Death Cab for Cutie Announce Long-Awaited Australian Return

The indie rock icon’s tour coincides with the release of their new album, I Built You A Tower.

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Seven years on since their last Australian tour, Death Cab For Cutie have announced a run of shows to coincide with the release of their forthcoming new album, I Built You A Tower, out Friday 5 June.

The band’s first album in four years, I Built You a Tower, was recorded over three weeks at LA studio Animal Rites with producer John Congleton (Lana del Ray, The Killers, Gossip). Work on the album began while Death Cab For Cutie were touring to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Transatlanticism and Plans and frontman Ben Gibbard was going through a painful divorce, resulting in an introspective collection of songs about grief, love and loss.

Having recently shared the album’s first single, ‘Riptides’, Death Cab are returning to Australia in November for three shows, performing tracks from across their career, including new album I Built You a Tower.

Death Cab for Cutie’s tour commences at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Thursday 12 November, followed by Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne on Friday 13 November and concluding at Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall on Sunday 15 November.

Mastercard cardholders have special access to pre-sale tickets from 1pm AEST Friday 17 April to 1pm AEST Monday 20 April. Check out priceless.com/music for more details.

Secret Sounds pre-sale runs from 1pm AEST Monday 20 April to 1pm AEST Tuesday 21 April, with general on-sale kicking off at 2pm AEST on Tuesday 21 April. Tickting info available at secretsounds.com.

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Death Cab for Cutie have spent 30 years as one of America’s most beloved indie rock outfits, rising from college radio cult favourites to arena rockers playing sold-out concerts across the globe.

Originally formed by Gibbard alongside guitarist and producer Chris Walla (later replaced by Dave Depper on guitar and Zac Rae on keyboards), bassist Nick Harmer and drummer Jason McGerr, the band are returning to their roots with upcoming album I Built You a Tower.

Gibbard opens up about what inspires him to keep creating and evolving as an artist. “I just love the feeling of being in a room, having just made something that I'm proud of. I can't imagine wanting to do anything else,” Gibbard says. “This is literally what I've wanted to do since I was 12 years old. And the fact that I've been given the opportunity to do it, I feel that I have an obligation to my 12-year-old self to continue to do this and find the joy in it, and to experience the odd wonder of what it's like to create things.”

Gearing up for a massive run of US tour dates this July, Death Cab for Cutie will then make their way down under for three huge concerts that are sure to sell out.

Catch Death Cab for Cutie performing in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane this November. Ticketing information is available at secretsounds.com.

Death Cab For Cutie I Built You a Tower Australian Tour 2026

Thursday 12 November – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, NSW

Friday 13 November – Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, VIC

Sunday 15 November – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, QLD

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