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Photography: Jake Harm Nam
Words: Josh Ma – Photography: @JordanKMunns
There’s something fitting about Genesis Owusu returning to the Enmore Theatre, a venue he last visited with a certain infamy, having quite literally broken the floor during his previous run through Sydney. Whether that story has grown in the telling or not, it hangs in the air tonight like a dare. The crowd arrived ready to test the theory again.
The last time Sydney got a proper Owusu headline show it was at the Opera House, which felt like a statement. Tonight felt like a homecoming, sweatier, louder, and considerably less civilised. Exactly as it should be.
He enters not as himself but as the character, the pirate radio DJ, the broadcaster from the fringe. The whole set is framed as Red Star Wu’s pirate radio station, and from the jump with “Pirate Radio”, the crowd buys in completely. It’s a smart conceit; it gives the show a theatrical spine and lets Owusu move between moods and modes without it feeling scattered.
“Stampede” follows and the pit responds accordingly, with a proper head-banging opener sequence from the new record the left hand side of the enmore balcony from a 16 year old wearing his merch. Then things shift, “Waitin’ On Ya” and “Hellstar” bring some groovy, mellow warmth to proceedings, the latter bleeding between songs in a way that feels genuinely inventive. The organs on “WUTD” took the room briefly to church, pulling out an unexpected 80s glow that you didn’t know you needed. He’s got a gift for that kind of tonal whiplash, keeping you slightly off-balance, always second-guessing what’s coming next.
“Right Now Interlude” is where the room gets quiet in a different way. This is Owusu’s manifesto moment, touching on everything from the mines in Congo to Palestine, naming the weight of being alive in this particular era. It’s earnest and uncomfortable in the best possible way. Not every artist earns that space but he does. “The Worldwide Scourge” and “Most Normal American Voter” follow as a kind of political double act, and for the latter he moves into the middle of the room, surrounded on all sides, crowd closing in. It’s one of the better uses of space you’ll see at the Enmore, a venue that’s intimate enough for it to really land.
Then the switch flips again. “4LIFE” restarts the mosh, at one point Owusu shouts out Andrew Tate in the most gleefully pointed way possible, dedicating the chaos accordingly. The run from there through “Blessed Are The Meek”, “Death Cult Zombie”, “Life Keeps Going” and “Big Dog” is relentless, the band locking in tight. The KFC fans went completely feral during “Get Inspired (Remix) / What Comes Will Come”, the kind of performance that makes you stop and just watch someone do their thing.
“Don’t Need You” closes the main set, one of those choruses that has soundtracked spontaneous singalongs at every festival this summer without anyone really planning it. It’s a genuinely weird time to be alive, Owusu notes, and nobody in the room seems to disagree.
The encore brings things back to the pirate radio conceit, a reminder of the community this whole thing has been building. ONE4ALL does exactly what the title promises, before he closes the night with “Leaving the Light”, a song that somehow makes a room full of sweaty, wrung-out people feel completely still.
Genesis Owusu is one of the most genuinely interesting performers this country has produced, and tonight at the Enmore was a reminder of exactly why.
The floor held. This time.
How would you describe where you’re at musically right now, and what led you there over the course of making this EP?
I’ve leant much further into a pop soundscape with this project, as I think is evident with the singles I have been releasing over the last year. This sound evolved partly from the collaboration of working with my co writer/producer Cam, as this sonic world is clearly a strength of his. The music naturally arrived in the overlap between my indie/folk influences and his talent for creating a pop banger.
What did your recording process actually look like day to day?
I was usually only in Sydney for two days at a time — so quite rushed, but a lot of fun.
I’d land on a Saturday morning, grab a coffee with Cam & resident studio dog Wookie, and head straight to the studio, only really emerging for coffee or dinner and often returning after dinner to finish up pretty late. Then it was back in the studio to do the last of the vocals Sunday morning — come nightfall, I was back on a plane!
Where did most of the recording take place, and how did those environments shape the feel of the songs?
