If you haven’t come across Rum Jungle yet, now is a very good time to fix that. The Newcastle four-piece have spent the past few years quietly building a reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting live bands — selling out shows across the UK, Europe and North America along the way — and now they’re bringing their biggest headline run to date to Australia and New Zealand in support of their sophomore album Marginalia, out June 5.
The tour kicks off right here in Aotearoa, with three New Zealand dates before the band heads across the Tasman. Auckland’s Tuning Fork on June 11, San Fran in Wellington on June 12, and Christchurch’s Wunder Bar on June 13 — all ages shows, with support from sleepazoid and Local the Neighbour. The Australian leg then takes them through Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart through to July.
Marginalia introduces a band stepping into a new level of confidence and range. The album’s recent singles — ‘Coal Dust’, ‘What’s Next’ and the introspective new track ‘Lowlife’ — showcase a sound that’s expanding without losing the sharp melodies and raw immediacy that built their following in the first place. Of ‘Lowlife’, the band put it simply: “This one’s a big belter about not feeling yourself. Sometimes your brain can get in the way and you forget that it can be better to leave it all behind.” Honest, direct and immediately relatable — very Rum Jungle.
Their live shows are known for blurring the line between indie-rock urgency and full-room sing-along instinct. The kind of gig where everyone leaves slightly sweaty and very happy. Get in early.
Pre-order Marginalia and grab tickets below.