Photography: Zane Taprell
Expect lightning-fast tempos, razor-sharp riffs, pulsating drums, and captivating melodies.” Under The Radar
“A rich tapestry of styles from out and out punk, to garage indie.” CLASH
“Think MC5 meets The Fall” Pan M 360
“Ok this kinda rips!” Anthony Fantano
“This new banger will propel them thoroughly on their way to wider recognition.” DIY
Groningen, Netherlands-based four-piece Real Farmer have today (18 February) unveiled Heart Out, a new single that’s a thrilling mix of 60s beat and proto punk. Hollering vocals and swashbuckling guitars conjure up a mental image of the wasted, sweatstained, downtown New York of the mid-70s: that of Richard Hell or Dead Boys. For the video they were filmed playing live by Roger Sargent (The Libertines, Vona Vella, Baxter Dury) at Margate’s iconic greasy spoon Dalby Cafe.
On Heart Out, Real Farmer say: “Some days the urge to give up feels insurmountable. What does art matter in a world where the sick reign and act with impunity? Are we even worthy of love? We need to resist becoming bitter by what is happening out there. Love is the drive to do everything but also sets the intention that an act should have. Resistance needs love.”
The single release comes as Real Farmer have today for the first time detailed their second album Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right. It’s out 1 May through Peter Doherty’s Strap Originals on vinyl and digital – pre-orders/saves are found here. In allegiance with independent record shops, a limited deluxe colored vinyl will be available in certain stores.
Upon completing upcoming dates in Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and France, Real Farmer are back in the UK in June for their biggest headline run yet. The gigs are announced as they gear up to support Peter Doherty at a sold out 2,700 cap L’Olympia in Paris tonight.
UK
June 02 – Brighton, Prince Albert
June 03 – London, New River Studios
June 04 – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
June 05 – Manchester, YES (basement)
June 06 – Newcastle, ZEROX: the Shooting Gallery
June 07 – Glasgow, The Hug & Pint
June 09 – Sheffield, Delicious Clam
June 10 – Oxford, Little Bully
June 11 – Nottingham, JT Soar
June 12 – Norwich, Norwich Arts Centre
June 13 – Southampton, Heartbreakers Bar
EU
May 07 – Köln, Bumann & SOHN
May 08 – Horst, Nikspack Festival
May 09 – Amsterdam, OCCII
May 11 – Berlin, Schokoladen
May 12 – Hamburg, MS Stubnitz
May 14 – Basel, Hirscheneck
May 15 – Bern, ISC
May 20 – Marseille, L’intermédiaire
May 22 – Biel Bienne, venue TBC
May 29 – Utrecht, ACU
May 30 – Eindhoven, Skinfest
June 01 – Paris, Verte est la nuit
Real Farmer’s new album becomes their third release to be recorded at Far Out Sound Studios in Rotterdam by Niek Van Den Driesschen (Rats on Rafts, Iguana Death Cult), following debut album Compare What’s There (2024) and EP RF II (2025). Previous singles on Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right include the Stereolab-esque Run By Animals video and Missing Link video – a thrashy, stop-start opener and a call to arms. “Not all songs are punk songs, but everything is written in this spirit,” says Real Farmer. “There’s so much happening in the world, that if you’re even a little empathetic, you can’t help but feel overwhelmed and saddened [by it all]. Music remains such an important outlet as well as a meeting point for politics and worldviews. And with this album we hope listeners can also find a sense of empowerment and hope through our songs.”
Real Farmer are fast making a name for themselves in alternative music scenes all over Europe thanks to their energetic blend of DIY punk, angular art-rock and gritty authenticity. In 2025 they supported the likes of Babyshambles, Protomartyr and The Libertines and played The Great Escape, Primavera a la Ciutat and Pitchfork Paris.
The band released their debut EP on Dutch indie Subroutine Records (Tramhaus, The Homesick) in 2019 and signed to Strap Originals in 2023. Their releases have caught adoration of their ever-growing fanbase and key champions in press and radio; including: BBC 6Music, Radio 1, Apple Music 1, So Young, DIY, Louder Than War, God Is In The TV, The Needle Drop and Under The Radar.
