14 Amazing International Tours You Can’t Afford To Miss

There’s a reason they call us the lucky country and it might have something to do with the incredible amount of gigs coming reaching our shores over 2014/15, with festivals including The Falls, Meredith, and Golden Plains bringing a ridiculous raft of awesome artists Down Under in the coming months.

From stoner-rock legends to original DIY indie rock outfits of the ’70s, to the most exciting hiphop artists, Scandinavian folk-pop charmers and post-punk purists, the warmer months in Australia are set to see some unforgettable live music experiences.

The Clean National Tour 2015

Sometimes, okay, a lot of the time, the most important figures in music can be overlooked. This sentiment couldn’t be more true for the innovative, original kings of cool that are The Clean.

Hailing from New Zealand, these guys pioneered the whole DIY movement and spawned the might Flying Nun Records of Dunedid. Their sound can be heard in the distortion of Dinosaur Jr., the out of tune fuzz-outs of Sonic Youth and the carefree “so what” attitude that oozes from every Pavement record.

This will be the band’s first tour of Australia in five years but more importantly, their first show in Perth for 35 years. Cancel any plans you have for late January of 2015, because this is a band any indie rock purist cannot afford to miss.

Tuesday 20 January – Sydney Festival, Sydney
More details at sydneyfestival.org.au

Thursday 22 January – The Corner, Melbourne
With Lower Plenty + special guest
Tickets on sale 9am Friday 24 October from cornerhotel.com

Friday 23 January – The Rosemount – Perth
With Doctopus + Hamjam
Tickets on sale 9am Friday 24 October from oztix.com.au

Sunday 25 January – The Brightside, Brisbane

Ariel Pink Sugar Mountain Sideshows 2015

Some may know him as Ariel Rosenberg, others the “saggy Kurt Cobain”, he now recognises himself as “the most hated man in indie rock”, whatever moniker you give to Ariel Pink doesn’t matter – the point is, the endearing psych-pop musician has announced sideshows to accompany his Sugar Mountain performance in Melbourne.

The ‘Black Ballerina’ singer is bringing his Haunted Graffiti and a swag of new tunes to charm Aussie hearts all over again, and we are super stoked.

SATURDAY 24 JANUARY 
SUGAR MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
VCA, Melbourne, VIC
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

SUNDAY 25 JANUARY
The Brightside, Brisbane, QLD
TICKETS + SUPPORT TBA SOON

TUESDAY 27 JANUARY 
Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney, NSW
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

SATURDAY 24 JANUARY 
The Bakery, Perth, WA
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Iceage National Tour 2015

We are thanking our lucky stars for this holy Sugar Mountain line-up and the sideshows it is spitting out.

Danish doom and gloomers Iceage are returning to our home girt by sea for a select handful of shows that’ll leave punters shaking in their bones.

Their third record Plowing Into The Field Of Love received universal critical acclaim, the band marginally stepping away from their cut-throat punk-pace and opting for more melodic, emotional post-punk vibes.

Take it from personal experience, an Iceage live show is one ferocious, bewitching performance you’ll never, ever forget.

SYDNEY – January 21 – Oxford Art Factory
BRISBANE – January 22 – Alhambra Lounge 

First Aid Kit Golden Plains Sideshows 2015

You know those rare live performances that leave you utterly mesmerised? Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg of First Aid Kid are responsible for these kinds of moments.

Singing weary songs about transience, touring constantly, missing home, losing friends and lovers, the Swedish sisters pen lyrics about fighting the good fight but making the kind of wide-eyed, ’70s-tinged folk-rock that thrives on soaring vocals, warm harmonies and big choruses.

Having dropped their glistening third record Stay Gold in June of this year, First Aid Kit are running hot, and their return to Australia in 2015 will be massive.

BadBadNotGood The Falls & Lost Paradise Sideshows 2014

This Toronto three-piece are killing it at the moment.

Releasing their suave tune ‘Triangle’ off their third record III saw the trio produce some of the finest jazz-influenced instrumental hiphop of 2014.

This year’s tour will most definitely be the last time you can catch them in an intimate setting as these talented Canadians are destined for dizzying heights.

Saturday 27 December – Melbourne – Laundry Bar

Sunday 28 December – Lorne – Falls Festival – SOLD OUT

Monday 29 December – Marion Bay – Falls Festival

Wednesday 31 December – Byron Bay – Falls Festival – SOLD OUT

Thursday 1 January – Glenworth Valley – Lost Paradise Festival

Sleep Meredith Sideshows 2014

Calling all fans of stoner-doom rock, super heavyweights of the scene Sleep are returning to Aussie shores for their first ever full national tour.

