of headline acts and emerging artists.” While co-creator and series producer Peter Bain-Hogg added, “It’s such a joy to bring RocKwiz back so we can give the artists we love a chance to perform their songs and a duet they have chosen live in front of a studio audience.” 

The RocKwiz Orchestra will keep the fixtures of Peter Luscombe from The Black Sorrows as Musical Director and drummer, Clio Renner (keyboards, vocals), Bill McDonald (bass guitar), and introduces indie rock artist Olympia to the lineup on lead guitar and backing vocals.

Marshall Heald, the Executive Director Of Entertainment at Foxtel Group, shared in October, "RocKwiz offers a clever combination of music trivia, comedy and live music that is inherent to its broad and long-lasting appeal. We are thrilled to be working with the team at Renegade to bring this beloved format back to Australian screens."

Zemiro called RocKwiz "the little train that could," saying further, "This is an original Australian idea, the little train that could, and it's coming back for a reboot. I know there are a lot of other rebooty things that exist – maybe we're the new Heartbreak High. We all look at each other and know we wouldn't keep doing it if we weren't making a quality product."

RocKwiz fans love the series for its "no frills" style and live music. "It's one of the few times that a musician can be on TV, get their face out there, and you can get to know them. They remind people they're around, and we get them to do one of their own songs and then a duet which will surprise you, and that's always the real cherry on the cake for me," Zemiro said.

Nankervis also shared his excitement for the musical talent returning to television and said, "We're delighted to be making brand new episodes of RocKwiz because we miss the excitement, the challenge and the sheer joy of recording new episodes. We've spent the last six years touring our live show, and we've maintained and sharpened our skills, developed as performers and discovered fresh musical talent that we can't wait to bring to our viewers.

"As always, our musical guests will be a wonderful mixture of household names and exciting up-and-coming artists, and our contestants will demonstrate staggering levels of knowledge."

Check out The Music's favourite collaborations from the original run of RocKwiz.