Long Way to the Top

The queen of 80s pop is back — and this is one of the most revealing interviews Kim Wilde has done in years.

In this special episode of Long Way to the Top, Shayne Brian sits down with global pop icon Kim Wilde ahead of her 2026 Australian Closer Tour for an in-depth conversation about fame, reinvention, music, creativity, and surviving one of the most defining decades in pop culture history.

From the explosive success of Kids In America to massive worldwide hits like You Keep Me Hangin’ On, Cambodia, You Came, View From A Bridge, Chequered Love and If I Can’t Have You, Kim opens up about the songs that shaped a generation — and the moments behind them that fans rarely hear about.

Image used for the podcast tile courtesy of Expressions 1977
Check them out here - https://www.instagram.com/expressions1977/

This is not your typical rock interview.

Shayne dives deep into:

• The real story behind Kids In America
• Growing up in a famous musical family
• The pressures of being one of the biggest female stars of the 1980s
• The darker emotional themes hidden inside her music
• Why Cambodia still resonates decades later
• Stepping away from fame and reinventing herself
• Winning a Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show
• The changing music industry
• Legacy, identity, creativity and longevity

Plus Kim reflects on:

• Touring Australia through the decades
• What it feels like performing these songs today
• The enduring power of 80s music culture
• And the surprising song she never gets tired of singing live

And of course… Shayne finishes the interview with his legendary Fast Five Questions.

If you love:

• Classic rock podcasts
• 80s pop culture
• New wave music
• Deep dive artist interviews
• Stories behind iconic songs
• Music documentaries and nostalgia
  then this episode is essential listening.

🎟️ KIM WILDE – CLOSER TOUR 2026 AUSTRALIA

• Wednesday 18 November – Perth – Astor Theatre
• Friday 20 November – Brisbane – The Tivoli
• Saturday 21 November – Melbourne – Palais Theatre
• Sunday 22 November – Geelong – Costa Hall
• Tuesday 24 November – Adelaide – The Gov
• Friday 27 November – Newcastle – Civic Theatre
• Saturday 28 November – Sydney – Enmore Theatre
• Sunday 29 November – Canberra – Canberra Theatre

Tickets and tour information:
David Roy Williams Tours
Metropolis Touring

🎧 Listen now to Long Way to the Top with Shayne Brian on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and all major podcast platforms.

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In this episode of Long Way to the Top, host Shayne Brian sits down with legendary New Zealand singer-songwriter Tim Finn for a deep dive into one of the most influential careers in Australasian rock history.

From the art-school origins and global breakthrough of Split Enz, to his pivotal role in Crowded House, and a celebrated solo career including the iconic Escapade album, Tim Finn shares the stories behind the songs that defined generations.

With the highly anticipated Split Enz reunion tour and his upcoming A Finn Night Out shows, this interview explores the full spectrum of Finn’s journey — including his early creative influences, the pressures of success, the dynamics of working with brother Neil Finn, and the evolution of his songwriting across decades.

Expect rare insights into classic tracks like I Hope I Never, Fraction Too Much Friction, and Dirty Creature, along with candid reflections on artistic risk, reinvention, and the legacy of one of the region’s most enduring musical figures.

Long Way to the Top is known for uncovering the real stories behind the music — the struggles, the breakthroughs, and the defining moments that shape legendary careers.

🎙️ If you’re a fan of classic rock, Australian and New Zealand music history, or long-form artist interviews, this is essential listening.

To see Tim Finn on his Finn Night Out Tour

Saturday, July 4th
Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul NSW

Saturday, August 29th
Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW

Get tickets here - https://www.empiretouring.com.au/

And for Split Enz In Concert visit - 

https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=UMBFIJUD26

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What happens when legendary musicians from Procol Harum, Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams and Simple Minds come together to form a brand new band?

Welcome to Blue Water Giants — a true rock supergroup made up of some of the most respected players in music.

In this exclusive episode of Long Way to the Top, Shayne Brian sits down with:

• Josh Phillips (Procol Harum)
• Neil Taylor (Tears for Fears, Robbie Williams)
• Mel Gaynor (Simple Minds, Robert Palmer)

Together, they’ve performed with icons like Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart and The Who — and now they’re creating brand new music as Blue Water Giants.

🎧 Presave their brand new single Dangerously In Love dropping at the end of April here:
👉 https://slinky.to/DangerouslyInLove

This conversation also comes via a special connection through Ian Grant and the Think Loud for Parkinson’s Project, shining a light on both the music and the mission behind the scenes.

🎤 In this interview, we dive into:

• The formation of Blue Water Giants
• Their brand new songs and musical direction
• Behind-the-scenes stories from their legendary careers
• Life inside bands like Procol Harum and Simple Minds
• Touring with global superstars like Robbie Williams and Robert Palmer
• The difference between session work and being in a band
• What it takes to stay relevant in rock music today

Plus — Shayne’s Quick Fire Round brings out some unexpected (and hilarious) moments from the band.

This is not just another interview — this is a deep dive into the musicians behind the music, their legacy, and what happens when decades of experience collide to create something new.

If you love classic rock, rock supergroups, music history, and behind-the-scenes artist stories, this is a must-watch.

Follow Blue Water Giants on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bluewatergiants/

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 #BlueWaterGiants #DangerouslyInLove #ClassicRock #LongWayToTheTop #RockInterview #MusicPodcast #ProcolHarum #SimpleMinds #TearsForFears #RobertPalmer #RockLegends #ThinkLoudForParkinsons

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INXS sold over 75 million records worldwide, boasting an impressive catalogue of hits that include ten Australian Top 10 singles and seven US Top 10 singles. The band’s accolades include three Grammy nominations, a BRIT Award for Best International Group, five MTV Music Awards, and seven ARIA Awards, with induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2001. This year INXS is nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

But behind the stadium tours, the global hits, and the unmistakable sound was a songwriter..a composer...a producer...a musical architect.

Today, we’re stepping beyond the arena lights and into the next chapter. A chapter of country music, Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry plus a new single called Mending Fences

This is Andrew Farriss – Beyond INXS.

To buy/listen to Andrew Farriss's new single visit https://andrewfarriss.com/music/

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As the frontman of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Lloyd burst onto the scene in the mid-80s with a sound that blended jangly guitar pop with deeply intelligent, often cinematic lyricism. Songs like Rattlesnakes, Perfect Skin, and Lost Weekend didn’t just stand out on radio… they painted pictures. They made you lean in. They made you think.

But Lloyd Cole was never interested in standing still.

From Glasgow to New York, from band life to a fiercely independent solo career, he’s continued to evolve, releasing music on his own terms, exploring everything from stripped-back acoustic records to more experimental, electronic textures.

Now, he’s heading back to Australia, bringing that incredible catalogue with him, along with the stories, the perspective, and the songs that have stood the test of time.

Enjoy Long Way to the Top with Lloyd Cole. 

For all the concert details visit - https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/lloydcole

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