The Herd Celebrate 20 Years of ‘The Sun Never Sets’ With National Tour
Expect to hear tracks from The Sun Never Sets alongside all your favourite Herd songs.
Image Cole Bennetts
When it comes to Australian hip hop albums, they don’t get more iconic than the Herd’s third long player, The Sun Never Sets. Celebrating 20 years since its release, The Herd are taking the album on tour next year.
The Sun Never Sets was nominated for both an ARIA and J Award and introduced punters to singer Jane Tyrrell, who, after featuring on the album and playing live with the group, was invited to join The Herd on a full-time basis.
The record also spawned one of the most viewed Like A Versions in triple j history, with The Herd taking a crack at Regum’s classic ‘I Was Only 19’. The track landed at #18 in 2005’s triple j Hottest 100 and 2023’s Hottest 100 of Like A Versions and is certified ARIA Gold.
Reflecting on 20 years of The Sun Never Sets, The Herd member and founder of Elefant Traks, Kenny Sabir, aka Traksewt, says it was the album that changed everything for the group. “It was the first time we broke through to festivals, which wasn’t easy for a hip hop band on an independent label back then. It came out in the shadow of the Cronulla riots, when flag-draped racism was on the rise, and we were pushing back with tracks like ‘National Holiday’. We were still deep in experimentation mode too, making the MCs rap in odd time signatures and seeing how far we could stretch things. Judging by the awkward crowd dancing, we definitely found the limit.
“We were lucky to be part of one of the first Like A Version sessions with ‘I Was Only 19’. That song always hit me as a kid, and reimagining it gave the album an extra life. We’re so excited to be celebrating this record on the special 20th anniversary tour and blast the jumpable crowd with faves like ‘Unpredictable’, ‘Under Pressure' and ‘We Can’t Hear You’, alongside some deeper album cuts.”
The Hard’s 20 Years of The Sun Never Sets national tour takes in Thirroul’s Anita’s Theatre on Thursday 5 February, Sydney’s Factory Theatre on Friday 6 February, Brisbane’s The Triffid on Saturday 7 February and Perth’s Magnet House on Friday 13 February. The final three dates are The Gov in Adelaide on Saturday 14 February, 170 Russell in Melbourne on Friday 20 February and Altar in Hobart on Saturday 21 February.
Destroy All Lines pre-sale kicks off at 10am AEDT on Wednesday 5 November, with general sale taking place at 10am AEDT on Friday 7 November. Full ticketing info available at destroyalllines.com.
READ MORE: Bernard Fanning Announces ‘Tea & Sympathy’ 20th Anniversary Tour
One of the country’s premier hip hop acts, The Herd cemented their legendary status with the release of five albums in ten years, including The Sun Never Sets and follow-up Summerland, The Herd’s highest charting album, coming in at #7 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
Comprising rappers, singers, guitars, laptops, samplers, bass, and piano accordion, The Herd are an incredible live act who appeared at some of Australia’s biggest music festivals during their heyday, including Big Day Out, Splendour In The Grass, Falls Festival, Homebake, Groovin’ The Moo, Parklife and many more.
Also behind Elefant Tracks, one of Australia’s most respected independent labels for 25 years before its closure in 2024, The Herd have given so much to the Aussie music scene and this tour is a chance for fans to celebrate their careers in intimate venues across the country.
Catch The Herd performing at The Gov on Saturday 14 February. Tickering information available at destroyalllines.com.
The herd 20th Years of The Sun Never Sets 2026 Australian Tour Dates
Thursday 5 February - Anita's Theatre, Thirroul, NSW
Friday 6 February - Factory Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Saturday 7 February - The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD
Friday 13 February - Magnet House, Perth, WA
Saturday 14 February - The Gov, Adelaide, SA
Friday 20 February - 170 Russell, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 21 February - Altar, Hobart, TAS