Real Farmer are: Jeroen Klootsema (vocals), Marrit Meinema (bass, vocals), Leon Harms (drums) and Peter van der Ploeg (guitar, backing vocals).
TICKETS ON SALE WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY
Frontier Touring is thrilled to announce that one of the biggest and most beloved rock bands of all time – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Foo Fighters – will make their hugely anticipated return to Australia and New Zealand next summer. Celebrating their long-standing love of both countries, this return marks another major chapter in the band’s ongoing global touring legacy, as they bring their unparalleled live show to stadiums in Brisbane, Townsville, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne and Adelaide this November 2026, followed by Christchurch, Auckland and Perth in January 2027.
Today’s news follows Foo Fighters’ recent history-making performance in Tasmania – the biggest concert ever held in the State, and their first ever appearance in Launceston. The sold-out UTAS Stadium show reaffirmed Foo Fighters’ enduring connection with their fans down under, with frontman Dave Grohl fulfilling his onstage promise that the band would return before his birthday (January 14). Buoyed by their Tassie visit and with a reputation for delivering landmark live moments in every corner of the globe, Foo Fighters have added two regional cities, Townsville and Newcastle, to their forthcoming return.
Over in Christchurch meanwhile, the band will take to the stage at the city’s newly built, state-of-the-art One New Zealand Stadium, on track to be completed in April.
Foo Fighters are stoked to be sharing stages across Australia and New Zealand with 16 of the region’s hottest rising acts, handpicked by the Foos – arrive early and discover your next favourite band, with a support lineup including:
Brisbane: Full Flower Moon Band (Brisbane) + Mini Skirt (Byron Bay)
Townsville: Full Flower Moon Band (Brisbane) + Downgirl (Sydney)
Sydney: The Belair Lip Bombs (Frankston) + TEENS (Hobart)
Newcastle: The Buoys (Sydney) + C.O.F.F.I.N (Sydney)
Melbourne: The Belair Lip Bombs (Frankston) + FRENZEE (Melbourne)
Adelaide: Kurralta Park (Adelaide) + Spooky Eyes (Launceston)
Christchurch: Dartz (Wellington) + Seek Help! (Dunedin)
Auckland: Dick Move (Auckland) + Ringlets (Auckland)
Perth: Southern River Band (Perth) + Last Quokka (Perth)
Telstra Plus Members can access presale tickets from Friday 20 February via telstra.com.au/plus. Spark customer presale also starts Friday 20 February (12pm local time) via spark.co.nz/music. Frontier Members (sign up here) can access presale tickets from Monday 23 February (times staggered). Tickets will then go on sale Wednesday 25 February (times staggered) – see frontiertouring.com/
Renowned for their marathon sets and career-spanning performances, as the world’s premier stadium rock band Foo Fighters have sold over 1.8 million records in Australia alone, with nine #1 albums to date – the most #1’s in any territory for the group. With demand sure to be high for these nine shows, fans are urged to act quickly to secure tickets.
Foo Fighters are Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, Rami Jaffee and Ilan Rubin.
