Negative Approach Announces Debut Tour of Australia and New Zealand 2026

The Detroit legends have locked in a whopping 13 shows, including a stop in Adelaide at the Ed Castle in October.

Image David Kelling

Pioneering Detroit hardcore punks, Negative Approach, are finally making their way south of the equator, announcing a massive Australian and New Zealand tour.

After reforming in 2006, the band have continued to perform live across the world, with Aussie and Kiwi punk fans sure to be excited about the prospect of finally seeing them perform live in October and November.

Negative Approach’s tour begins in Oz with ten shows, kicking off in Perth at Lynotts Lounge on Wednesday 21 October. They then play Adelaide’s Ed Castle on Thursday 22 October, Melbourne’s The Tote on Friday 23 October, Frankston’s Singing Bird on Saturday 24 October, Canberra’s The Baso on Thursday 29 October, Wollongong’s La La La’s on Friday 30 October, Sydney’s The Chippo on Saturday 31 October, Southport’s Vinnies Dive Bar on Friday 6 November, Brisbane’s The Brightside on Saturday 7 November and Nambour’s Blackbox Theatre on Sunday 8 November.

The final three shows of the tour take place in New Zealand at Christchurch’s The Embankment on Thursday 12 November, Wellington’s Valhalla on Friday 13 November and Auckland’s Whammy Bar on Saturday 14 November.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now at vinniesrecords.com.au.

READ MORE: Finland’s Rotten Sound Announce 2026 Australian Tour

Formed in 1981 by vocalist John Brannon and bassist Pete Zelewski, the original lineup of Negative Approach also included Rob McCulloch on guitar and Zuheir Fakhoury on drums.

Although Negative Approach lasted less than three years during its initial run, the band gained a cult following and released the EP Negative Approach and one full-length album, the ten-track Tied Down.

Splitting up in 1983, the members of Negative Approach were involved in different musical projects, with Brannon best known for his work with Laughing Hyenas.

In 2006, Brannon and drummer Chris Moore (who replaced Fakhoury) reunited for a one-off show, with Brannon deciding to bring Negative Approach back for good.

Since then, the group has sporadically toured the globe and shared several unreleased tracks, with their upcoming tour one not to be missed for punk and hardcore fans.

Catch Negative Approach performing at Ed Castle on Thursday 22 October. Tickets on sale now via oztix.com.au.

Negative Approach 2026 Australian Tour Dates

Wednesday 21 October – Lynotts Lounge, Perth, WA

Thursday 22 October – Ed Castle, Adelaide, SA

Friday 23 October – The Tote, Melbourne, VIC

Saturday 24 October – Singing Bird, Frankston, VIC

Thursday 29 October – The Baso, Canberra, ACT

Friday 30 October – La La La’s, Wollongong, NSW

Saturday 31 October – The Chippo, Sydney, NSW

Friday 6 November – Vinnies Dive Bar, Southport, QLD

Saturday 7 November – The Brightside, Brisbane, QLD

Sunday 8 November – Blackbox Theatre, Nambour, QLD

Thursday 12 November – The Embankment, Christchurch, NZ

Friday 13 November – Valhalla, Wellington, NZ

Saturday 14 November – Whammy Bar, Auckland, NZ

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