Richard Clapton | MEMO Music Hall

**Richard Clapton: Still Singing, Still Surviving**

Half a century after first hitting the airwaves, Richard Clapton remains one of Australia’s most essential voices. From the era-defining *Girls on the Avenue* to anthems like *Capricorn Dancer* and *Deep Water*, Clapton has long mastered the art of turning raw emotion and political edge into melodic, radio-ready rock. A peer to the likes of Jackson Browne and Springsteen, he paved the way for generations of Aussie songwriters to speak their truth — and sound unmistakably local while doing it.

In 2025, Clapton proved he’s far from finished. He returned to Sydney’s State Theatre in September for his 16th sold-out show there — *The Best Years of Our Lives* — a career-spanning performance that reaffirmed his status as a national treasure. He followed it with a packed show at Anita’s Theatre in Thirroul alongside Steve Balbi, showing regional fans he’s still committed to bringing the music to them, not just the big-city crowds.

Now gearing up for the release of *Music Is Love (1966–1970)* in early 2026 — his first-ever covers album — Clapton pays homage to the hippie-era greats: Dylan, The Byrds, CSNY, The Band and more. It’s a deeply personal project that channels the protest, hope and soul of a defining era, reframed through the lens of one of Australia’s most enduring singer-songwriters. For Clapton, survival has always been more than a lyric — it’s a way of life. And he’s not done yet.

You may also like the following events from Memo Music Hall:

• Next Saturday, 25th October, 09:00 am, SnarskiCircusLindyBand and Friends Album Launch | MEMO Music Hall in Melbourne
• This month, 30th October, 09:30 am, The Faraway Three | The Ember Lounge in Melbourne
• This month, 31st October, 09:00 am, The Rocky Horror Picture Show Sound Track LIVE | MEMO Music Hall in Melbourne

Also check out other Arts events in Melbourne, Music events in Melbourne, Theatre events in Melbourne.