For the most part we recorded in Sydney, except for track ‘Better’, which was made right here in Melbourne. Still, ‘Grocery Store’ is kind of the anomaly, being the only song I’d written alone and sometime before the others. Travelling back and forth to Sydney to record & write sounds cumbersome, but actually worked quite well for me. Having somewhere you’re visiting for the sole purpose of being creative is a luxury in its own right and sets up the right mental space to dive in deep.
How did you approach the songwriting for this project, and did that differ from how you’ve written in the past?
Actually yes, this is the first project I’ve had co writers involved in the whole way. Each of the songs felt like a single in their own right, but still cohesive enough sonically and topically to form an EP. I’ve come to really enjoy the collaboration of writing a track with the producer — it’s a form of creating that I can’t do as well on my own, but allows me to get into a different space.
When you’re building a song, what tends to come first for you, the lyrics, the melody, or the overall feeling?
It can change; usually the overall concept — but that might only become apparent after stumbling into a lyric. I think it can change over time. I used to start more with chords that would drag something to the surface I could then explore.
Was this EP written over a long period of time or in a more focused window?
Aside from Grocery Store, which still had a little workshopping, the writing was done within maybe 12 months total.
At what point did the project start to feel cohesive to you?
Cam and I started working together intending on recording Grocery Store, but we ended up writing 10 Seconds of Silence. After deciding to fly back to Sydney and finish 10SOS, Phase emerged when we had a few hours to spare. So pretty quickly it was obvious we were onto something that deserved to be followed through as its own body of work. Better was the sweet & moody final touch that, while maybe a little unique to the others, felt to me like the final touch to complete Rust’s narrative.
What challenged you the most while making this EP, either creatively or personally?
Distance was definitely a challenge we had chosen to take on, recording remotely or flying between states. Creatively speaking, I sometimes worried this pop focused direction might be too much of a departure from what I’d previously thought was ‘me’, but the production and arrangements we settled on I couldn’t have been happier with. I think the style does the music justice and walked the line beautifully between my previous releases and the more mature sound I was chasing.
What role did collaboration play in both the writing and recording process?
The whole project was collaborative! I went into these sessions more hands off than I had ever been before — meaning I didn’t come in with specific preconceived ideas for the most part. Showing up with some influences, maybe a concept or story to tell, and letting my collaborators shape the final product was refreshing & exciting.
Looking back now, what do you think this EP captures about you at this point in your life?
The title felt fitting for its imagery — how the presence of rust acknowledges a chapter of time is irretrievable or can never be quite the same. The songs detail a chapter of my life from start to end, of making difficult choices & finding the confidence to push forward.
When someone listens from start to finish, what kind of experience do you hope it creates for them?
If listeners really dive into the lyrics (which of course I hope they will), it’s partly my intention that they can find a piece of themselves reflected somewhere in the stories. The songs are ordered chronologically, so in a random order I expect they could sound a bit separate, but I’m really proud of the little world that lives within each track.
LAUNCH SHOW TICKETS – WORKERS CLUB – MAY 23, 2026
The air inside Sydney’s Metro Theatre on Sunday night was thick with sweat, anticipation, and the unmistakable hum of a global breakout moment. Fresh off the internet-breaking success of his viral hit “Big Dawgs,” Indian rap phenomenon Hanumankind made his highly anticipated Australian headline debut on May 17. The OTW Tour stop felt less like a standard concert and more like a heavy, high-octane celebration, proving that his sonic grip extends far beyond smartphone screens.
From the second the lights dropped, the crowd matching every syllable of his relentless, Southern-fried flows. Local support from The Browns and Ashwarya set the baseline, but the room completely fractured into chaos when the main act took center stage. Mosh pits opened up effortlessly across the floor, driven by a raw, bass-heavy energy that hasn’t been seen at the George Street venue in months.
Our cameras were down in the trenches of the pit to capture the sweat, the strobe lights, and the pure crowd pandemonium. Scroll through the exclusive gallery below to see exactly how Hanumankind conquered Sydney.
