Prolific multi-platinum Australian artist Crooked Colours today announces his fourth studio album Dirt Road Gold, set for release Friday August 21st 2026. Alongside the announcement an upcoming multi-date Australian tour and drop of his latest single from the LP, ‘Oxford’. Once a trio now solely led by lead singer Philip Slabber, this is a deeply personal and career defining moment for Crooked Colours, his vulnerability on display as he steps through to the dawn of a new era. Pushing the boundaries of his own musical scope and in turn flawlessly delivering. Slabber effortlessly genre-hops through Dirt Road Gold, from alternative euphoric builds to upbeat melodies to electronic stabs alongside his instantly recognisable heartbreaking vocals; stacked to perfection. Available to pre-save here.
Speaking of the overall process, creativity and what to expect from Dirt Road Gold Slabber shares, “The inspiration for the album wasn’t one single thing, it was movement. Change. The push and pull between holding onto what’s familiar and letting it go. There were moments of isolation, but also a lot of clarity in that space. Sonically, I wanted it to feel expansive but intimate at the same time, something that could live in a club but still hit you when you’re alone driving at night. I want you to be able to hear the moments.”
An industry heavyweight both locally and abroad with nods from Billboard, NME and Dancing Astronaut, Crooked Colours continually craft a distinctive soundscape with over a decade of multifaceted experience. Known for bridging the gap between indie and electronic music, ‘Oxford’ succeeds the Rolling Stone AUNZ featured-single ‘Pink Limo’ followed by ‘Come Thru’, all calling Dirt Road Gold home. Showcasing the calibre and hinting at the dynamic of the overall album. Effortlessly navigating sonic moments of light and shade, a true stand-out in the current global dance scene, and highlighting Slabber’s unparalleled storytelling ability.
With a dedicated following as a cornerstone of the Australian music scene, the upcoming Dirt Road Gold tour kicking off in October will see Crooked Colours perform at Freo. Social in Fremantle, Metro Theatre in Sydney, Northcote Theatre in Melbourne, Lion Arts Factory in Adelaide, Brisbane’s The Triffid and Byron Bay’s The Northern.
Of-late, 2025 saw Crooked Colours take on a national tour before making his way across Europe hitting London, Paris, Berlin and more. Having notably performed at Laneway Festival, Falls Festival, Beyond The Valley, Red Rocks, Bonnaroo, Grooving The Moo, Spilt Milk and Splendour In The Grass, Slabber has continually earnt a dedicated following as an institution in the dance realm.
As one of the globe’s most reliable and energetic Australian exports, previous albums Vera (2017), Langata (2019) and triple j Feature Album Tomorrows (2022), all encompassing the brooding, sun-kissed euphoria of Crooked Colours. Collectively delivering standout tracks including ARIA Platinum accredited records ‘Flow’ and ‘Do It Like You’, alongside Gold singles ‘I Hope You Get It’, ‘I’ll Be There’, ‘Hold On’ and ‘Love Language’; quickly surpassing one billion streams worldwide across all platforms and counting.
Highlighted collaborations with Don Toliver, Masked Wolf and Ladyhawke alongside official remixes from Claptone, HOSH, Kyle Watson, SNBRN, Alison Wonderland, Hermitude and Bag Raiders all adding to the culture and escape that is Crooked Colours. Dirt Road Gold and all that it embodies, will no doubt add to the act’s long and growing list of accolades.
Crooked Colours’ Dirt Road Gold LP is set for release on Friday August 21st 2026.
Pre-save/pre-order here
BUY/STREAM: CROOKED COLOURS – OXFORD
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For most songwriters, being asked to write a love song might inspire heartfelt lyrics and grand romantic gestures. For Audio Lounge bassist and songwriter Eric Merryman, it sparked something entirely different.
The Annapolis rock outfit’s latest single, Virginia’s Not for Lovers, began as a tongue-in-cheek response to repeated requests from Merryman’s then-girlfriend to write a romantic track. Rather than delivering a conventional declaration of love, he leaned into irony, crafting a deliberately generic love song that slowly evolved into a sharp commentary on emotional detachment and hollow relationships.
Released on May 29, 2026, the single marks a significant step forward for a band that has been growing together since childhood. Founding members Trent and Connor first started making music together in fifth grade, laying the foundation for what would eventually become Audio Lounge. Years later, that friendship remains at the heart of the group’s creative chemistry.
While the band’s collaborative spirit is evident throughout the recording, much of the track’s foundation came from Merryman himself. He handled virtually every instrument during the initial sessions, building the song piece by piece before drummer Connor Fuerst stepped in to contribute his own rhythmic ideas. The result is a recording that balances individual vision with collective refinement.
Adding another layer to the song’s texture are background vocals from Michaela Palazzo, bringing subtle depth to a production that already feels larger than life.
