The international tours are back and there are some incredible acts touring Australia in February. We’ve picked five of our favourites bands and artists that are performing.
Ed Sheeran
Hundreds of thousands of tickets have been sold to Ed Sheeran’s upcoming stadium + – = ÷ x Tour – (pronounced ‘The Mathematics Tour’). It’s going to be HUGE. The reviews for the tour overseas have described it as spectacular with next-level production values. These are going to be very special shows indeed.
You might have missed the details about the supports. In Australia and New Zealand, UK rising star Maisie Peters will be performing at all shows in Australia and New Zealand (see below for more information about Maisie). ARIA Award winner Budjerah will also be playing at all shows in Australia.
Ed Sheeran Australian Tour Dates
With special guests Maisie Peters (UK) and Budjerah (AU)
Head HERE for remaining tickets
Thursday 02 February – Sky Stadium, Wellington
Friday 10 February – Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday 11 February – Eden Park, Auckland
Friday 17 February – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday18 February – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sun 19 February – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Friday 24 February – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Saturday 25 February – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Thursday 02 March – Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne
Friday 03 March – Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne
Tuesday 07 March – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Sunday 12 March – Optus Stadium, Perth
Empire of the Sun
One of the most spectacular live shows I’ve seen is Empire of the Sun. I’ve seen them at the Sydney Opera House and the Maitland edition of Groovin the Moo, and both times they were outstanding. Their songs are super catchy, it’s theatrical and beautifully choreographed. Ok – maybe they shouldn’t be considered ‘International’ – given their Australian heritage, but they have such universal appeal, and we couldn’t resist including them here.
If you are in Victoria, you can catch them at the Now & Again festival on the 18th February. As an aside, the Now & Again festival, held at Werribee Racecourse has a sensational lineup. As well as Empire of the Sun, it also has Gang of Youths, Tones and I, Sven Väth, Michael Bibi, Crooked Colours, Peach PRC, Running Touch + more performing.
Sydney-siders can catch Empire of the Sun at the Enmore Theatre on the 21st and 22nd of February, before they head to Brisbane on the 25th.
Empire of the Sun Australian Tour Dates
Saturday 18 February- Now & Again Festival, Melbourne – tics HERE
Tuesday 21 February- Enmore Theatre, Sydney – tics HERE
Wednesday 22 February- Enmore Theatre, Sydney – tics HERE
Saturday 25 February- Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane – tics HERE
Pavement
Pavement have proved to be one of the most influential bands to emerge from the ’90s. They are returning to Australia for their first live shows since 2010, so understandably there has been some major buzz about their upcoming shows.
They’ve also enlisted some stellar supports for their shows in Australia. Fremantle psych-rockers Pond are the support in Perth. Lead-singer Nick Allbrook always captivates. In Adelaide, locals Bad//Dreems will be bringing their spectacular live show to Thebarton Theatre. Brisbane will be treated to Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Sydney and Thirroul will have Melbourne four-piece Floodlights and Melbourne will be supported by Romero.
There are still a few tickets left for Perth, Adelaide, Thirroul and Brisbane – so don’t hesitate. Remember, it was twelve years since their last visit.
Pavement Australian Tour Dates
With special guests Bad//Dreems (Adelaide), Floodlights (Thirroul/Sydney), Pond (Perth), Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (Brisbane) and Romero (Melbourne)
Wednesday 22 February – Perth Concert Hall, Perth – tics HERE
Friday 24 February – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide – tics HERE
Tuesday 28 February – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane – tics HERE
Wednesday 1 March – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul – tics HERE
Thursday 2 March – Enmore Theatre, Sydney – SOLD OUT
Friday 3 March – Palais Theatre, Melbourne – SOLD OUT
Bon Iver
Bon Iver are returning for their first shows since Sydney Vivid in 2016. I first saw them in 2012 they’ve been a must-see ever since. They will be playing headline shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. They will also be performing at MONA FOMA in Hobart, Perth Festival and WOMADelaide.
Supporting Bon Iver on his headline shows (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne) will be Gordi.
Bon Iver Australian Tour Dates
Friday 17 February – Aware Super Theatre, SYDNEY – tics HERE
Saturday 18 February – Aware Super Theatre, SYDNEY – tics HERE
Tuesday 21 February – MONA FOMA, HOBART – tics HERE
Sunday 26 February – Perth Festival – SOLD OUT
Thursday March 2 – Riverstage, Brisbane – tics HERE
Saturday March 4 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne – tics HERE
Saturday March 5 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne – tics HERE
Friday March 10 – Womadelaide, Adelaide – tics HERE
Maisie Peters
Maisie Peters is undoudtedly one of the UK’s hottest rising talents. At only 21 years of age, her witty and observational songs have amassed over 845 million streams worldwide. She has been signed to Ed Sheeran’s Gingerbread Records label – and it’s no surprise that she is opening for him on his Australian and NZ shows. Many of the Australian gigs have sold out, but there are currently still a few tickets left for the Byron Bay and Fremantle shows.
Maisie Peters Australian Tour Dates
Thursday 16 February – The Northern Hotel, Byron Bay NSW – tics HERE
Tuesday 21 February – The Triffid, Brisbane QLD – SOLD OUT
Tuesday 28 February – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW – SOLD OUT
Saturday 4 March – Prince Of Wales, Melbourne VIC – SOLD OUT
Sunday 5 March – Prince Of Wales, Melbourne VIC – SOLD OUT
Saturday 11 March – Freo. Social, Perth WA – tics HERE
Header photo: Ed Sheeran – credit: Zac Walters
