Sharing the Stage

Vashon’s Sharing the Stage kicks off its fourth season on Thursday, October 4, at the Red Bicycle with Zac Anthony and Kate Goldby of The Wellingtons and student openers.

The Wellingtons, from Melbourne, Australia, are one of the hardest working independent bands on the globe. In their eight years together they’ve wasted no time releasing four albums through labels in Japan, Spain, UK, USA, and Australia, touring extensively on the back of each album.

The group have had their upbeat, indie pop music featured in the hit U.S TV series, "How I Met Your Mother," as well as appearing in Japanese TV commercials and variety programs.

"This is a great band," said Fred Strong, one of the Sharing the Stage producers. "Just search YouTube for a couple of their hits—‘Come Undone’ and ‘Keep Me Holding On’—and you’ll see what a treat this show is going to be."

"Their music is infectiously joyful," Strong continued. "It’s upbeat, melodic, and fast-paced pop."

The concept behind Sharing the Stage has student bands opening for professional headliners. Student openers for this show include Skyler Ford, a recent VHS graduate; Cameron Sonju, who performed at last spring’s Blue Scholars show, and his band, "Castbound"; and "The Funions," featuring Peyton Levin, Duncan Ende, and Nick Barker.

Sharing the Stage is Fred Strong, Harris Levinson, and Rob Bordner. They’re happy to be working again with Pete Welch and The Red Bicycle for this show.

"The Wellingtons were on a world tour last year, and we tried to bring them to Seattle and Vashon at that point," Harris Levinson added. "We just couldn’t work it out then. But Zac Anthony contacted us and asked if they could come for a show in 2012, and now Vashon is the first stop on this year’s world tour!"

The four previous Sharing the Stage shows have featured Visqueen, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Thomas Marriott, and Blue Scholars, and a long list of student openers.

The Wellingtons show is October 4, 7:30-10:00 PM, The Red Bicycle, $5 students, $10 adults. www.facebook.com/thewellingtons