The Swedish heavy metal icons return down under after a three year absence.
Image supplied
The reckoning has arrived! Swedish heavy metal brutes Avatar are finally returning, announcing a run of shows across Australia and New Zealand.
Touching down across August and September for their first visit in three years, the groove metal outfit is touring in support of their 2025 album, Don’t Go In The Forest.
The band has received high praise from critics for their live shows, with Everblack Media calling Johannes Eckerstrom “one of the greatest frontmen of our time” with the “flair and theatrics of Alice Cooper crossed with the charisma and vocal ability of Freddy Mercury and Bruce Dickinson,” while York Calling wrote that Avatar are “an unmissable spectacle from start to finish.”
Avatar’s tour begins in Adelaide at Lion Arts Factory on Wednesday 26 August. Dates follow at Melbourne’s Northcote Theatre on Friday 28 August, Sydney’s Manning Bar on Saturday 29 August and Brisbane’s Princess Theatre on Sunday 30 August, before the band wrap things up in Auckland at the Powerstation on Tuesday 1 September.
Pre-sale begins 9am AEDT Friday 27 March, with general on-sale taking place 9am Monday 30 March. Full ticketing information is available at thephoenix.au.
READ MORE: Deafheaven Announce Australian and New Zealand Tour 2026
Founded in 2001, five-piece Avatar have blazed a path through the Nordic metal scene with their infectious and melodic metal creations.
Over the past 25 years, they’ve released 10 albums, with 2018’s Avatar Country, which was produced by Jay Ruston (Stone Sour, Anthrax, Steel Panther), peaking at #2 on the US Independent Albums Chart.
Avatar also scored a #1 on the iTunes Rock and Metal Albums Charts with Dance Devil Dance, and are excited to make their way back to Australia and New Zealand this August.
Catch Avatar at Lion. Arts Factory on Wednesday 26 August. Ticketing information available at thephoenix.au.
Avatar Australian and New Zealand Tour 2026
Wednesday 26 August – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide, SA
Friday 28 August – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 29 August – Manning Bar, Sydney, NSW
Sunday 30 August – Princess Theatre, Brisbane, QLD
Tuesday 1 September – Powerstation, Auckland, NZ
The metalcore beasts are touring their latest album, Season of Surrender.
The Sydney singer-songwriter has also announced the release of her fourth album, The Gem.
The Welsh rock trio’s new album Modern Life is Lonely drops this August.
The singer-songwriter and producer is playing Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
The acclaimed event is one of the longest-running music festivals in Australia.
The band will be joined on tour by Diesect, Darkmatter and Kids Cultists.
The Kaytetye producer and DJ continues to push the boundaries of electronic music with her latest release.
The Aussie duo are hitting the road this September and October for a run of shows.
The indie rock icons are hitting the road in support of their new album, I Built You A Tower.
The Perth outfit is also conducting several special in-store album release signings over the next week.
Bob Evans will play his seminal album in full on the tour.
The Canberra outfit are playing Adelaide Beer & BBQ Fest in July.
Catch the Grammy-nominated rapper in Adelaide this October.
The band’s upcoming album Tally is out on Friday, 24 July via Poison City Records.
The track arrives alongside an epic music video featuring both acts.
The band will be joined on the road by Ratcat and The Stems.
The South Australian festival also features performances from Kita Alexander, The Teskey Brothers and Old Mervs.
Catch Miss Kaninna live when she hits the road this August and September.
The deathcore outfit is also hitting the road this September.
This is the band’s first album to feature Jakob Nowell on vocals.
This is the American outfit’s first Australian headline tour in 20 years.
This year’s lineup also features DMA’s, Folk Bitch Trio, The Drones, Tkay Maidza and more.
The upcoming four shows mark Vindicta’s debut Australian tour.
The Newcastle band beat out stiff competition to claim the prize.
Catch the Indian superstar at AEC Arena this August.
First Sounds is a vital partnership between the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) and Gadigal Information Service/Koori Radio that continues to amplify First Nations voices.
The Aussie icons will be joined by the likes of Birds of Tokyo, Ella Hooper, Eskimo Joe and more.
Exit Wounds is the Freo quartet’s follow-up to their 2025 album, If That Makes Sense.
The BIGSOUND 100 demonstrates the sound of Australia across three nights of unmissable live shows this September.