FOO FIGHTERS
With special guests
Presented by Frontier Touring and Triple M (AU), The Rock (NZ)
TELSTRA PLUS (AU) MEMBER PRESALE
via telstra.com.au/music
Runs 48 hours from: Friday 20 February
or until presale allocation exhausted
Pre-sale timings staggered per show, visit website for more details
SPARK (NZ) CUSTOMER PRESALE
via spark.co.nz/music
Runs 48 hours from: Friday 20 February (12pm local)
or until presale allocation exhausted, visit website for more details
FRONTIER MEMBERS PRESALE
via frontiertouring.com/
Runs 24 hours from: Monday 23 February
or until presale allocation exhausted
Pre-sale timings staggered per show, visit website for more details
GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE
Begins: Wednesday 25 February (times staggered, see below)
ALL SHOWS LICENSED ALL AGES
Thursday 5 November 2026
Suncorp Stadium | Brisbane, QLD
Licensed All Ages
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/au
With special guests Full Flower Moon Band (Brisbane) + Mini Skirt (Byron Bay)
Saturday 7 November 2026
Queensland Country Bank Stadium | Townsville, QLD
Licensed All Ages
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/au
With special guests Full Flower Moon Band (Brisbane) + Downgirl (Sydney)
Tuesday 10 November 2026
Accor Stadium | Sydney, NSW
Licensed All Ages
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com.au
With special guests The Belair Lip Bombs (Frankston) + TEENS (Hobart)
Thursday 12 November 2026
McDonalds Jones Stadium | Newcastle, NSW
Licensed All Ages
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/au
With special guests The Buoys (Sydney) + C.O.F.F.I.N (Sydney)
Saturday 14 November 2026
Marvel Stadium | Melbourne, VIC
Licensed All Ages
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (11am local time)
axs.com/au
With special guests The Belair Lip Bombs (Frankston) + FRENZEE (Melbourne)
Tuesday 17 November 2026
Coopers Stadium | Adelaide, SA
Licensed All Ages
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/au
With special guests Kurralta Park (Adelaide) + Spooky Eyes (Launceston)
Tuesday 19 January 2027
One New Zealand Stadium | Christchurch, NZ
Licensed All Ages
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/nz
With special guests Dartz (Wellington) + Seek Help! (Dunedin)
Friday 22 January 2027
Western Springs Stadium | Auckland, NZ
Licensed All Ages
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/nz
With special guests Dick Move (Auckland) + Ringlets (Auckland)
Monday 25 January 2027
HBF Park | Perth, WA
Licensed All Ages
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/au
With special guests Southern River Band (Perth) + Last Quokka (Perth)
FOLLOW FOO FIGHTERS:
foofighters.com | Facebook | X | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube | Apple Music | TikTok
frontiertouring.com/
PRESENTED BY DESTINATION NSW & UNTITLED GROUP
Photo credit: Alex Loucas
Following the global unveiling of his next immersive live concept, Anyma presents ÆDEN, today Destination NSW and Untitled Group are thrilled to announce a one-off exclusive performance at The Domain, Sydney on Saturday 17th October 2026 – marking one of the most anticipated electronic music events to hit Australia this year.
Fans can enjoy a captivating glimpse of the world of ÆDEN, a blend of sci-fi futurism and ancient mythology, by watching the video teaser here.
Anyma – the project of Italian-American DJ, producer, and multidisciplinary artist Matteo Milleri – has quickly become synonymous with a new era of immersive electronic performance. Blending cutting-edge audiovisual production with emotive electronic music, Milleri’s work has carved out a singular space where music, visual art and technology converge on a global scale.
ÆDEN represents the next chapter in that evolution. Following acclaimed immersive productions Genesys and Quantum, the new concept expands Anyma’s meticulously crafted visual language into a fully realised environment where sound, narrative and digital design collide. The project will make its worldwide live debut at Coachella, before rolling out across select global cities – with Sydney announced as the sole Australian date.
“We’re so grateful to be partnering with the NSW Government to bring a project of this scale to Sydney,” said Michael Christidis, of Untitled Group. “Anyma presents ÆDEN is a truly boundary-pushing live experience, and delivering it at The Domain as a one-off Australian show is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s about giving audiences access to the most forward-thinking electronic music experiences in the world, right here at home.”
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “This is exactly the kind of immersive experience we want to see more of in Sydney and NSW, and we are thrilled to be partnering with Untitled Group to bring this world-renowned, cutting-edge artist exclusively to the Harbour City.
“The completely unique nature of Anyma’s shows means that we are expecting a significant number of attendees to travel to Sydney to attend the show. These visitors will not only experience a one-of-a-kind concert at The Domain, but will also stay in our hotels and eat at our restaurants, supporting hundreds of local businesses and jobs.
“Investing in a dynamic calendar of immersive world-class events and experiences like Anyma presents ÆDEN is a key strategic priority in achieving our goals set out in the Visitor Economy Strategy 2035.”
