The Cruel Sea's Matt Walker Takes On Guitar Duties For Paul Kelly On Red Hot Summer Tour

“Halfway through the summer tour and Paul Kelly has done the classic and broken his middle finger kicking the footy around and is now off the tools,” The Cruel Sea wrote.

Paul Kelly, The Cruel Sea(Credit: Dean Podmore, Tom Wilkinson)

Paul Kelly

Paul Kelly has faced a significant blow while headlining this year’s Red Hot Summer Tour, breaking his finger and is currently unable to play the guitar.

Luckily, he’s on the road with numerous talented musicians, and one of them has picked up the mantle. Matt Walker of The Cruel Sea fame, also on the Red Hot Summer Tour bill, has stepped in for Kelly while he continues his six-week recovery.

The news was shared on Kelly and The Cruel Sea’s social media accounts this week (16 February). On Instagram, Kelly posted an image of a recent X-Ray and a video of Walker on stage with his band.

In the caption, Kelly revealed that he broke his finger “a few weeks ago,” but initially, he believed it was just a sprain and continued playing. However, following an X-Ray, he realised that wasn’t the case.

“Paul broke his finger a few weeks ago,” the post reads. “He thought it was just a sprain so kept on playing. X-Ray finally set him straight, or at least the brace will. No guitar playing for six weeks. Luckily we have @mattwalker.official to take his guitar parts!”

The Cruel Sea added, “Half way through the summer tour and Paul Kelly has done the classic and broken his middle finger kicking the footy around and is now off the tools.

“Our amazing Matt Walker has stepped in so beautifully, like a personal Jesus setting Paul free to run with the wind. The band has rallied and lifted and PK’s joy of his new freedom is making the show a rare and wonderful thing.”

In September, the Red Hot Summer Tour team announced a landmark all-Australian line-up of rock, indie, and country legends. In addition to headliner Paul Kelly, the tour features legends such as Missy Higgins, The Cruel Sea, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers, and Jess Hitchcock.

Kelly said of his return to the Red Hot Summer Tour circuit, “The band and I have many great memories from our last Red Hot Summer tour. We’re looking forward to making some new ones!”

The tour began in the New South Wales town of Batemans Bay last month and continues with tour dates into May. Head here to find everything you need to know about this year’s Red Hot Summer Tour.