Photography: Jake Harm Nam
Photography: Jake Harm Nam
Heavy bass shook the concrete floors of Sydney’s UNSW Roundhouse on Thursday night (14/05/26) as Maggie Lindemann tore through a sold-out room. Stopping in town for her I Feel Everything tour, the California singer gave fans zero room to breathe, launching straight into a high-octane setlist that kept the floor shaking from the first chord. Our photographer fought through a sea of hands to capture the sweat, the strobe-lit chaos, and the raw vocal power of a classic alt-punk night.
Bestselling author, award-winning podcast host and purpose-driven entrepreneur to bring his transformational live experience to Australia
Tickets on sale from $89 at TICKETS
Wanderlust True North is proud to announce globally renowned author, podcast host and purpose-driven entrepreneur Jay Shetty as the next guest in its celebrated live conversation series, bringing one of the world’s most influential voices in mindfulness, connection and personal growth to Australian audiences this November.
Following his sold-out tour in 2023 Jay Shetty returns to Australia with a brand-new show, bringing his live experience to the stage for a powerful three-day tour. Appearing at The Plenary on Friday, 13 November in Melbourne before heading to the Tik Tok Centre in Sydney on Saturday, 14 November and wrapping up in Brisbane on Monday, 16 November at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Presented by Wanderlust True North, audiences can expect a live, transformative experience with Jay Shetty blending powerful storytelling with practical insights you can take beyond the room.
“I’m honoured and excited to bring my speaking series to Australia this spring and connect with like-minded individuals through purposeful mindfulness,” said Jay Shetty.
Exploring the four decisions that shape your entire life: how you feel about yourself, how you make money, who you choose to love, and how you serve the world. Through raw storytelling, life-changing insights, and practical wisdom you can immediately apply, Jay will challenge the way you think about success, purpose, relationships, and fulfillment. This is more than a talk – it’s about the actions you take, the decisions that shape your life, and the lasting transformation that stays with you long after you leave the room.
Quote from Wanderlust Founder, Radek Sali: “Jay has an extraordinary ability to connect with people across generations and cultures through honesty, compassion and insight, his conversations go far beyond inspiration — they leave audiences feeling empowered with tangible tools and a renewed perspective on how they live and connect.”
Known for his ability to connect deeply with audiences through powerful storytelling and practical wisdom, Jay Shetty has built a global community inspired by purpose, relationships, mental wellbeing, and personal transformation. His chart-topping podcast, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, reaches more than 35 million listeners monthly and has featured conversations with some of the world’s most influential figures including Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Sir Lewis Hamilton, Chris Hemsworth, Kim Kardashian, Emma Watson, Kobe Bryant, Selena Gomez and Tom Hanks.
Jay is the bestselling author of Think Like A Monk and 8 Rules of Love, books that have resonated with millions around the world for their ability to translate timeless wisdom into practical tools for modern life. His work continues to redefine the wellness conversation by making self-growth accessible, actionable, and grounded in real human experience.
TOUR DETAILS
JAY SHETTY LIVE – THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!
Melbourne – Friday 13 November – The Plenary
Sydney – Saturday 14 November – Tik Tok Arena
Brisbane – Monday 16 November – BCEC – Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets are on-sale from $89.00
This will be a rare opportunity to experience Jay Shetty live — an uplifting and thought-provoking evening designed to leave you inspired, grounded and equipped with tools to navigate modern life with greater clarity and purpose.
Maggie Lindemann is heading back to Australia in May 2026 and this time she is arriving with more confidence, more intensity and a completely evolved sound. Following the success of her previous Australian appearances, the singer songwriter will return for a five date national tour that celebrates her latest album I FEEL EVERYTHING.
For fans who have followed Lindemann from her early breakout singles through to her darker alternative era, this tour feels like a defining moment. She is no longer experimenting with identity or sound. She has fully stepped into her own lane and audiences are responding in a major way.
Blending emotional lyricism with explosive pop rock energy, Lindemann has become one of the most recognisable voices in modern alternative pop. Her music moves between vulnerability and chaos with ease, drawing influence from emo, punk and industrial pop while still delivering hooks that stay with listeners long after the song ends.