The trio of San Jose will be paralysing fans with their woozy sonic layers best found on the timeless Jerusalem and Dopesmoker.

If you’ve ever called yourself a fan of stoner-rock, you need to be witness this live show.

Saturday December 6 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Tickets from lifeisnoise.com, oztix.com.au and the venue

Monday December 8 – The Bakery, Perth

Tickets from lifeisnoise.com, oztix.com.au and the venue

Tuesday December 9 – Fowlers Live, Adelaide

Tickets from lifeisnoise.com, oztix.com.au and the venue

Thursday December 11 – Crowbar, Brisbane

Tickets from lifeisnoise.com, oztix.com.au and the venue

Saturday December 13 – Manning Bar, Sydney
Tickets from lifeisnoise.com, oztix.com.au and the venue

Danny Brown Tour 2015

Since exploding onto the contemporary hip-hop scene with a raft of acclaimed mixtapes, Danny Brown has gone on to become on the world’s most critically acclaimed and imaginative rappers in the game, consistently wowing crowds and critics alike with his creative lyrical imagery and intense stage presence.

Fast becoming a frequent visitor Down Under, Brown has now announced a short run of sideshows while he’s in the country to win crowds over once again at Falls Festival. This January, Brown will be hitting up venues in Brisbane and Melbourne. Check below for all details.

Danny Brown Australian Tour Dates

Tickets on sale 10am Friday, 31st October 2014

Saturday, 3rd January 2015
The Hi-Fi, Brisbane
Tickets: Live Nation

Sunday, 4th January 2015
Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Tickets: Live Nation

Conor Oberst Golden Plains Sideshows 2015

Awarded Rolling Stone‘s highly coveted Best Songwriter title in 2008, Conor Oberst first came to recognition in the late 90s, releasing a handful of critically acclaimed albums on his own record label before he had even finished high school, then going on to further acclaim as the frontman of Bright Eyes.

Oberst has announced he will be touring Australia next February and March, performing headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Thirroul alongside performances at Golden Plains and the Zoo Series in Sydney and Melbourne. He will also be joined by acclaimed US outfit The Felice Brothers during all shows.

Conor Oberst Australian Tour Dates

w/The Felice Brothers

Thursday, 25th February 2015
The Triffid, Brisbane
Tickets: The Triffid

Saturday, 27th February 2015
Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Tickets: Corner Hotel

Sunday, 28th February 2015
Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne
Tickets: Melbourne Zoo

Wednesday, 4th March 2015
Metro Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Metro Theatre

Thursday, 5th March 2015
Anitas, Thirroul
Tickets via http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Anitas-Theatre-tickets-Thirroul/venue/157663

Friday, 6th March 2015
Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Tickets: Taronga Zoo

Sunday, 8th March 2015
Golden Plains Festival, Meredith
Tickets: Golden Plains

Band Of Skulls National Tour 2015

Having set stages ablaze at Splendour in the Grass, rock and roll favourites Band of Skulls are set to journey back to Australia in 2015 for a raft of awesome shows around the country, including several dates supporting The Black Keys’ highly anticipated Rolling Green dates.

The band will also be performing at the 2015 instalment of Byron Bay Bluesfest, as well as during two very special, limited-capacity club shows. The tour is coming in support of the band’s acclaimed third full-length effort, Himalayan.

Band Of Skulls Australian Tour Dates

Friday, 3rd April 2015
Bluesfest, Byron Bay
Tickets: Band of Skulls

Sunday, 5th April 2015
Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley
Tickets: Band of Skulls
Supporting The Black Keys

Tuesday, 7th April 2015
The Corner, Melbourne
Tickets: Band of Skulls

Thursday, 9th April 2015
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Tickets: Band of Skulls

Saturday, 11th April 2015
Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley
Tickets: Band of Skulls
Supporting The Black Keys

Röyksopp & Robyn The Falls Sideshows 2015

One of the mightiest and most creatively lucrative partnerships ever to come out of Scandinavia, Röyksopp and Robyn have announced they will extend their joint Do it Again World Tour, confirming a short run of state-of-the-art shows, taking in both Sydney and Melbourne for one night only each.

Amidst a mind-blowing production of big sounds, lasers, smoke, and lights, Röyksopp kick off the night with a solo set delivering classics such as ‘Remind Me’, ‘Happy Up Here’, and ‘Poor Leno’, Robyn then takes over for a solo set, before the two-hour show climaxes with Röyksopp joining Robyn on the stage for a high-octane combined club set.

