Author: Pete Dovgan

Glasgow art rock legends Franz Ferdinand headlined part of the On The Steps concert series at the iconic Sydney Opera House Forecourt. From the opening blast of “The Dark of the Matinée,” Alex Kapranos stalked the stage with the swagger of someone who knows exactly how to command a crowd, playing all the classics including…

Brooklyn art-rock shapeshifters TV On The Radio delivered one of the best gigs of 2025 leaving Sydney’s Enmore Theatre audience totally energised. Tunde Adebimpe, the magnetic lead singer, prowled the stage with the restless energy and Kyp Malone’s harmonies and guitar textures with the rest of the band adding to an emotionally charged gig. Song…

Doja Cat delivered a slick, high-voltage performance on her Ma Vie World Tour at Qudos Bank Arena, proving she’s one of pop’s most unpredictable forces. Commanding the stage with effortless swagger, she bounced between razor-sharp rap flows and glossy pop hooks, turning hits like “Paint the Town Red” and “Woman” into mass singalongs. Pete Dovgan…

English indie legends Kaiser Chiefs returned to Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album Employment and proved their debut still packs more bite than most bands’ entire careers. Lead singer Ricky Wilson bounded across the stage like a man fuelled by nostalgia and nitroglycerin, leading a crowd of old-school indie diehards…

Sharon Van Etten and The Attachment Theory played one of the best gigs of 2025 at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre. Van Etten is magnetic, she draws you in, her vocals are emotional and her lyrics are overwhelming in the best way, plus The Attachment Theory is super tight and like part of Van Etten’s family. Kicking…

For the first time in 20 years Split Enz have reunited with original members Tim Finn, Eddie Raynor, Noel Crombie and Neil Finn plus Matt Eccles on drums and James Milne on bass on the Forever Enz tour. The tour will celebrate the group’s extraordinary catalogue, from the theatrical brilliance of Mental Notes and Dizrythmia,…

Lenny Kravitz kicked off his Blue Electric Light Australian Tour in style to a packed out Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena. Opening with “Bring It On” Lenny exploded onto stage with a groove-heavy blast that set the tone for the night. Backed by his incredibly tight band consisting of Craig Ross his long-time lead guitarist, Hoonch…

Britpop icons Pulp are set to make their triumphant return to Australia in March 2026, headlining two very special open-air performances on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, their first Australian show in over a decade. Fronted by the incomparable Jarvis Cocker, Pulp will bring their legendary live show to one of the world’s most iconic…

British-Sri Lankan artist, rapper, and cultural icon M.I.A. returned to Sydney at the iconic Enmore Theatre with a stunning performance of songs from her back catalogue including “bamboo banger”, “bird flu”, “bad girls” and to the delight of her fans finishing the set with her massive hit “paper planes”. Warming up the crowd brilliantly was…

Atlanta punk powerhouse Upchuck are heading to Australia for the very first time, bringing their explosive live show to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne Blending raw punk fury with elements of garage rock, rap, and chaos, Upchuck have carved out a reputation as one of the most vital and unfiltered voices in the new American punk…

Alt-rock trailblazers Garbage will return to Australia this December for a run of exclusive headline theatre shows, marking their first visit since 2016. The tour will see the band perform in Melbourne, Adelaide and at the iconic Sydney Opera House. Led by the inimitable Shirley Manson, Garbage have spent nearly three decades redefining alternative rock…

Baltimore’s hardcore band Turnstile are set to make their return to Australia this summer on The Never Enough Tour with four massive shows in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Turnstile formed in Baltimore’s underground scene with their acclaimed 2021 album Glow On cementing their status as leaders of a new generation. With tracks like “Blackout”…

UK punk-rap agitators Sleaford Mods are returning to Australia in April 2026 for a run of headline shows on their No War No Death tour, the first time back since 2023. Armed with their trademark mix of razor-sharp social commentary and minimalist electronic beats, Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn will bring their latest single “Megaton”…

The First Annual Liberty Ball took place at Sydney’s Liberty Hall, featuring incredible international and local artists. Headlining the night was  Nashville-based American singer Nikki Lane and her band. Nikki has that cool vintage Americana twang sound with raspy vocals and absolutely killed it. On the outdoor stage were Laid Back Country Pickers all the…

Acclaimed London born singer-songwriter Joy Crookes has announced her long-awaited return to Australia in January 2026, with two special headline shows that promise to be as intimate as they are powerful. Since the release of her debut album Skin, Crookes has carved out her own space in modern soul, blending jazz, R&B and pop with…