That expansive quality is no accident. Audio Lounge openly embraces the influence of Foo Fighters, a longtime favorite of Merryman’s. The band’s impact can be heard throughout the track, particularly in the explosive post-chorus sections where the song shifts from restrained storytelling into full-scale stadium-rock territory. Yet rather than simply imitate their heroes, Audio Lounge uses those influences as a launchpad for a sound that feels increasingly their own.
Recorded at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s recording studio, the project also carries personal significance for the band. It was there that Trent and Connor studied music production during college, giving the sessions a sense of familiarity and creative freedom that shines through in the finished product.
What makes Virginia’s Not for Lovers stand out is the contrast at its core. On the surface, it presents itself as a love song. Dig a little deeper, however, and the irony becomes impossible to miss. The lyrics and delivery create the impression of a relationship running on autopilot, where affection feels more performative than genuine. It’s a clever inversion of a familiar theme, transforming romantic expectations into something far more nuanced.
For Audio Lounge, the single represents more than just another release. It signals a new level of confidence in both songwriting and production. The band describes it as their strongest recording to date, and it’s easy to hear why. Between its soaring hooks, emotional weight, and polished execution, the track captures a sense of ambition that pushes beyond their previous work.
With Virginia’s Not for Lovers, Audio Lounge has managed to turn a simple challenge into a compelling rock anthem—one that combines humor, honesty, and arena-ready energy in equal measure. If this release is any indication of where the band is headed next, their future looks every bit as expansive as the sound they’ve created here.
Dom Dolla | Thursday 24th September | Marvel Stadium, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
Melbourne’s own Dom Dolla has sold out his Marvel Stadium show and is set to deliver one of the most significant moments in Australian electronic music history this September.
Presale allocations were exhausted within hours, with all remaining tickets selling out instantly from general on sale.
Presented by Untitled Group and Frontier Touring, the show is an Australian-exclusive and the world premiere of his brand new stadium production in front of his home crowd.
The sellout cements a remarkable trajectory for the GRAMMY Award-nominated DJ and producer. Following his record-breaking, sold-out debut at Allianz Stadium in Sydney in December 2025, he now brings the experience to Melbourne on a scale that puts Australian electronic music on a new footing globally.
Nicholas Greco, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Untitled Group said, “Untitled Group has been part of Dom’s journey from the very start of his career, and to watch him sell out Marvel Stadium in his hometown is a moment we’ll never forget. This puts electronic music in Australia firmly on the global map and is a historic moment for Dom, for Melbourne, and for electronic music fans across the country.”
Dom’s catalogue has surpassed 1.5 billion streams, earning him four ARIA Awards for Best Dance/Electronic Release and the inaugural ARIA Global Impact Award presented by Spotify.
In 2025, he headlined two sold-out nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden to over 30,000 fans, completed a 10-week residency at the world’s #1 club Hi Ibiza, and made his film soundtrack debut with “No Room For A Saint” ft. Nathan Nicholson for the movie “F1” and has collaborated with Kid Cudi, Tove Lo & Nelly Furtado.
This is an 18+ event.
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Frontier Touring are thrilled to announce Massive Attack will perform three exclusive headline shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne this August. This will be the band’s first live dates in Australia in 16 years.
Tickets go on Friday 5 June (3pm local time) via frontiertouring.com/massiveattack. Frontier Members can get early access via the presale, which starts Thursday 4 June (2pm local time) – see website for further details.
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Watch: Massive Attack / Tom Waits – ‘Boots on the Ground’
MASSIVE ATTACK LIVE 2026
AUSTRALIAN TOUR
AUGUST 2026
Presented by Frontier Touring
FRONTIER MEMBER PRESALE
via frontiertouring.com/massiveattack
Runs 24 hours from: Thursday 4 June (2pm local time)
or until presale allocation exhausted
TICKETS ON SALE
Begins: Friday 5 June (3pm local time)
Thursday 6 August
Brisbane Entertainment Centre | Brisbane, QLD
Lic. All Ages
ticketek.com.au
Sunday 9 August
Qudos Bank Arena | Sydney, NSW
Lic. All Ages
ticketek.com.au
Tuesday 11 August
Rod Laver Arena | Melbourne, VIC
Lic. All Ages
ticketek.com.au
FOLLOW MASSIVE ATTACK:
Godskitchen returns to Australia, reigniting the country’s love affair with uplifting trance and thunderous main room energy. A name synonymous with epic production, iconic visuals and spine-tingling, hands-in-the-air moments. This is more than a comeback — it’s a revival of the spirit that defined a generation of dance culture. Australia prepare for ‘The Resurrection.’
GODSKITCHEN ARTIST LINE-UP
ALY & FILA . GABRIEL & DRESDEN . SOLARSTONE
Plus
(Melbourne Only)
ANTHONY PAPPA . BINARY FINARY
A-Z
Ahmet Atasever
Ben Evans
David Chouman x Clara Yates
Dark Sin
Mark James
Mike Nichol
Scott Alert
Steve Bleas
Steve Strangis