It's been a long time since Delta Goodrem donned a pair of high-tops on a Wollongong basketball court, but she may just wear them again on her upcoming tour.
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The Voice judge - and basketball fan - has played the game since she was in school. Visiting the coastal city reminds her of "growing up".
During an interview with the Mercury, the star didn't dismiss wearing sneakers during her next journey south, which happens to be at The Hawks home ground on April 15, 2021.
The polished court will be packed away, however, with thousands of seats and a stage in its place - for her Bridge Over Troubled Dreams national tour.
Goodrem's new album should be released by then, but she admitted the timing of the tour initially looked different but a global pandemic shook things up.
Instead, she chose a time when all of her fans "could be together".
"I believe you have to have things to look forward to," the Wings singer said.
"When it came to people who were part of my music and who I connected to as well, I was like 'we're going to be together now and we'll be together then and we're going to be healing together through song'."
Despite being one of Australia's biggest music artists with a successful 17-year career and 17 top 10 hits, COVID-19 impacted the star just as it has many others.
"When it first happened I went into shock ... I couldn't stop watching the news and needed to let myself feel the gravity of what was happening," Goodrem said.
"I was just trying to process was happening in the world."
The arts and entertainment sector has been one of the hardest hit in Australia, and around the world. In NSW alone is supports around 118,000 jobs and contributes $16.4 billion directly and indirectly to the state's economy, according to the Minister for Arts Don Harwin.
But what are artists to do when they are forbidden a live audience? You "fumble through technology" according to Goodrem.
"I thought maybe I should start baking or learn a language or clean every single cupboard in my house," she said.
"I went through all those things ... but then what lead me back is I went back to music.
"I realised the only way I could help anybody or do anything or send some love into the world was start these live bunker down sessions.
"For me it was like something to look forward to and have a schedule ... and try to connect with people in a different space and a different world."
During the nation's lockdown the singer performed live through her social media platforms, taking requests from her extensive catalogue - and a few new tunes too.
Tickets are on sale now for Delta Goodrem's national tour which will also stop in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Townsville, Newcastle and Melbourne.
For tickets to the Wollongong show, visit www.ticketmaster.com.au
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