Experience one of the nation's finest guitarists on New Year's Eve at Cairns Esplanade, writes Jesse Kuch

As far as national touring artists go, there aren’t many artists that know Cairns better than Mark Lizotte, better known to most as Diesel.

The Australian guitar whiz is always careful to include Cairns on his itinerary when he hits the road, but surprisingly, it’s been quite a long time since the man hit town with his full band – his past few gigs in the Far North have been in solo mode.

Speaking to timeOUT this week ahead of his show headlining Cairns Regional Council’s Esplanade New Year’s Eve celebrations, Mark says he’s looking forward to heading back north with his band.

“I was up doing the solo thing in May and then after that, my record Under The Influence came out in June and I split overseas for a month,” he says.

“I haven’t stopped touring since I was last here, so this will be a nice  end to the year.”

Mark says this time round, because he’s not touring a particular album, he has the freedom to explore his whole back catalogue.

“I have a lot of records, so I like to rotate them a bit, get them all out there at some point.

“There is a certain amount of material that is always a good framework to do gigs – there are always certain songs that I need to put in.

“(Having so much material) makes it easier in some ways, harder in others.

“The hardest thing is to try and get it all in. It’s almost always the case that I play way longer than I’m supposed to, but I think I’ll be cut off by the fireworks in Cairns.”

Looking forward to next year, Mark says he’ll be back in the studio at some point, but will also have a few other projects to keep him busy in the meantime.

“I’ve just done the music for a TV series,” he says.

“I can’t say what it is yet, but it’s gonna be a great series and I think it’s almost tailor-made for the music I make.

“I think they are just wrapping shooting now and will start screening around March or April.”

As for a new album, Mark is considering his options.

“I don’t think I’ll put out another record in Australia in 2012. I put one out in 2011, I think I should leave it at least maybe 18 months.

“I have got this record that I’m keeping bottled up, but I have to be careful to not start competing with myself and put too much out.”

CAIRNS ESPLANADE NEW YEAR'S EVE INFORMATION //

The Esplanade is the place to be this New Year’s Eve, with a huge selection of free, family-oriented entertainment to see out the end of 2011.

Kicking off at 6pm, the fun begins with great kids’ entertainment from The Doyle’s Family Fun Show and Bree and The Bopstars, before some rocking tunes from band Vikarious, courtesy of the Cooked In Cairns program.

Drum Up Big will present a spectacular display of rhythm and power from 8.40pm, leading into the first of two massive fireworks extravaganzas at 9pm.

Eddie Skiba from local outfit In With Pando will then grace the stage from 9.15pm as the warm up for the main event, Diesel and his full band, from 10.30pm right through until the clock strikes midnight.

The night then finishes with the second massive fireworks display to bring in another great year in paradise.

>> Cairns regional council’s esplanade new year’s eve celebrations are on Saturday from 6pm. Free entry.

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