PROTOMARTYR - 2026 AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED
“The best band we've got in America right now…” Iggy Pop
“A desolate, apocalyptic sound to match these depressing times.” The Independent
“…slow-burn apocalypse of ennui and injustice.” The Guardian
Motor City post punk faves Protomartyr return to Australia in 2026, bringing their anthemic atmospheric darkness after an 8 year absence.
The Midwest outfit, touted as favourite band to a long list of luminaries and contemporaries alike, have issued a rich six album catalogue of essential post punk all processed through the gritty city filter of Detroit and the local guitar bands that came before them.
Protomartyr have mastered the art of evoking place: the grinding Midwest humility of their hometown, as well as the x-rayed elucidation of America that comes with their vantage.
The group’s sixth album was recorded at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, TX with producer Jake Aron. “The desert is more of a metaphor or symbol,” singer Joe Casey says, “of emotional deserts, or a place or time that seems to lack life.”
The “growth” came from a period of colossal transition for Casey, including the death of his mother. But life does go on, and Casey describes the great theme of Formal Growth In The Desert as an embrace and acknowledgment of that fact: a 12-song testament to “getting on with life,” even when it feels impossibly hard.
Joining Protomartyr in Sydney are garage powerpop supergroup Antenna featuring members of Royal Headache & Neighbours, along with rising post punk outfit Bennetts Grove. In Melbourne Protomartyr host Naarm buzz trio Npcede, with barrelling Adelaide noise rockers Twine and Brisbane's Craning.
PROTOMARTYR AUSTRALIA 2026
Tix Onsale THU 16 APRIL 11am
SYDNEY - THURSDAY 18th JUNE
MARY’S UNDERGROUND
with ANTENNA & BENNETTS GROVE
MELBOURNE - FRIDAY 19th - JUNE
THE NIGHT CAT
with NPCEDE, TWINE & CRANING
BRISBANE - SATURDAY 20TH JUNE
AGAINST THE GRAIN
HOBART- SUNDAY 21ST JUNE
DARK MOFO
