LEARNING the words to Moonshadow when he was a young child could have been a premonition of what was to come for the young Darren Coggan.
While living in rural Australia, Darren first became aware of Moonshadow by Cat Stevens as this was the first song he ever learnt to play on a guitar.
Unbeknown to him, in 2010, he would become the star of Peace Train: The Cat Stevens Story which is an internationally acclaimed hit.
Now Peace Train – The Cat Stevens Story is to receive its UK premiere in a nationwide tour.
And it will be coming to Somerset on Saturday, September 9, at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil.
In an evening of musical storytelling featuring a full live band, audiences will be treated to a full concert of Cat Stevens’ hits, revealing the man in the music and the real stories behind the classic songs.
Starring award-winning Australian musician Darren Coggan, Peace Train – The Cat Stevens Story will take audiences on the same journey of discovery and enlightenment travelled by Cat himself.
Peace Train – The Cat Stevens Story began in 2010 for a sold-out concert at The Sydney Opera House, and was followed by national tours throughout 2012, 2013 & 2014, playing every major theatre in Australia.
Talking about the show, Darren said: “It is not an impersonation.
"I do not pretend to be Cat Stevens, as I introduce myself as Darren. What I do have is a singing voice which sounds very similar to Cat Stevens. We are not a musical or some terrible tribute show.
"We try and elevate our show away from the stereo typical and take our audience on a journey of self discovery.
“It tries to answer the question of why Cat Stevens gave up what he was doing and became (changing his name) to Yusuf Islam.
"We try and find out why at the height of his fame he walked away from pop music. The show contains 25 songs and we hope people walk away with a great insight into Yusuf.
“It is a very positive show and I love doing it as the songs which I sing seem as relevant as they were 40 years ago.
“There are songs about tolerance and peace and understanding such as a song like Where did the children play?
As I am a father myself, a song like Matthew and Son, takes on a whole new meaning for me and tells me every minute counts.
"I think people will hear a song and think WOW I did not know Cat Stevens did that song.”
Cat Stevens as he was in the 1960s and 1970s was considered to be one of the most important artists in the history of music.
He began his musical career in the 60s and went on to sell more over 60 million albums worldwide.
In Peace Train – The Cat Stevens Story, audiences can relive 23 hits from the seldom-seen icon, such as: Remember The Days Of The Old School, Lady D’Arbanville, Sad Lisa and Peace Train.
Tracing the path of a man who never stopped wondering about how to make the world a better place is Darren Coggan.
One of Australia’s most exciting young artists, Coggan and his band’s performances in Peace Train – The Cat Stevens Story have met with critical acclaim in Australia.
Darren Coggan’s is one of Australia’s most successful country music recording artists.
In January 2001, Darren was awarded his first Golden Guitar at the Toyota Country Music Awards of Australia.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Darren was awarded the Centenary Medal for ‘Services to Australian Society’ in 2003.
This same year, he released his second album, Balancing Act, for which he was awarded Australian Independent Male Vocalist of the Year. 2008 saw Darren release his fourth album, War Stories, a moving salute to the ANZACS for which he was awarded his second Golden Guitar.
In 2016 Darren was awarded ‘Male Artist of the Year’ at the Australian Celtic Music Awards, and in 2017 Darren will release his long awaited new album ‘The Wide Horizon’.
Speaking about what music means to him, Darren said: “It is my life, it is my oxygen. It plays a huge part in my life and it makes me who I am.
Tickets for Peace Train The Cat Stevens Story cost £26 - £33. Buy online at octagon-theatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01935 422884.
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