The Drones Announce Live Vinyl 'Distant Hen's Night - The Drones Live At The Tote'

Ahead of their extensive Australian tour that kicks off this week, The Drones have announced the release of live album Distant Hen's Night - The Drones Live At The Tote.

This limited-edition live vinyl captures the band's sold-out 2016 show at the iconic Melbourne venue The Tote and is exclusively available at shows as part of their Australian tour.

Recorded by Ryan Hazell on May 29 2026, the album was mixed by The Drones' frontman Gareth Liddiard and features eight tracks. You can watch the full set on YouTube here.

The Drones tour has evolved from a six-show run to 18 gigs across the country, including appearances at Darwin Festival and Yours and Owls in Wollongong. More than half of the shows have sold out, with support coming from The Mess Hall, who have also reunited after a decade-long hiatus.

The tour commences in Darwin on Saturday 8 August as part of Darwin Festival before hitting Thornbury, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Castlemaine, Archies Creek, Newcastle, Marrickville and Hobart, wrapping up at Yours and Owls festival in Wollongong on Sunday 4 October.

Limited tickets are still available.

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The brainchild of musical genius Gareth Liddiard, The Drones emerged from Perth's alt-music scene in the late '90s, quickly gaining a reputation for their wild live shows and Liddiard's raw and honest songwriting.

Across the band's seven-album career, they've released a slew of hit singles, including 'Taman Shud', 'To Think That I Once Loved You', 'Shark Fin Blues', 'Jezabel', 'Boredom', 'I See Seaweed', 'How To See Through Fog' and River Of Tears', and also took home the inaugural Australian Music Prize for their LP Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By.

While they have been quiet of late due to Liddiard's other band, Tropical Fuck Storm, taking precedence, The Drones remain a legendary Australian rock act, and this tour is sure to be one for the ages.

Catch The Drones at The Gov on Friday 4 September. Tickets are sold out.