Led by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Iva Davies, the band has taken to stages across Australia and New Zealand dozens of times over the past 12 months to celebrate 40 years as a live act. 

Rather than fading to obscurity, the Australian new wave pioneers have been playing to a swelling fan base, with three sold out Melbourne gigs planned for the coming fortnight. 

The act’s most recent visit to Ballarat saw them play the intimate setting of The Regent Theatre, however it will be far more grand affair when they take on Lake Wendouree later this month.

Responsible for tracks which have gone onto become anthems such as Great Southern Land and Electric Blue, Davies said he was relishing the chance to play an outdoor event in Ballarat.  Almost 40 years on from the release of Icehouse under the-then title of Flowers, Davies said he never anticipated to be still playing music for a living.

“I was a real skeptic for a long time and really regarded it as a hobby I guess until the first album sold the way it did,” Davies said.  “Really even at that point I doubted whether it would last that long, and I remember having those conversations with our management and saying I’ve really got to make the most of these early royalty cheques because there’s not going to be any more of them.” 

From the early days working the pub scene Icehouse has gone on to develop a unique sound blending rock roots with an evolving elements of new wave music. 

The pristine development of records such as Primitive Man and Man of Colours became a signature for the band at the height of their powers.  Davies said an ongoing attraction to the live performance was the way in which the current incarnation of Icehouse reinterpreted the tracks.  

“People might be familiar with the songs and the recordings, a lot of which are very clinical,” Davies said.  “A different thing happens when the band plays.”

Icehouse play Lakeside Twilights alongside Diesel, Taxiride at Fairyland Reserve on Saturday November 18.