Teaching electronic beats to the blue Wiggle’s brood has resulted in a regular stage spot for Woodford musician Oliver Brian.
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After leaving the south-west to study commerce more than 10 years ago, the 30 year-old chanced upon a musical gig that returned him to his hometown on Monday in a glittery new role.
Brian joined fellow members of children entertainment group The Wiggles for three sell-out sessions at Warrnambool’s Lighthouse Theatre on Monday.
The talented musician, who plays various instruments including guitars, banjo and a drum programmer, credits good timing with his latest career move.
“I was teaching Anthony (Field)’s kids the drums in Sydney and I was introducing them to electronic sounds,” he said.
“The Wiggles were working on a disco album at the time and wanted to introduce some electronic beats.
“They called me in and the rest is history.”
The former Brauer College student has been touring with the entertainers for two years now after working for a year in the production team.
His musical career that began aged six, has included a role in south-west bands The Axis and The Highwater Ballroom Band.
“We used to perform at the Seanchai on the weekends,” he said. “And we were lucky enough to win the Mortlake Buskers Festival one year.”
Brian was teaching guitar to students at several Warrnambool schools during his gap year in 1999 before he left the region to study commerce at Deakin University in Geelong.
As his career choice changed, so too did the city’s arts infrastructure, the music man said.
“It’s all changed since I remember being here,” he said. “I left Warrnambool when I was 19, I’m 30 now.
“We used to do shows in the band pit down here before it became this great venue.”
The Wiggles’ three 55-minute performances on Monday were part of their Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle Tour.
Lighthouse Theatre manager Amanda Kenneally said the group’s popularity continued to flourish.
“The Wiggles are one of our most popular acts,” she said. “The first two shows sold out in under an hour and a third show was then announced which sold out by noon the next day.”
