2023 started with a bang when it came to big international acts touring Australia. Arctic Monkeys, Elton John, Fred Again…, Sting. It was wild. And 2024 is only getting better, with the next few weeks set to bring some big internationals down to our shores.
Every few months, we’re going to be taking stock of some of the most exciting Australian tours going down. Why? Well, the trend of people picking up tickets last minute is only going to get more salient from here. Cost of living means that we’re planning more things last minute than in advance, so consider this a nice little nudge.
BLACKstreet & Montell Jordan
You’ve seen DJs spin “No Diggity” and heard numerous covers of the classic R&B tune. Now it’s about time you saw it live. BLACKstreet will be heading down to Australia in just a few weeks, with fellow 90s hitmaker Montell Jordan for a double-bill. CBD and Kulcha on support as well. If you’re a fan of 90’s R&B this is one you can’t miss.
Tuesday 23rd January – Metro City, Perth
Thursday 25th January – The Tivoli, Brisbane
Friday 26th January – Forum, Melbourne
Sunday 28th January – Enmore Theatre
Tickets via Delta Bravo
Raye
From “Hard Out Here” to “Black Mascare”, Raye’s sharp, witty songwriting and piercing voice is going to be one of the highlights of this year’s Laneway Festival. Of course, demand has pushed for a string of sideshows as well and tickets are still available for the following dates.
Wednesday 31st January – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Thursday 1st February – Forum, Melbourne
Tickets from Handsome Tours
Queens of the Stone Age
Need we say more? If you’ve ever listened to a QOTSA album, you know Josh Homme and his merry band of rock gods are one of the most diverse, stylish and talented rock bands up of our time. Demand has already been ridiculous for tickets so grab your sense of urgency, throw on Songs for the Deaf and get ready to mosh at one of nine Australian shows. Yes, nine.
Saturday 10th February – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth
Tuesday 13th February – The Drive, Adelaide
Friday 16th February – MONA FOMA – Mona Lawns, Hobart
Sunday 18th February – Lookout: Torquay Common, Torquay
Monday 19th February – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbounre
Wednesday 21st February – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Thursday 22nd February – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Saturday 24th February – Lookout: Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast
Sunday 25th February – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Monday 26th February – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Tickets from Live Nation
The Chemical Brothers
Big beat masterminds and one of the greatest EDM acts in the world. The Chemical Brothers haven’t been out here since Future Music Festival was a thing, so now is the best chance to dust off that hangover from Eric Prydz last year and put your rave boots back on. It’s going to be a wild show.
Tuesday 27th February – Riverstage, Brisbane
Thursday 29th February – Sydney Showground, Sydney
Saturday 2nd March – Mt Dundeed Estate, Geelong
Tickets from Frontier Touring
Sampha
One of the smoothest crooners in the world. Sampha’s aching, vulnerable voice has wow’d capacity crowds in Australia before. The man’s very welcome return down under should be no different as he joins the contingent of big names touring at the end of February.
Monday 26th February – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Tuesday 27th February – Tivoli, Brisbane
Friday 1st March – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
Sunday 3rd March – Perth Festival, Perth
Tickets from Handsome Tours
Matchbox Twenty
Is Matchbox Twenty still one of the great pop-rock bands in history? I’d say yes. Plenty of people would say. But hard disagree on that one. Rob Thomas is still one of the sharpest and most expressive songwriters in the once-popular genre, and while modernity may have blunted this style of music of the years, it says a lot that songs like “Bent” and “Real World” are still so damn infectious and likeable. Catch the highly influential band running across some of our best arenas at the tail-end of February for their Slow Dream tour. And yes, they play all the hits.
The best part? Goo Goo Dolls are on support as well.
Tuesday 13th February – RAC Arena, Perth
Thursday 15th February – Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, Adelaide
Friday 16th February – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Saturday 17th February – Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley
Tuesday 20th February – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
Thursday 22nd February – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Friday 23rd February – GIO Stadium, Canberra
Saturday 24th February – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
Monday 26th February – Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast
Tuesday 27th February – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
Tickets via TEG.
