If you’ve seen The Mary Wallopers live before, you’ll already know what you’re in for. If you haven’t, prepare for one of the most joyously chaotic live shows going around, the sort of gig that leaves you grinning from ear to ear and dancing down the aisles long after the band has left the stage.
The Irish folk firebrands are heading back down under in 2027, announcing their biggest Australian tour to date and their long-awaited New Zealand debut. Fresh from releasing their new album Paddywhackery, the Dundalk six-piece will bring their riotous live show to Christchurch, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in May 2027. It marks the band’s third visit to Australia, while Aotearoa fans will finally get their first chance to experience them in the flesh.
Led by brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy, The Mary Wallopers fuse centuries-old folk traditions with humour, political fire and a proudly rebellious streak. But as good as the records are, the band really comes alive on stage. Their shows are sweaty, communal and gloriously unhinged, with traditional folk songs, sharp-edged originals and a sense that the whole room might tip over into a party at any moment. They were last here in 2015, and it’s one of those shows that people keep telling us about.
The tour follows the release of Paddywhackery, produced by James Skelly of The Coral. The album sees the band broaden their sound while holding firm to the anti-establishment spirit that has helped make them such a force. Recent single “The Big Mixer” is a working-class rallying cry, dedicated to “all the people doing a hard day’s work and forced back to the Big Mixer to make profits for someone else.”
There are plenty of bands who sound great on record. The Mary Wallopers are one of those rare acts you really need to see live. Expect singing, dancing, chaos and an enormous amount of fun. See you there!
Frontier Members can access presale tickets HERE from Friday 9 October at 11am local time. General tickets go on sale Monday 12 October at 12pm local time.
The Mary Wallopers – Paddywhackery Live 2027
Australia & New Zealand tour dates
Saturday 15 May – James Hay Theatre | Christchurch, NZ | 18+ – tickets HERE
Tuesday 18 May – The Tivoli | Brisbane, QLD – 18+ – tickets HERE
Friday 21 May – Enmore Theatre | Sydney, NSW – 18+ – tickets HERE
Saturday 22 May – Forum | Melbourne, VIC – 18+ – tickets HERE
Tuesday 25 May – Metropolis Fremantle | Perth, WA – 18+ – tickets HERE
For full tour and ticketing details, visit frontiertouring.com/themarywallopers.
Header image credit: Tom Beard