Her latest album I FEEL EVERYTHING captures that evolution perfectly. The record dives into heartbreak, healing, anxiety and self discovery while pushing her sound into heavier and more cinematic territory. It is personal, raw and unapologetically honest, which is exactly why fans have connected with it so deeply.
The Australian run begins in Perth before moving through Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Each venue offers an intimate but high energy setting that suits Lindemann’s emotionally charged performances.
Australian Tour Dates
May 10 — Perth — Magnet House
May 12 — Adelaide — The Gov
May 14 — Sydney — Roundhouse
May 15 — Melbourne — Forum Melbourne
May 17 — Brisbane — The Tivoli
Fans attending the shows can also access VIP packages that include early entry, exclusive merchandise, signed memorabilia and a meet and greet experience with Lindemann.
Part of what makes Maggie Lindemann stand out in today’s music landscape is her ability to connect so directly with her audience. Her songs feel unfiltered and personal, and that honesty carries into her live performances. Whether she is delivering emotionally heavy ballads or explosive crowd favourites, there is an intensity to her shows that leaves a lasting impression.
With alternative pop continuing to dominate youth culture worldwide, Lindemann’s return to Australia arrives at the perfect time. The 2026 tour is shaping up to be more than just another run of shows. It feels like the arrival of an artist who has fully realised her creative identity and is ready to own every stage she steps onto.
Tickets for the tour are on sale now through Destroy All Lines
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One of Australia’s most successful global dance exports, Sonny Fodera is returning home to Australia for his ‘can we do it all again’ tour this October! He’ll be bringing his world-renowned house sound to Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. |
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PRESALE: Tuesday 5th May, 12pm AEST GENERAL ON SALE: Wednesday 6th May, 12pm AEST |
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Following sold-out tours across the UK, Europe and North America, and standout sets at global festivals including Creamfields, Tomorrowland and Coachella, Sonny Fodera returns home for his biggest Australian run to date. Off the back of a sold-out 2025 tour, demand is expected to be huge. Sign up now for your best chance at securing tickets. |
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TOUR DATES Thursday 15 October, 2026 | Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane / Meanjin |
Asia stops also announced today – include Bangkok, Manila, and Taipei
Frontier Touring and AEG Presents are thrilled to welcome back iconic artist group XG (Xtraordinary Genes) to Australia this October for the XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE.
Last in Australia in 2025, the group returns this year in what will be their biggest shows in market to date. This will be XG’s second world tour, promoting their first full album THE CORE – 核 with performances showcasing their signature styles, high-energy performances, powerful vocals, sleek choreography and their growth as a global act.
The group will visit Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne on Monday 12 October and Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on Wednesday 14th October. Frontier Members can access their presale from 12pm local time on Wednesday 6 May, before tickets go on sale Thursday 7 May from 1pm local time. Tickets and tour information via frontiertouring.com/xg.
Since their last visit, XG made their Coachella debut in 2025. As the only Japanese artist to perform that year, the group closed out the Sahara stage across both weekends, delivering electrifying performances. Their impressive stage presence and live vocals further cemented their global status.
XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE celebrates the group’s first full-length album THE CORE – 核, released this January to praise from fans and critics alike. Kicking off the tour in February to massive demand, with multiple sold out shows across their home of Japan in Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya and more, Aussie Alphaz can now expect to hear the group’s biggest hits and latest tracks live this October, with the show featuring performances of ‘LEFT RIGHT’, ‘WOKE UP’ and new songs – ‘HYPNOTIZE’ and ‘ROCK THE BOAT’ plus many more.
XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE IN ASIA & AUSTRALIA
Bangkok 19 July (Sun) IMPACT Arena
Manila 22 July (Wed) SM Mall of Asia Arena
Melbourne 12 October (Mon) Rod Laver Arena
Sydney 14 October (Wed) Qudos Bank Arena
Taipei 17 October (Sat) Taipei Arena
And more coming soon…
XG
XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE
OCTOBER 2026
Presented by Frontier Touring and AEG Presents
ALPHAZ ANNUAL PREMIUM/STANDARD・MONTHLY PAID MEMBERS PRESALE
Begins: Monday 4 May (11am local time)
xg.pasch.fan/
ALL ALPHAZ MEMBERS (INCLUDING FREE MEMBERS) PRESALE
Begins: Tuesday 5 May (11am local time)
xg.pasch.fan/
FRONTIER PRESALE
Begins: Wednesday 6 May (12pm local time)
via frontiertouring.com/xg
TICKETS ON SALE
Begins: Thursday 7 May (1pm local time)
ALL SHOWS ALL AGES
Monday 12 October
Rod Laver Arena | Melbourne, VIC
Lic. All Ages
ticketek.com.au
Wednesday 14 October
Qudos Bank Arena | Sydney, NSW
Lic. All Ages
ticketek.com.au
Patrons are advised to purchase tickets only through authorised ticket sellers.
We cannot guarantee any ticket purchase made through any means other than the official ticketing agents listed on the Frontier website.
FOLLOW XG:
Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | X | Facebook
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Multi-platinum US singer/songwriter Stephen Sanchez today announces he will bring The Lover Down Under Tour to Australia and New Zealand this July.
On his anticipated return, and after selling out and adding shows on his 2024 visit to satisfy demand, Stephen Sanchez will play theatre venues to all ages crowds*. Fans should prepare to fall in love all over again, as Stephen delivers his captivating show, timeless sound and heart-on-sleeve storytelling to audiences nationwide.
Earlier this month, Stephen Sanchez stepped onto one of music’s most legendary stages when he made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. With his vintage-leaning sound, swooning melodies, and unmistakable nods to 50s and 60s influences, Sanchez was right at home under the Opry lights – bridging eras in a way few modern artists can.
With just-released single ‘CHUCK THE MONEY’, Stephen Sanchez continues his incredible trajectory, further expanding his sonic universe that feels rooted in the past while always looking toward the future. Bolstered by a flourish of trumpets, Stephen urges listeners to shift their priorities from material things to true, powerful connection.
His highly anticipated sophomore album Love, Love, Love (out 8 May) sheds the character artifice and swoony, reverbed 50s/60s grooves of his debut record in lieu of bold, technicolour pop songs that still carry the lineage of his classic roots while stepping confidently into a vivid, modern new era. Across eleven tracks, Stephen muses about love in its many forms – partners, friends, neighbours, and even strangers. He shares, “This record is inspired by the love I’ve been lucky enough to receive, the love I sometimes struggle to give to others, and my desire to see people come together. To quote the title track, ‘it’s just what the world needs!’”
Stephen Sanchez has materialised at the forefront of popular culture with a sound that’s as timeless as it is necessary for the times. It’s easy to sway into the embrace of his breezy baritone stylings, warm guitar phrasing, and untouchable charisma.
Barely in his twenties, the singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer has already enchanted audiences around the world. The release of his debut album Angel Face and global hit ‘Until I Found You’ saw the world embrace the swoon-worthy artist, with the track going multi-platinum, vaulting into the Top 25 of the Billboard Hot 100, and generating over 2 billion streams.
This Australian and New Zealand return promises more than just a concert—it’s an experience. Expect sweeping melodies, cinematic moments, and the kind of raw, emotional performance that turns first-time listeners into lifelong fans. Whether you’ve been there since the beginning or only just discovered his music, this is your chance to witness an artist who’s redefining modern romance in real time.
Love, Love, Love is out 8 May. Pre-Order/Pre-Save the new record HERE
*All shows except Perth are all ages.