ANYMA PRESENTS ÆDEN
Pre-sale registration here: https://www.anyma.com/sydney
Saturday 17th October 2026 – The Domain, Sydney
Since launching the Anyma project in 2021, Milleri has emerged as one of electronic music’s most forward-thinking creative forces. His recent milestones include becoming the first electronic artist to hold a residency at Sphere in Las Vegas, delivering his Quantum two-stage production at the Great Pyramids of Giza, and headlining global events including Tomorrowland, Ultra Miami, Coachella, and the League of Legends Worlds Opening Ceremony in China.
The announcement of ÆDEN follows the release of The End Of Genesys (Deluxe), out now via Afterlife/Interscope. The expanded release features the original album alongside six new tracks debuted during Anyma’s sold-out Sphere residency, including recent singles “Out Of My Body” featuring EJAE and “Till I Die” with Solomun featuring Claudia Valentina.
Anyma presents ÆDEN in Sydney will be one of the rare opportunities to experience this next evolution of the live project outside of major international festivals and first-run global tour stops – and the only chance for Australian audiences to witness ÆDEN in 2026.
About Anyma
Anyma is the American-born Italian electronic music and multidisciplinary artist Matteo Milleri. Renowned for boundary-defying techno compositions, visuals and live shows, Anyma became the first electronic music artist to hold a residency at Sphere Las Vegas in 2024. The meticulously produced Afterlife Presents Anyma “The End of Genesys” cybernetic opera drew in an audience of 200,000 people across all 12 dates. Exploring themes of technology, nature, humanity, and coexistence, Anyma also created the Genesys album trilogy. A debut album, Genesys, came out in 2023, followed by 2024’s Genesys II (Afterlife/Interscope), with a third, The End of Genesys in 2025. The trilogy was drawn to a close on NYE 2025 with The End of Genesys Deluxe, including latest single ‘Out Of My Body’, featuring KPop Demon Hunters star EJAE. Anyma’s further collaborators across albums and live shows have included Sevdaliza, Grimes, Ellie Goulding, FKA Twigs, John Summit and many more. In 2024, he took on visual creative direction for The Weeknd’s “One Night Only” concert in São Paulo, Brazil. In 2025, Anyma held a summer residency at the world’s largest club [UNVRS] in Ibiza. He also headlined Ultra Miami 2025 with a B2B set with Solomun, additionally headlining Sziget Festival, Zürich Open Air, and many more. Last year, Anyma launched the beginning of his creative partnership with Oakley, was announced as a 2026 Coachella headliner, ranked #10 on DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs list, soundtracked the Vetements 2025 Paris Fashion Week runway show with Chris Avantgarde, headlined and provided creative direction at the League of Legends World Championship in China, and delivered a sold-out performance at the iconic Pyramids of Giza, where he unveiled his groundbreaking two-part show, “Quantum Genesys.”
Anyma presents ÆDEN is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and events agency, Destination NSW.
Presale registration is now open.
Presale tickets go on sale 2pm AEDT Wednesday 18th February 2026.
General public tickets on sale 10am AEDT Friday 20th February 2026.
For more info on Anyma, visit:
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | X
Photography: Jake Harm Nam
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Photography & Words: Charlotte Najjar
Well, 17,589 steps and many rain ponchos later, Laneway 2026 was certainly the place to be on Sunday. Not even the pouring rain could keep Sydney from pulling up to one of the biggest festivals of the year, thousands flocking in early to catch artists such as Cavetown, Shady Nasty and Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers.
The weather also didn’t stop the featured artists from giving us their all on the stage, a handful of UK artists even praising the brief pause from the heat, making way for something more comparable to the british summers.
The Belair Lip Bombs, fresh off their European tour brought big energy to the Hope Springs stage, an excellent warm up before heading over to Cavetown at the main stages.
The day flew by in a blur of talent, Shady Nasty was an excellent introduction to the Everything Ecstatic DJ tent, the place was seriously packed out, and Wisp was another crowd favourite with their alt, shoe-gazy sound that took over the space.
Of course, checking out Teen Jesus in between was a non-negotiable, with the recent release of their album “Glory“, they garnered quite the hype and were an honest highlight of the day.
A quick dash back to center stage got us to Alex G in the nick of time, then it was a quick lunch break before a crazy back to back trio of Lucy Dacus, The Dare and Role Model. All three brought a unique energy to each of their spaces, especially The Dare who I genuinely have no words to describe the energy and stage presence of. Just know the next time he plays near you, get to that show immediately.
