There’s nothing quite like the warmer months in Australia, people are out and about, spirits are high, and most importantly, we’re the #1 destination for the vast majority of musicians to tour.
Having recently posted a massive local tour wrap that will see many Aussie artists perform around our nation, a further eight international acts have announced that they’ll be bringing their tunes to the great Down Under, and we can’t bloody wait.
Charli XCX
Charli XCX will be returning to Australian shores this April and May to play headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane while in the country to perform at 2015’s Groovin The Moo Festival, as well as a slew of east coast sideshows.
The British pop songstress has had a couple of massive years, having collaborated with Icona Pop for the epic banger ‘I Don’t Care’ not to mention last year’s cataclysmic smash hit ‘Fancy’ with our very own Iggy Azalea, as well as dropping her third solo record Sucker, which was with universal praise.
Charli is a superstar rising, and will be joined by Australia’s shining hiphop talent, Tkay Maidza.
Charli XCX Australian Tour Dates
Wednesday 29 April
(All Ages)
Metro Theatre, Sydney
Friday 1 May
(18+)
Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Thursday 7 May
(All Ages)
The Met, Brisbane
American Football
Heads up ’90s emo rock fans, your favourite band are back together, and they’re finally making their way to Australia.
Although the trio Mike Kinsella (Cap’n Jazz, Owen, Owls), Steve Lamos, and Steve Holmes only played a few shows and released just one other record (a three-song EP that preceded this full-length), their influence and legacy has steadily continued to grow in the time after they disbanded.
From its now iconic artwork to the band’s unique songwriting approach (highlighted by an emphasis on shifting time signatures and sincere lyrics), American Football proves a record doesn’t become a true classic through flashiness or catering to trends, but rather the deep emotional connection it forges between the music and the listener.
This will be huge.
American Football Australian Tour Dates
Saturday 4 July – The HiFi, Melbourne 18+
Sunday 5 July – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney 18+
Defeater
After a full year off the road the melodic hardcore outfit of Massachusetts have at long-last announced that they will tour Australia, beginning in Perth this May.
Front man Derek Archambault spoke of the forthcoming tour: “After a year away from touring and nearly two of immobility, I have never been happier to push forward with Defeater,” he said. “Releasing a new album with a label I have bought records from for more than 20 years still doesn’t feel real. Like many of my peers, Epitaph’s 90’s roster was a big part of the soundtrack to my teenage years. Signing to Epitaph, and tours in the US, Europe and Australia has the makings of a banner year for Defeater.”
The band will be supported by Bane.
Defeater Australian Tour Dates
Thursday May 28 – YMCA HQ, Perth AA
Friday May 29 – Rosemount, Perth
Saturday May 30 – Fowlers, Adelaide Lic / AA
Sunday May 31- Corner, Melbourne
Monday June 1 – Arrow On Swanston, Melbourne AA
Wednesday June 3- Bald Faced Stag, Sydney Lic / AA
Thursday June 4 – Bald Faced Stag, Sydney
Friday June 5 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
Saturday June 6 – YAC, Byron Bay AA
Sunday June 7 – The Brightside, Brisbane
Monday June 8 – The Lab, Brisbane AA
Nick Waterhouse
The revered Californian RnB purist is bringing his rockin’ live show to Australia for the first time this year a part of Golden Plains festival, and to ensure that all of his Aussie fans are satisfied, Nick Waterhouse will be charming the hearts of punters right across Australia.
Waterhouse will be playing tracks from his two acclaimed albums 2012’s Time’s All Gone and 2014’s breakthrough, Holly, this is a show that is not to be missed.
Nick Waterhouse Australian Tour Dates
Saturday, March 7 – Perth International Arts Festival, Perth
Sunday, March 8 – Golden Plains Festival, Victoria
Monday, March 9 – WOMADelaide, Adelaide
Thursday, March 12 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Friday, March 13 – Substation Arts Centre, Melbourne
Saturday, March 14 – Caravan Music Club, Victoria
Sunday, March 15 – The Basement, Sydney
J ROCC
The guys at Red Bull Music Academy Club Night have announced the return of their series in February, inviting legend J ROCC to take punters on a musical journey across hip hop, house, latin, afro, techno, disco, boogie and more.
Not a stranger to our shores, J ROCC has delighted Australian audiences in previous years supporting Madlib during his Medicine Tour and Breakestra in 2010. This visit will be his first as a solo artist following the 2011 release of his debut LP, Some Cold Rock Stuf.
J ROCC Australian Tour Dates
Wed – 18/2 – Perth – The Manor – supported by Charlie Bucket & Henry Sims
Thur – 19/2 – Brisbane – Woolly Mammoth – supported by Sampology & Gavin Boyd
Fri – 20/2 – Melbourne – Mercat – supported by Kano, Arks & Danielsan
Sat – 21/2 – Sydney – Goodgod Small Club – supported by Mike Who & Naiki
Sun – 22/2 – Adelaide – Surrender – supported by Kano* & Jimmy Caution
PHFAT
South African electronic hiphop group are bound for Aussie shores in just a few weeks, having been invited to perform at music festivals around the country, and while they’re here, they decided they’d give audiences what they want and play a couple of club shows, too.
In aid of promoting their new single ‘If He Can’t Dance’, the Cape Town good guy party crew will follow on from the success of their highly acclaimed inaugural self-funded tour in 2014.
PHFAT Australian Tour Dates
Friday 20 February | UTS O’Fest – Sydney, NSW
Friday 20 February | World Bar – Sydney, NSW
Saturday 21 February | Mountain Sounds – Central Coast, NSW
Wednesday 25 February | The Small Ballroom – Newcastle, NSW
Thursday 26 February | Secret Show, Sydney, NSW
Friday 27 February | Secret Show, Sydney, NSW
Saturday 28 February | La De Da – Canberra, ACT
Wednesday 4 March | Sosueme @ Beach Road, Bondi, NSW
Friday 6 March | Laundry Bar, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 7 March | Maitreya Festival, Wooroonook Lake, VIC
Wednesday 11 March | The Pier, Port Macquarie, NSW
Thursday 12 March | Pacific Hotel, Yamba, NSW
Friday 13 March | Underdog Pub, Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 14 March | Farmer & The Owl, Wollongong, NSW