STEPHEN SANCHEZ
THE LOVER DOWN UNDER AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND TOUR
JULY 2026
Presented by Frontier Touring
FRONTIER MEMBERS PRESALE
via frontiertouring.com/stephensanchez
Runs 24 hours from: Thursday 23 April, 11am (local)
or until presale allocation exhausted
GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE
Begins: Friday 24 April, 12 noon (local)
SATURDAY 11 JULY
Christchurch Town Hall | Christchurch NZ (Lic. All Ages)
ticketmaster.co.nz
SUNDAY 12 JULY
Auckland Town Hall | Auckland NZ (Lic. All Ages)
ticketmaster.co.nz
WEDNESDAY 15 JULY
The Fortitude Music Hall | Brisbane QLD (Lic. All Ages)
ticketmaster.com.au
SATURDAY 18 JULY
Hordern Pavilion | Sydney NSW (Lic. All Ages)
ticketek.com.au
TUESDAY 21 JULY
Palais Theatre | Melbourne VIC (Lic. All Ages)
ticketmaster.com.au
SATURDAY 25 JULY
Thebarton Theatre | Adelaide SA (Lic. All Ages)
ticketmaster.com.au
TUESDAY 28 JULY
ICF: WAREHOUSE | Perth WA (18+)
eventbrite.com.au
FOLLOW STEPHEN SANCHEZ
stephensanchez.com | facebook.com/stephensanchezofficialmusic
Twitter: @stephensanchez | Instagram: @stephensanchezofficial
Spotify | YouTube
MG Live and Frontier Touring are thrilled to announce Australian indie-rock stalwarts The Temper Trap will embark on their highly anticipated national tour across September-October 2026.
Having just announced their new album Sungazer – dropping 10 July – the tour celebrates the band’s first full-length project in ten years, as they return with an explosive, anthemic sound and more confident than ever before.
The Temper Trap will kick off the tour at Forum Melbourne on Friday 11 September before heading to Brisbane for a set at Night At The Parkland on Saturday 12 September. The band head to Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide on Wednesday 16 September before a performance at Night At The Barracks, Sydney on Friday 18 September and rounding out with a final show at ICF:Warehouse, Perth on Friday 9 October.
Frontier Members can access their presale on Thursday 16 April from 10am local time, before tickets go on sale from 11am local time on Friday 17 April. Tickets and tour information via frontiertouring.com/thetempertrap.
Watch: The Temper Trap – Sungazer
A special release in the band’s career, Sungazer reflects nearly two decades of evolution, blending The Temper Trap’s signature sound with fresh experimentation. Tracks like ‘Lucky Dimes’ and ‘Giving Up Air’ showcase a shift toward electronic textures and dancefloor energy, while title track ‘Into the Wild’ balances introspection with powerful crescendos. The album veers from yearning intimacy to full-throttle catharsis, from guitar-riffing indie tunes to heavy electronica, all anchored in Dougy’s expansive, instantly recognisable voice.
The Temper Trap will hit the road in 2026 in a monumental way, having last toured their home country in 2025 with a series of intimate East Coast headline shows. Recently announced to support UK rockers Muse on their North American tour, as well as a definitive return to US shores alongside festival sets at Outside Lands (San Francisco) and Summerfest (Milwaukee) sharing the stage with the likes of The Strokes, Rüfüs Du Sol and Charli XCX, the band will share Sungazer with fans across the globe and close to home for the very first time.
Watch: The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition
Rising to global attention with their 2008 UK Top Ten debut single ‘Sweet Disposition’, the Melbourne locals quickly built an international following through their soaring vocals, reverb-heavy guitars, and anthemic choruses. Drawing from their debut album Conditions (2009) , the album achieved multi-platinum success in Australia and gold status in the UK, followed by The Temper Trap (2012) and Thick As Thieves (2016). One of the most sought-after bands to come out of Australia, they’ve accumulated billions of streams, won multiple ARIA Awards, and gained recognition from major global stages and tastemakers, with ‘Sweet Disposition’ cementing itself firmly in Australian music history.
Now, nearly twenty years after their breakthrough, The Temper Trap continue to evolve while staying true to their emotional core. With new music, collaborations, and now a national headline tour all in 2026, these unmissable live shows represent both a reinvention and a reaffirmation of what has made their music resonate: a powerful blend of personal vulnerability and communal, uplifting sound.