Geese was next up on my list, and this up and coming band from NYC did not disappoint. Such a cool new sound, a bit rock a bit jazz, and a crowd that are already forming such a loyal fan base for the group here in Sydney.
I’ve heard that Pink Pantheress put on an incredible show, drawing insane crowds to the tent, so much so it had people climbing trees to get a look. I however, was not one of those brave enough to venture into such a crowd, as I was busy gearing up for Wet Leg over at the main stage.
I popped over just in time to catch The Wiggles make a special guest appearance as Role Model’s “Sally”, before heading into the pit to enjoy the UK band’s incredible performance. The show was phenomenal, made even better by the iconic red landline microphone that they brought out for CPR.
The final few sets were definitely a stretch to try and get to all at once. Malcolm Todd really delivered on a great sound and performance for his adoring fans, but I have beef with whoever scheduled him at the same time as Wolf Alice. Alas, that is the festival lifestyle, so it was quite the sprint (and I mean that in the most literal sense I can assure you) for myself and a few others to get there in time for the group, but there were zero regrets. Definitely one to see if you’re attending any of the other Laneway dates.
Finally, to end the night, a quick stop over at Yung Lean and Bladee (incredible) before what everyone had been waiting for. I swear I blinked and every stage had emptied within seconds, everyone headed to the same spot to try and catch a glimpse of pop phenomenon (Femininomenom even) Chappell Roan.
Despite the absolutely insane crowd, it was the perfect end to the perfect day. Chappell has a stage presence and personality like no other, controlling the environment around her to create a truely emersive show. It was such a treat to have her here again, after her 2023 show at Liberty Hall, it was quite the change of pace. Either way I think we are all hoping to have her back here as soon as possible, just to witness another show of a lifetime.
Music and beer lovers of Byron and beyond, mark your calendars! Stone & Wood is thrilled to announce the return of the Festival of the Stone for its 12th year, welcoming everyone back to the brewery for a winter celebration filled with great music, good company and the age-old tradition of stone brewing.
Taking place on Saturday 20 June from 3pm to 10pm at the Stone & Wood brewery in Byron Bay, the much-loved festival marks the ceremonial tapping of Stone & Wood’s annual Stone Beer, made using glowing hot stones in homage to ancient brewing methods.
Stay tuned for Festival of the Stone’s 2026 lineup, coming soon!
Each year, a month before the festival, Stone & Wood’s brewing team and local community gather for Stone Brew Day, a ceremonial gathering to heat stones over woodfire before lowering them into the kettle, creating the rich, smoky flavours that make Stone Beer so distinctive.
Following another hugely successful event in 2025, Festival of the Stone 2026 is set to deliver another unforgettable day of top-notch Australian talent, freshly poured brews and delicious bites from local food vendors.
Best of all, it’s for a great cause. The latest NSW Street Count figures show Byron Shire continues to face one of the highest rates of rough sleeping in the state, with 291 people recorded sleeping rough in 2025, second only to the City of Sydney.
In response, Festival of the Stone 2026 will once again proudly support Fletcher Street Cottage through the Ingrained Foundation, helping raise vital funds for the community hub’s essential services, advocacy and practical support for people experiencing homelessness across the Northern Rivers.
Festival of the Stone 2026 is shaping up to be one of winter’s must-attend events, all for a worthy cause. Save the date, book your leave and keep an eye on the website and socials for lineup reveals and ticket releases!
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Just over two weeks remain until GOLDEN HOUR makes its debut on Bondi Beach this February, with VIP sold out and General Admission very close to sold out.
Headlined by the iconic CROWDED HOUSE, the inaugural edition of the new live music event is rapidly approaching sell-out as anticipation builds for its first summer on the sand.
GOLDEN HOUR will welcome CROWDED HOUSE alongside the acclaimed THELMA PLUM to one of Australia’s most beloved shorelines. Designed to offer a safe, warm and welcoming environment, the event brings together community energy, comfort and world-class live music in a uniquely coastal setting.
