Australian musical icons on why regional touring matters in 2025

Tim Freedman was curled up on a sunken leather couch in a temporary band rehearsal room, taking off his glasses and putting his hands to his mouth. His mop of brown hair was a shade or two lighter than when The Whitlams were dominating Australian radio station Triple J in the 90s, but the furrowed brow still conveyed focus.

He had just completed a sound check on a small stage at a venue called the Whalers Hotel in the seaside town of Warrnambool. The hotel is much smaller than the venues he used to play, but this did not bother him. Freedman said that in about two hours he would be singing his hit songs, such as "No Aphrodisiac" and "Blow Up the Pokies," while downstairs was a room full of the whirring of machines.

The irony was not lost on him—Freedman still yearns for a government ban on what he calls a "depressing part of the touring circuit." Warrnambool is the seventh stop on his band "Gone Coastal's" regional tour, which includes 10 towns across three states, including RSLs, civic halls, and the Royal Hotel in Meredith.

Over the past 12 months, remote towns across Australia have welcomed a host of well-known musicians. Last December, Jack White and St Vincent sold out shows in Ballarat, while bands such as Polaris and The Jungle Giants have also played well-attended tours in other parts of Australia. In September, G-Flip, Thelma Plum, and Ruel also came to Warrnambool, with a surprise appearance by Missy Higgins.

This year, from Australian music veterans such as Sarah Blasko, Paul Dempsey, and Bernard Fanning, to metalcore band Make Them Suffer and indie pop star Amy Shark, all will be embarking on regional tours. Blasko even served as her own accommodation manager for her regional tour, gleefully booking a "Spanish bullfighter-themed motel" for her band to stay in when they played in the eastern Victorian city of Sale. "Breakfast is included, so I think everyone will be happy about that," Blasko said with a laugh.

The three-time ARIA Award winner has received rave reviews at venues across the country and says her best moments on tour have been in these regions. "Regional touring is really important to me," Blasko said. "People are so welcoming, and it makes you feel like you getting out of the city 'bubble' means a lot to them."

Paul Dempsey of Something For Kate will be touring regional Australia with Bernard Fanning of Powderfinger. The duo, dubbed "Fanning Dempsey National Park," say they don't distinguish between country or city audiences. "We're just happy to play anywhere that people will pack into a room and have a good time," Dempsey said. "Fanning Dempsey National Park" will visit 12 venues on its regional tour of Australia's east coast.

Dempsey said that the sense of unity that audiences feel at shows, that everyone is "at least in agreement on one thing," should be nurtured. "There are too few spaces like that in the world," he said. According to data from Creative Australia, Australians living in remote areas are more likely than those living in cities to attend arts events to improve their well-being.

Dempsey said: "They might find that they've just added another town to their list of places they can continue to play—they might be helping people build up some small, community fan bases in the area." Music Australia, the government's arts agency, said that regional touring plays a "vital role" in ensuring all Australians have access to music. "Music is a powerful driver of social engagement and supports the well-being of people in remote areas," said Millie Millgate, director of Music Australia.

It's a sobering message for bands of all eras, including Triple J darlings. The indie band from Sydney's Northern Beaches rose to prominence by playing any RSL or open mic night that would have them. Ahead of an upcoming New Zealand tour, lead singer Noah Blockley said The Rions might not exist without the early experience they gained playing shows outside of central Sydney. "For the first three or four years of our career, every single show we played was local," Blockley said. "I think if we never had those, then I don't think we'd be here today, you know, playing in the main cities."

The same goes for promoters. Sam Pyers runs the one-day Goomfest music festival outside his hometown of Warrnambool. He said seeing bands play in his hometown was a big inspiration for him to create music and put on events, including Goomfest. "When I see some of these bigger bands come down to Warrnambool, I get excited because I know it might inspire the next generation of musicians and creatives," Mr. Pyers said. Half of Australia's music festivals are held outside of major cities.

Back at the Whalers Hotel, Tim Freedman and his band took to the stage to rapturous applause. His teenage daughter watched from the merchandise stand at the back of the room, the last refuge as the crowd surged forward. "Warrnambool, it's been a while," he said to the crowd. After a few songs, Freedman admitted that Warrnambool was the worst place The Whitlams ever played in 1996. Only eight people showed up, and they stood on each other's shoulders before falling onto the stage. "It was terrible," he recalled with a wry smile.

This comeback gig was a much bigger success, with the band playing hit after hit, culminating in a must-have encore. We know this won't be the last time Freedman tours regionally. "As a professional musician, you have to do it," Freedman said before the show. "If you want to maintain your playing level, you need to do it."