Delta Goodrem Talks Touring With Backstreet Boys, Her Cover Of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” & More

Australian singer-songwriter Delta Goodrem reveals how “fate” brought her to America as the direct support act on the Backstreet Boys: DNA World Tour.

Just a few weeks before her stint on this tour comes to an end, Goodrem caught up with Music Mayhem to share how she went from fan to tour-mate, the importance of philanthropy in her life and spending nearly a decade as a judge/mentor on The Voice Australia. 

In 2021, the Sony artist earned her fifth No. 1 album with the release of her latest project, Bridge Over Troubled Dreams, which was also the title of her headlining tour and first book. This success comes 18 years after her first record, Innocent Eyes, was named one of the highest-selling debut albums in Australian history.

“I think because I produced it and wrote it and every single tiny little thing, like hearing the pedal move in the music, this album specifically, I just wanted to get back to basics and be at my piano, be a storyteller and write about experiences that bring hope,” she shared. “I had a book that came with it and it was about just really getting deep and also being very literal in the music. I’m very proud of it and have loved seeing people take it home.”

The opportunity to come to America for the DNA World Tour was a “natural progression” for Goodrem as she had just finished up her Australian arena tour before heading back on the road.

“Finally, after we just came off our sold out gigs, we were like, ‘let’s take this show on the road.’ As fate would have it, there was an opening there and we were like, ‘let’s go, let’s take it.’ So all the Australians came with me,” she told Music Mayhem.

Delta Goodrem Admits She’s “Really Grateful” To Be Touring With The Backstreet Boys

Opening for the Backstreet Boys has been nothing short of a good time for the award-winning powerhouse. She has used this experience to introduce her music to new fans and reconnect with those who have been following along since the start of her successful career.

“It’s been so much fun. What an absolute fantastic tour to be a part of because people wanna come to the show and they want to have a euphoric moment of songs they’ve known throughout their life and sing at the top of their voice. So when I come on earlier, I’m like, let’s get the party started.”

Goodrem and her band had the challenge of narrowing down their two and a half hour set to just 30 minutes, but the stress of making those difficult decisions has all been worth it in the end. 

“All of us going, ‘wait, I want this song, I want this song,’ but we have had an absolute ball getting to cross America, get to see people I haven’t seen throughout the course of having music out for a long time. It’s just been wonderful.”

She added, “It’s a huge difference, obviously, from Australia to here, but that’s what I love about it.”

 

Getting to know the members of the Backstreet Boys has been “incredibly positive,” according to Goodrem. Together, they have supported each other, shared many “wonderful conversations,” and even discussed where they should go when they visit Australia. 

“I’m really, really grateful to be able to be amongst that music,” Goodrem said reminiscing on all the times she watched and sang along with the band’s nostalgic show from the different venues. 

Delta’s Cover Of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” Is Epic Live

One song in particular that has been added into her set on tour is her cover of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.” Goodrem has been a coach on The Voice Australia for nine years and decided to perform this soaring track with her artist as their finale song. Since performing it on the singing competition show in 2020 with contestant Stellar, the song has seen a resurgence in popularity due to its prominent role in the TV show, Stranger Things. 

“It’s been phenomenal, I’m very grateful,” she gushed before adding, “When we did it, it was such a special version.”

Being on The Voice since the beginning has taught the “Born to Try” singer so many life lessons both from the contestants and the coaches that work alongside her. 

“All my artists dreams come true and I think that hits me there every year ’cause I want everyone’s dreams to come true. You come on the stage and I’m like, ‘let’s make it happen.’”

She added, “I always pride of myself on that show as wanting them to have the very best experience they possibly can so that they walked away so proud of themselves. I always really worked hard at that for the show and for the artists and the people. I loved it. It’s a wonderful chapter of my life.”

Delta Goodrem Launched Her Own Foundation To Help People Through Their Cancer Journeys

Through everything she does in her life and her career, whether it’s guiding other artists or growing as an artist herself, Goodrem is motivated by passion. It’s the driving force that helps her overcome the obstacles that come her way, including her 2003 diagnosis with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, at just 18 years old.

This piece of her life has led her to launching her own charity, the Delta Goodrem Foundation, to help people through their cancer journeys. In 2022, she was named the first-ever Australian ambassador for global cosmetic company, Revlon and as part of their recently launched campaign, “Look good, feel better,” for every lipstick that people buy from Revlon this month, $2 is donated to Goodrem’s foundation.

“It’s phenomenal. They are the number one lipstick selling in Australia. And I’ll tell you what, I don’t know what I would do without my gigantic bag of Revlon that comes with me to do my hair and makeup on the show. Before I left, I was like, ‘okay, let’s be clear on this, I need a huge bag of makeup,” she said laughing. 

Goodrem’s time on the road with the Backstreet Boys will conclude on July 30 in St. Louis, MI.