UPDATE 06/11/14: Falls Festival organisers have confirmed that Robyn has pulled out of her upcoming Australian appearances with Röyksopp – full details here.

Röyksopp & Robyn Australian Tour Dates

Tickets on sale 10am Friday, 7th November 2014

Fan Club pre-sale 10am Monday, 3rd November until 5pm Tuesday, 4th November

My Live Nation & Ticket agent pre-sales 10am Wednesday, 5th November until 5pm Thursday, 6th November

Monday, 5th January 2015
Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Tickets: Live Nation

Tuesday, 6th January 2015
Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Tickets: Live Nation

London Grammar National Tour 2015

Due to an overwhelming demand from their legions of devoted Aussie fans and the lengthy online waitlists, London Grammar have added a second, all ages show at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on Monday, 9th March 2015.

The Enmore show joins the recently-announced Brisbane show, which is set to take over the stunning Riverstage, to give all of the northern New South Wales and Queensland fans who missed out on their Splendour set a chance to see them live.

London Grammar Australian Tour Dates

Saturday, 7th March 2015 – SELLING FAST
Riverstage, Brisbane
Tickets: Secret Sounds

Monday, 9th March 2015 – JUST ADDED
Enmore Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)
Tickets: Secret Sounds

Thursday, 12th March 2015 – SOLD OUT
Hordern Pavilion, Sydney

Saturday, 14th March 2015 – SOLD OUT
Festival Hall, Melbourne

Big Freedia The Falls Sideshows 2014/15

Big Freedia has many titles, the undisputed Queen Diva and New Orleans ambassador of bounce, but she’s best known as the figure most responsible for popularising the far-reaching modern pop cultural phenomenon known as ‘tweaking’. Don’t pretend you haven’t heard about it.

Big Freedia is now set to return to Australia this summer with her phenomenally high energy, ultra positive club shows and a quick series of workshops. Readers can check below for all the dates and ticketing details for a musical and physical experience unlike any other.

Big Freedia Australian Tour Dates

Tuesday, 30th December 2014
Howler, Melbourne
Tickets: Moshtix

Friday, 2nd January 2015
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Tickets: Moshtix

Passenger National Tour 2015

Acclaimed UK singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg, a.k.a. Passenger, has announced he will return once again to his Australian fans this January. A frequent visitor Down Under Passenger will be bringing his Whispers Tour to Australia for a run of national capital city and regional dates.

Selling fast, with several shows already sold out, this highly anticipated, all-ages tour will see the ‘Let Her Go’ hit-maker and former Ed Sheerhan touring partner hitting up huge venues to showcase his legendary performance skills and his nuanced, heartfelt tunes.

Passenger Australian Tour Dates

Friday, 16th January 2015 – SOLD OUT
Theatre Royal, Hobart, TAS

Saturday, 17th January 2015 – SOLD OUT
The Palais Theatre, Melbourne VIC

Sunday, 18th January 2015
The Palais Theatre, Melbourne VIC
Tickets: Passenger

Tuesday, 20th January 2015
Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide SA
Tickets: Passenger

Thursday, 22nd January 2015 – SOLD OUT
Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra ACT

Friday, 23rd January 2015
Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney NSW
Tickets: Passenger

Sunday, 25th January 2015
Riverstage, Brisbane QLD
Tickets: Passenger

Tuesday, 27th January 2015
Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns QLD
Tickets: Passenger

Thursday, 5th February 2015
Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin NT
Tickets: Passenger

Saturday, 7th February 2015
Red Hill Auditorium, Perth WA
Tickets: Passenger

Parquet Courts Golden Plains Sideshows 2015

Parquet Courts left delirious punters reeling in the wake of their much-talked-about performances during last year’s Laneway Festival shows, in addition to their infamously raucous and sweaty headline gigs in Sydney and Melbourne.

Having delivered another impeccable album in this year’s critically acclaimed Sunbathing Animal, which marked a huge leap forward for the group in terms of songwriting and vision, the band will soon return to Australia to wow crowds once again during Golden Plains and a series of headline shows.

Parquet Courts Australian Tour Dates

Wednesday, 4th March 2015
Manning Bar, Sydney
Tickets: Parquet Courts

Thursday, 5th March 2015
The Zoo, Brisbane
Tickets: Parquet Courts

Friday, 6th March 2015
The Hi-Fi, Melbourne
Tickets: Parquet Courts

Sunday, 8th March 2015
Golden Plains, Meredith
Tickets: Golden Plains

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