British India visit with farewell tour

Aussie rock band British India are returning to the South West next month as part of their national Nic the Poet Farewell tour.

The group formed back in 2004 when members Declan Melia, Will Drummond, Nic Wilson and Matt O'Gorman were all studying at St Bede’s College in Melbourne.

Fast forward 14 years and the group has notched up eight entries into the Hottest 100, released six albums, played at every major festival in Australia, headlined more than 700 shows and supported international music icons like the Rolling Stones.

Lead guitarist Nic Wilson will be leaving the band and retiring from the music industry at the end of 2018, saying there are other things in life he wants to try to broaden his horizons.

“British India is something we started as snotty nosed high school kids, that became something much bigger and more important to people than we could have ever expected,” he said.

“But time moves on and I have other things I want to try my hand at and I am ready to see what else I can do.”

While this will in some ways be the end of an era with the tour being the last chance to see the original British India line up on stage, Wilson’s fellow band members are nothing but happy for their best mate and guitarist.

“We kind of knew it was coming, but the best thing about it is there’s no hard feelings,” drummer Matt O’Gorman said.

“Everybody is really happy for him and it’s really the best way for a member to leave.

“We’re four best friends, we always will be, and we’re happy and excited for him.”

The farewell tour will play over 24 dates at 24 different venues around the country, coming to the Settlers Tavern in Margaret River on November 9 and the Prince of Wales Hotel in Bunbury on the 17th.

“Nic was the first to say ‘how about we do one more tour, with a few more venues and announce that I’m leaving,” O’Gorman said.

Fans can expect bits of everything from old tunes off the first album to the latest hits, as well as songs that didn’t quite make the cut for the albums.

“We love WA and we’re really excited about doing this last tour – we just want everyone to come down and give Nic a royal farewell.”