Created as a new end-of-summer ritual for music fans, and marking the first major concert to take place on Bondi Beach in more than a decade, GOLDEN HOUR brings music to the sand. Guests are invited to settle in on the hill above the foreshore for sweeping ocean views, peak sunset moments and a shared live music experience.
With more special guests still to be announced, GOLDEN HOUR is set to be a night of affirmation and celebration, spotlighting powerful voices and engaging performances. The 2026 edition runs from 5pm to 10pm, launching an annual summer series that will return with new artists and experiences in the years ahead.
Final General Admission tickets are available now, with limited allocations remaining.
GOLDEN HOUR LIVE ON BONDI BEACH
Friday 20 February 2026
CROWDED HOUSE
THELMA PLUM
& MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED
It’s been a long time coming for fans and the artist alike but this coming June, RYAN OAKES will be unleashing his hyper-charged shows in Australian venues nationwide.
For the Virginia-born, Los Angeles-raised rapper, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, this trip is an opportunity to connect with some of his biggest supporters, while also debuting a stacked catalogue of material in this area of the world for the first time.
The talented multi-hyphenate has crafted a unique style of performance that matches an expert blend of hip-hop and alternative music – a signature sound that a community of music fans quickly fell for, and have become extremely loyal to. Oakes’ steadfast dedication to creating art that speaks to his individuality, bolstered by a DIY and independent approach, has garnered over 47 million streams: a figure that continues to blow up with each release.
Collaborating with a varied range of artists including MOD SUN, State Champs and Hollywood Undead, Oakes has earned a reputation for himself as being a versatile artist and one unafraid to be spurred on by the spirit of his peers – and vice versa.
In 2025, Oakes released his latest studio album, OPUS, a project that demonstrated the fiery ambition that remains threaded through the DNA of his work. It also reminds the listener that Oakes is far from done with pushing the boundaries of where he wants his music to go.
In coming to Australia, he is excited to share the new music with fans, as well as finally putting on a show his Australian community fans have long been hanging out to witness.
“Australia has been some of my biggest supporters for years now and a tour has been long overdue. We are going to make sure this is a truly special experience for everybody by including free meet and greets at every single show. At the end of my set I’m going to head to the merch booth and shake as many hands and take as many pictures as I can. This is a one time thing to show the fans how much I truly appreciate them holding me down down undah for so many years. Can’t wait to finally meet everyone and give them a show that makes up for the ten year wait!” RYAN OAKES
PRAISE
“The album is a decade in the making, seeing Oakes alternate between hip-hop, pop-punk, and seemingly everything in between. It’s resulted in a versatile collection appealing to fans across the scene’s spectrum.”
NEW NOISE MAGAZINE
“As the night progressed, the crowd’s enthusiasm grew with each successive song, leading up to a spectacular finale. Ryan Oakes had set the bar high, leaving the crowd ready for more.”
MELODIC MAGAZINE
RYAN OAKES AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Tickets via destroyalllines.com
Pre-sale from 11am local time Monday 9 February
General sales from 11am local time Tuesday 10 February
Friday 19 June Crowbar Brisbane
Saturday 20 June Corner Hotel Melbourne
Sunday 21 June Oxford Art Factory Sydney
Tuesday 23 June Zhivago Adelaide
Thursday 25 June Magnet House Perth
RYAN OAKES: Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube
Playlunch extend Sex Ed Regional Tour due to overwhelming demand with additional QLD dates plus venue upgrade
Announce LUNCH FEST in association with Great Southern Nights
Follows triple j Hottest 100 debut with Keith (#4) and It’s Raining Men [Like A Version] (#73)
Regional Queensland, it’s time to pack your lunchboxes! Beloved Aussie bogan-funk outfit Playlunch today announce an extension to their now 30+ date Sex Ed regional tour, treating lunchers in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay to the band’s exuberant live show, plus venue upgrades for their Canberra, Wollongong, and Frankston shows due to overwhelming demand. Playlunch are also proud to announce LUNCH FEST – a minifest curated by Playlunch, DoubleU Artists, and Destroy All Lines in association with Great Southern Nights, set to take place at Sydney’s Liberty Hall on May 15.