Known for genre-bending hits like “Say So,” “Kiss Me More,” and the chart-topping “Paint The Town Red,” Doja Cat has become one of the most electrifying names in pop and hip hop. On stage blending razor-sharp choreography, surreal visuals, and a playful unpredictability that keeps fans on their toes. Every show is a full-throttle experience,…

This weekend saw legendary Sydney band Drop City play Sydney’s Factory Theatre to mark the 30th Anniversary of their seminal 1995 release Magic Transistor Radio. From the moment the first chords rang out, the crowd was transported back to the 90s psychedelia sounds from Drop City. The guitars shimmered with reverb-soaked textures, layered against a…

Dublin’s global alt-pop sensation CMAT is bringing her sharp wit, big choruses, and country-pop anthems to venues across Australia in January 2026. Following the global success of her latest album EURO-COUNTRY, CMAT is set to wow Aussie fans with her trademark mix of heartbreak anthems, sharp humour, and full-throttle theatricality. The tour takes place in…

London art-pop sensations The Last Dinner Party will return to Australia in January 2026 for a national headline tour. Following their acclaimed debut Prelude to Ecstasy and sold-out shows across Europe and North America, the band are set to bring their celebrated live show back to Australian stages. The Last Dinner Party are one of…

Brighton’s explosive punk duo Lambrini Girls are set to bring their riotous live energy to Australia for the very first time, announcing headline shows in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth February/March 2026. Lambrini Girls are vocalist Phoebe Lunny and guitarist Selin Macieira-Bosgelmez, are known for their sharp-witted political commentary, unapologetic stage presence, and a ferocious…

Global trailblazer and boundary-pushing icon M.I.A. is set to return to Australia in October 2025 for two exclusive headline performances in Melbourne and Sydney. Renowned for her genre-defying sound, political edge, and explosive live shows, M.I.A. has been a fearless voice in global music for nearly two decades. With smash hits like “Paper Planes”, “Bad…

Just announced Linkin Park return to Australia on their From Zero world tour with three massive shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in March 2026. This marks Linkin Park’s first Australian tour in over a decade, bringing fans both their classic hits “In the End”, “Numb”, “Crawling”, and “One Step Closer” and fresh material from…

Little Birdy on tour celebrating the 21st Birthday of their iconic debut album bigbiglove played at Sydney’s Manning Bar on a very wet and miserable Saturday night. Little Birdy delivered the entire album with heartfelt precision, breathing revitalised life into each song. “Beautiful to Me” carried its original charm with the crowd singing along to every…

Tick Tick Boom! The Hives just laid proof as title holders to the current “Best Live Rock and Roll Bands In The World” with a wild performance from the Swedish Kings at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre. Led by the marquee of lead singers Howlin Pelle Almqvist, his lethal brother Niklas on guitar plus their dangerous band…

Legendary rock ‘n’ roll trailblazer Jon Spencer returns to Australia this spring with his kick ass band to sing the hits from his discography of bands including Blues Explosion, Pussy Galore, Hitmakers, Boss Hog and more. Remember the insane Blues Explosion’s performance on ABC’s Recovery? see below Spencer will unleash his unmistakable fusion of punk,…

British rock legends The Darkness have announce their highly anticipated Dreams On Toast Tour and are set to ignite stages across Australia and New Zealand in February/March 2026. The tour promises a heady mix of new anthems and classic hits like “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”, “Love Is Only a Feeling”, and “Growing…

Acclaimed British metalcore band Architects have officially announced their Australian Tour 2025, marking their powerful return to the east coast of Australia. Renowned for their dynamic live performances and genre-defying sound, Architects will bring their electrifying energy to fans in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. This announcement follows a monumental year for the band, riding high…

Faye Webster on her Underdressed At The Symphony Australian tour delivered an impressively intimate set, showcasing her laid-back folk and cool indie‑rock with her exceptional band at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre. Hailing from Atlanta Georgia, Faye beautifully played tracks from her back catalogue to a sold out Enmore Theatre the first of two sold out shows…

Iconic British rock band Transvision Vamp is back and ready to electrify Australian audiences with a highly anticipated Australian Tour, marking their first major return in decades. Known for their rebellious spirit, chart-topping hits, and dynamic frontwoman Wendy James they will ignite with their signature raw energy and glam-punk edge across venues around Australia. Best…

Nikki Lane and her band will headline the first ever Annual Liberty Ball at Sydney’s Liberty Hall on a special night celebrating everything Americana, Country and Western. Nikki Lane is an American singer-songwriter known for her distinctive blend of outlaw country, rockabilly, and Americana music. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, she combines a vintage Southern…