THE TEMPER TRAP
AUSTRALIAN TOUR
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026
Presented by MG Live and Frontier Touring
FRONTIER MEMBER PRESALE
via frontiertouring.com/thetempertrap
Runs 24 hours from: Thursday 16 April (10am local)
or until presale allocation exhausted
TICKETS ON SALE
Begins: Friday 17 April (11am local time)
Friday 11 September
Forum Melbourne | Melbourne, VIC
18+
ticketek.com.au
*Saturday 12 September
Night At The Parkland | Brisbane, QLD
Lic. All Ages
nightattheparkland.com.au
Wednesday 16 September
Hindley Street Music Hall | Adelaide, SA
18+
moshtix.com.au
*Friday 18 September
Night At The Barracks | Sydney, NSW
Lic. All Ages
nightatthebarracks.com.au
*Friday 9 October
ICF:Warehouse | Perth, WA
18+
icfpresents.com.au
*Not a MG Live/Frontier Touring show
Patrons are advised to purchase tickets only through authorised ticket sellers.
We cannot guarantee any ticket purchase made through any means other than the official ticketing agents listed on the Frontier website.
FOLLOW THE TEMPER TRAP:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music
Lismore-based media puzzle share their latest album New Racehorse, a 12-track collection that is a surreal commentary on modern existence: technology, love, death, responsibility, and ego, out today via Impressed Records. LISTEN ON SPOTIFY + APPLE + MORE.
Marking their fourth album, New Racehorse signifies a rebirth for the band. Since first emerging in 2023, they quickly made name for themselves for their drum machine-riddled, scuzzy post-punk sound, with Pitchfork firmly praising their last project Intermission as “uncanny creativity that egg-punk weirdos love to tout, residing somewhere between Suicide’s dark melodies and Uranium Club’s remote eccentricities”. Now with New Racehorse, they have ushered in a new phase, with a focus on experimentation and building outwards from their trademark sonically distorted sound, bringing eccentric samples and dynamic pace.
In a succession of releases, the record brings together singles ‘Knowledge’ and ‘More Horse, Less Code’, and welcomes ten new tracks, all written and recorded independently over the past year in a place of creative growth with emphasis on collaboration – “Instinct over Algorithm. Feeling over System. Body over Machine. Equine Finality.”
Drawing the album’s title from the track ‘Equine End of Life’ with the lyric “Drug me up, and put me down. There’s a New Racehorse in town” representing the death of the old media puzzle, lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Peters paints the picture of the record’s production process – one that steps back, takes the opportunity to experiment and makes an intentional shift.
Across the album, we hear moments like ‘New Pet’, ‘Out Of the Rain’, ‘I Don’t Care’, ‘Tea Time’ capture a sense of disorientation and hypnosis where larger forces dominate, before moving motions in the second half of the record, with tracks including ‘See You There’, ‘My Age, In Minutes And Seconds’, ‘Don’t Know You’, ‘Equine End Of Life’, ‘Robotic Love’ and ‘Outro’ offering up a reflective palette cleanser.
New Racehorse is an album grounded in reinvention and driven by curiosity. Taking their name from a 2002 Melbourne Cup-winning Irish racehorse, media puzzle is a Lismore-based band fronted by Tom Peter (lead vocals/guitar) with support from Kellie Eden (synth/trumpet), Eden Yeigh (guitar), Oliver Clarke (drums) and Solomon Jones (bass), who after a year of recording and touring with showcases at SXSW Sydney to stages with Ty Segall, Regurgitator and more, have stepped fully into their sound.
Focused and refined, New Racehorse is a bold departure from media puzzle‘s previous catalogue, once a model of fuzzy scuzz-pop, to now an otherworldly post-punk entity.
New Racehorse is out now via Impressed Records, buy/stream here.
TRACKLIST
Knowledge
New Pet
Out Of The Rain
I Don’t Care!
More Horse, Less Code
Tea Time
My Age, In Minutes And Seconds
Don’t Know You
See You There
Equine End of Life
Dead Dog!