LUNCH FEST is set to bring an incredible lineup of talent from across the country together for the school assembly of the century. Joining Playlunch will be multi-award winning innovator DEVAURA, electrifying Minang Noongar artist Ricky Neil Jr., and alt-pop rising star Shannen James, plus a local opener yet to be announced.
Earlier this week the band also announced their first tour across the ditch, playing to New Zealand fans in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland in May. Tickets are on sale now.
The announcements follow Playlunch’s triple j Hottest 100 double-debut, where the group landed the #4 spot for their now iconic track ‘Keith’, and #73 for their Like A Version cover of The Weather Girls’ ‘It’s Raining Men’. As voted by the nation, Playlunch have cemented themselves as one of Australia’s favourite new acts, and tickets are flying for their mammoth regional run and last Australian shows for the foreseeable future.
“Touring regionally has always been such a big priority for our band since the very start, and getting around to all the people who continue to support us,” says the band. “To be able to keep the Sex Ed train rolling is so special! These will be the last Australian shows for quite a while as we are looking to see what the rest of the world has in store for us; so we hope you are able to grab a ticket and make it a night to remember. Everyone is in for an absolute treat, with a show of nonstop dancing and singing across the whole lineups!”
Multiple dates remain for Victorian fans, with the tour continuing in Frankston this Saturday, plus St Kilda, South Morang, Traralgon, and Barwon Heads shows in the coming months. In March, Playlunch are scheduled to return to Tasmania for Good Gumnuts Festival, plus a headline show in Hobart, before playing sold out shows in Queensland’s Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in April, and Cairns, Townsville and Mackay in May. New South Wales lunchers can catch Playlunch throughout April and May in Byron Bay, Albury, Gosford, Sydney, Newcastle, Avalon Beach, Wollongong, and Archies Creek, and Canberra will be treated to a one-off show in April. Tickets are on sale now via destroyalllines.com.
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Photography: Darren Chan
Photography: Jake Harm Nam
Australian songwriter and producer Callum MacDonald, best known as a core member of R&B/soul project daste., steps into a new creative chapter this week with the launch of his solo project Monsieur Mellow. While daste. continue work on new material slated for 2026, MacDonald has taken the opportunity to explore a sound that’s been quietly forming for years.
The first taste of Monsieur Mellow arrives via ‘Paris Strut’; a groove-led, jazz-house debut that introduces the sonic world of MacDonald’s forthcoming ep, which is already completed and waiting in the wings. Drawing from funk, disco, reggae, and Caribbean influences, the track is rich in warmth and movement, built to feel lived-in, loose, and instinctive.
Written in the in the wake of touring UK/EU with daste., ‘Paris Strut’ emerged from a period of renewed inspiration on the road. “After returning home from touring Europe with my band daste., the time on the road left me deeply inspired by Caribbean, reggae, disco, and funk. For the first time I felt a clear sense of direction for music that existed outside of the band.” MacDonald explains.
At the heart of the track is a raw, emotive acappella sample from Parbleu’s ‘Pas de Saints Au Paradis’, which MacDonald chops and weaves through understated drums, soft pads, guitar, and bass, allowing each element to bounce off the next and create the feeling of a real band playing together in a room. “This project is about following instinct, world influences, and creating groove-setting music that feels raw and rough around the edges,” he says.
The title ‘Paris Strut’ captures the track’s essence perfectly: a confident, effortless swagger inspired by wandering the streets of Paris, spring in step. It’s that same feeling that sparked the sonic identity of Monsieur Mellow, an outlet for movement, mood, and musical freedom.
With ‘Paris Strut’, Callum MacDonald sets the tone for a solo project driven by feel over perfection, groove over gloss, and instinct over expectation, marking an exciting new direction for one of Australia’s most versatile songwriters/producers.
Stream:
Socials:
https://linktr.ee/monsieurmellow
Credits:
Written by Callum MacDonald & Parbleu
Produced by Callum MacDonald
Mixed by Callum MacDonald
Mastered by Paul Blakey
Artwork by Callum MacDonald
Visuals by Callum MacDonald & Lauren Whitehill
Photos by Lauren Whitehill