Iconic Australian music group will wiggle its way to the Macon stage

Long before “Bluey” lit up screens across the globe, another Australian kids’ show, “The Wiggles,” raised an entire generation of youngsters on DVD and VHS.
The colorful — and for many, nostalgic — real-life musical group behind the hit TV show is set to perform at the Macon City Auditorium Aug. 15 as part of its Tree of Wisdom Spectacular Tour.

Members of the original Wiggles lineup initially performed in the ’80s rock band The Cockroaches, but pursuing careers in early childhood education inspired them to pivot to children’s music in 1991.

The music group — and its TV show, which first aired in 1998 and quickly became a popular kids program — used song and dance to teach preschoolers basic developmental skills.

Hit songs such as “Fruit Salad” and “Hot Potato,” wiggled their way into the hearts of young audiences all over the world. More than three decades later, the iconic group has garnered more than 4 billion music streams and 30 million album and DVD sales.

“It’s a massive part of Aussie culture,” said Tsehay Hawkins, better known as the Yellow Wiggle.

This will be her first time in Macon. Though unaware of Macon’s musical history as the home of Little Richard, Otis Redding and The Allman Brothers Band, Hawkins said it has “added more excitement to going.”

Many of the original members have since retired, but The Wiggles have continued to adapt to new audiences and maintain appeal with newer generations.

Hawkins joined the group in 2021. She was the youngest member, and also became the second woman and the first person of African descent to join the Wiggles.

“I get to see a lot on this job, so it’s really cool that we get to go to these different places,” said Hawkins, who performed in Atlanta last year.

Before becoming the Yellow Wiggle, the young entertainer and world champion Latin dancer began as a backup dancer for The Wiggles. A choreographer had discovered her dance videos online. 

Hawkins noted that The Wiggles have garnered different audiences while also expanding into other genres like hip-hop.

Growing up in Australia, she said she didn’t see many people of color on TV. She’s happy that she can inspire young girls to feel “comfortable to be themselves.”

“It’s just pretty cool that I get to be that role model for this next generation and show that Black girls, they have magic and power, too,” she said. 

As a little girl, Hawkins grew up listening to The Wiggles. She described working alongside original member Anthony Field (the Blue Wiggle) as a “full circle moment.”

“I also never thought I’d have this as a job opportunity,” she said “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Purchase tickets at maconcentreplex.org.