Outro
TOUR DATES
Fri 24 Apr – The Tivoli – Meanjin/Brisbane*
Sat 24 Apr – Princess Theatre – Meanjin/Brisbane*
Fri May 1 – Liberty Hall – Gadigal/Sydney*
Sat May 2 – Keystone 1889 – Wiradjuri/Bathurst*
*supporting Regurgitator
Stay connected with media puzzle:
23 Profile | Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp
Embracing a vibrant new chapter of music, legendary NZ producer and artist SOLA ROSA presents his highly anticipated new project, IN THE MIDS. Created meticulously between Melbourne and Auckland, the album features some of SOLA ROSA’s most striking material yet, redefining his artistry and demonstrating new sonic potential still to be explored.
Featuring singles ‘Jupiter (ft. Iva Lamkum)’, ‘Losing Time (ft. Muroki)’ and the dynamic ‘Like A Light In The Dark (ft. BRŪDE)’, the record is a love letter to the mix of genres that has become the blueprint for his signature style of production and arrangement.
Upon a foundation of electronic patterns exists delicate shades of R&B, insatiable funk, compelling rhythms and attitude that is bolstered by the presence of a masterfully-curated cast of guest vocalists.
In addition to Iva Lamkum, Muroki and BRŪDE, the listener is able to lose themselves in different moments of IN THE MIDS where artists including Akosia (‘No Time For Love’), Blush’ko (‘We Try and We Lose’), Wallace (‘How Do You’) and Wilson Blackley (‘Dangerous’) take centrestage.
“This album began like all my others — I’d make a bunch of beats and see what stuck — but at first, I had no clear vision. I was still thinking in terms of a live band setup, and everything felt a bit rigid, too many rules. Then, during one of the final lockdowns in NZ, I watched a short video of renowned producer Decap saying, “just try and make a beat a day without judgement.” I gave it a go, and it was liberating — it brought real joy back into making music. Suddenly, it was okay to explore ideas that in the past might have felt outside my wheelhouse. After a few days, the music started pouring out in unexpected and fascinating directions. That’s how most of this album came together.
Once that approach became my norm, I had a much clearer sense of the sound I wanted — more dancefloor-friendly, heavy grooves, layered synths and arpeggiated textures, programmed beats, and strong vocal contributions. There’s still a signature Sola Rosa touch in there, with a mix of tempos, subtle and punchy, but ultimately this became an album focused on my production style rather than a live-band framework. Influences from the dance music I’d been DJing and listening to heavily at the time naturally crept in, shaping the direction of the beats and the overall energy. While some key players still feature, this is very much me as a producer exploring new terrain.” SOLA ROSA
Across SOLA ROSA’s lauded career, the producer has cultivated a global fanbase courtesy of impressive releases and appearances on stages throughout North America, the UK and Europe.
He has performed at festivals including Secret Garden Party (UK), WOMAD (NZ), Kendall Calling (UK), Green Man (UK) and Shambala (UK); while previous collaborations with artists including TALL BLACK GUY, DJ VADIM and HERMITUDE have further established SOLA ROSA as one of the best to come out of Aotearoa, with over 65 million streams to his name.
PRAISE
“Andrew Spraggon reaches for the big time”
MOJO (‘Chasing The Sun’, 2020) ★★★★
“..blooms with sensuality and sass”
ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE (‘Low & behold, High & Beyond’, 2012)
“Low And Behold is fresh and funky”
NZ HERALD (‘Low & behold, High & Beyond’, 2012) ★★★★
“Melodic Soul Poetry”
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD (‘Get It Together’, 2010) ★★★★
With IN THE MIDS out now, SOLA ROSA will be touring the record throughout Aotearoa this coming May & June.
SOLA ROSA ‘IN THE MIDS’ AOTEAROA TOUR DATES
Tickets via solarosa.com
Friday 22 May Double Whammy TĀMAKI MAKAURAU / AUCKLAND
Saturday 23 May Puketapu Community Hall HERETAUNGA / HAWKES BAY
Friday 29 May DeVille WHAKATŪ / NELSON
Saturday 30 May Hide ŌTAUTAHI / CHRISTCHURCH
Friday 5 June The Mayfair NGĀMOTU / NEW PLYMOUTH
Saturday 6 June San Fran PŌNEKE / WELLINGTON