For particularly keen live music fans in Australia, 2024 already promises some must-see dates on the calendar. Whether it’s our first Mark, Tom and Travis Blink-182 tour in nearly 20 years, a long-awaited visit from English synth-pop legends Depeche Mode or the return of pop star Pink, next year is shaping up to be huge.
Some of these dates are jarring but understandable reshuffles, from Mclusky’s postponed 20th anniversary show celebrating their 2002 album ‘Mclusky Do Dallas’, to Elvis Costello’s 11th hour exit from Byron Bay Bluesfest 2023. We’re sure to see more new announcements, however, as we approach 2024 and artists continue to join the reopened live music circuit.
Only time will tell if the speculation surrounding 2023’s biggest tours eventually coming to Australia becomes reality. Rumors have been flying thick and fast about Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which is going international after its US tour, while NSW Premier Chris Minns has said it would be “fantastic” if Beyoncé performed at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on her ‘Renaissance’ tour – pending the successful removal of a decades-old noise restriction.
keep up NME for more live music news in Australia.
Here are the concerts and tours coming to Australia in 2024:
McClusky
When: 2 – 9 January
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The current incarnation of Mclusky – frontman Andy “Falco” Falkous, drummer Jack Egglestone and bassist Damien Sayell – were due to tour Australia in January this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 2002 album ‘Mclusky Do Dallas’. In late 2022, those plans were pushed back to 2024 due to some ongoing ear issues experienced by Falkous.
Falco has provided periodic updates on his recovery via Twitter, and as it stands, the band is set to return in January next year. Fingers crossed all goes well and he’s back in good shape soon; and a visit from the band to kick start 2024 would be one of the best.
Blink 182
When: 8 – 27 February
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Longtime Blink fans don’t need to be told how special the American pop-punk legends’ upcoming tour is. The last time they visited the country in 2013, drummer Travis Barker sat out the shows as he was still recovering from jet lag. Since then guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge quit (in 2015) and rejoined (last year). Barker (who is now able to fly again) is on board for the upcoming dates, meaning next year’s gigs will be the first Mark, Tom and Travis shows to grace our shores since 2004.
When they arrive, they’ll have a new album in tow and – judging by their recent set at Coachella and the opening dates of their world tour – sound as good as they’ve done in a long time. To further sweeten the deal, Chicago punks Rise Against will join them on the run, playing their first Australian shows since 2019.
Pink
When: 9 February – 19 March
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Australia loves Pink and apparently she’s quite happy with her “home away from home” too. In 2009, she played 58 shows here as part of her Funhouse tour, performing to around 660,000 fans. In 2013, when she announced an Australian tour in support of sixth studio album ‘The Truth About Love’, 320,000 tickets were snapped up within a few hours of going on sale.
It therefore makes sense that the American singer-songwriter has a number of dates booked for her return in February and March next year, as part of her Summer Carnival world tour. She will bring songs from her ninth studio album ‘Trustfall’ to stadiums around the country, including stops in Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
Matchbox Twenty and Goo Goo Dolls
When: 13 – 27 February
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The flame has been lit: Matchbox Twenty is back. In 2022, the American pop rockers will release their first album since 2012 and embark on their first North American tour since 2017 – and Aussie dates are not far off.
During a latest podcast appearance, the band’s Rob Thomas and Paul Doucette said they will be “boots on the ground in Australia next year” and “bring some good friends” with them. On May 15, the band officially announced their first Aussie date in around 12 years – and special guests the Goo Goo Dolls. Together they will play nine arena shows over two weeks in February 2023.
Judy Collins
When: 6 – 15 March
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Originally set to tour back in March 2023, legendary American singer-songwriter Judy Collins will bring her extensive songbook to theaters and concert halls across the country in 2024. Collins’ first Australian visit in over a decade will see her perform her classic interpretations of ‘Both Sides Now’, ‘Amazing Grace’, her Grammy-winning cover of ‘Send in the Clowns’ and more.
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
When: 28 March – 4 April
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Costello and co’s plans for their first Australian tour in nearly a decade were dashed at the 11th hour in April. Less than 24 hours before their shows – in support of 2022 album ‘A Boy Named If’ – a case of COVID-19 in the band forced them to pull out of Byron Bay Bluesfest 2023 and postpone their overall tour dates.
The good news is that new dates are already locked in. Costello and the Imposters will headline next year’s edition of Bluesfest, playing headline concerts at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Palais Theatre. Previously purchased tickets for Costello’s headlining shows remain valid and are still on sale for most dates.
Niall Horan: ‘The Show’ Live On Tour
When: 26 April – 4 May
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Niall Horan is taking ‘The Show’ on the road down under in 2024. The former One Direction member’s world tour comes in support of his third solo album ‘The Show’, out on June 9. For the Australian part, he performs arena shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Tickets are available now here.
Depeche Mode
Aussie Depeche Mode fans are an incredibly patient bunch. The last time the British synth-pop titans toured the country was in 1994, which means it’s been nearly three decades since they last visited us. But good things come to those who wait and it seems there is a glimmer of hope for those hoping to catch the band Down Under.
Back in March, Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan told an Italian blog that the band were looking at “as yet unannounced dates in Asia and Australia” as part of a tour that will lead into 2024. The band is currently in the middle of a world tour in support for their latest album, ‘Memento Mori’, and a trip to Australia to finish the tour seems more likely than ever.
Keep checking NME for more Australian live music news – from festival updates to concert and tour announcements. Find our list of concerts Down Under in 2023 here