As part of our chat with cover star – and C2C 2019 headliner – Keith Urban, we asked him a few quick fire questions about several different things.
2018 was a sensational year for you with ‘Graffiti U’ being released to critical acclaim and then winning Entertainer of the Year at the CMA Awards – how have you coped with all the adulation sent your way?
I mean, firstly that whole CMA moment was quite surreal – and as you can clearly see in the playback, I was completely stunned when Lionel Richie called my name. On the album front, the response from people all over has been way beyond what I could’ve hoped for…and now getting to come to the U.K and play live feels exhilarating.
It had been 13 years since you last won Entertainer of the Year and you joined an elite category of musicians who had won it twice – just how important is that award for you?
You know, all I ever had my sights set on was making my own music and hoping they’d play it on the radio and hoping people would wanna come to hear those songs live, but some shiny hardware given to ya feels bloody damn nice too! I love playing and touring. That fire and passion is just as strong in me now as it’s ever been.
It seemed likely that you’d have a release with Post Malone out in mid-January – what happened to that?
Post and I played together for an Elvis special marking the anniversary of his 1968 television show (aired on Feb 17). I first heard Post on his Stoney album and all I can say is that it spoke to me. I really wanted to do something with him and the Elvis thing was it.
We met for the first time that day, said hi, grabbed our guitars and started running the song right there on the set with the band. It was crazy how it clicked immediately. Post has such a musical depth – I knew that’s what was speaking to me right from the beginning. Country, hip-hop, R&B, soul…it’s all in there and so much more. I f****** love that dude.
You’ve only got a handful of tour dates after C2C before your 2019 is finished, what’re your plans for when you come off tour?
Ha, I got so many plates spinning in the air this year, I reckon I could get a gig with Cirqe De Soleil!
A full feature with Keith Urban is available in the latest issue of Maverick (March/April 2019)
