Jimmy Barnes to bring spoken word tour Working Class Boy to NZ

Jimmy Barnes will swap his trademark howl for his own raw voice for his first spoken word tour inspired by his memoir Working Class Boy, heading to New Zealand next February.

The book, whch was released yesterday, reveals his harrowing childhood and the scars which remain from domestic violence and addiction.

Working Class Boy: An Evening Of Stories and Songs will take him away from his home on the rock stage for the past four decades and into theatres with a unique production which blends the never-told stories of his childhood in Glasgow and then Adelaide.

Jimmy Barnes will bring his spoken word tour to New Zealand in February. Photo / Stephanie Barnes

"Just like the book, this live show will tell the story of an imperfect childhood that has led to me becoming an imperfect adult," Barnes said.

"I spent most of my life running from my childhood and now it seems like my time to face it. So this is the story of a lifetime spent running away. Running from fear. Running from shame but at the same time running from hope. I'm not running anymore."

The intimate soundtrack for the show will draw from his early musical career.

The tour will see him visit nine New Zealand towns, beginning in Invercargill on February 6 and ending in Auckland on February 18.

Tickets go on sale Monday, October 3 at midday.

Tour dates:

Mon 6 Feb: Civic Theatre, Invercargill
Tue 7 Feb: Regent Theatre, Dunedin
Wed 8 Feb: Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
Sat 11 Feb: St James Theatre, Wellington
Sun 12 Feb: Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier
Tue 14 Feb: TSB Showplace, New Plymouth
Thu 16 Feb: ASB Baypark Arena, Tauranga
Fri 17 Feb : Claudelands Arena, Hamilton
Sat 18 Feb: Civic Theatre, Auckland