WANSTOCK RETURNS IN MARCH 2025 CELEBRATING ALL THINGS ROCK’N’ROLL OVER 2 DAYS FT. BABY ANIMALS, THE BABYS, MI-SEX, TAXIRIDE + MORE
Next March, get set to celebrate all things full-blown rock’n’roll, with Aussie rock festival Wanstock returning for its biggest edition yet. Set to take place across two dates in 2025 at the Shoppingtown Hotel in Doncaster, offering back-to-back nights of fun for fans and bands alike, Wanstock will kick off on Friday March 14 headlined by Australian rock royalty, Baby Animals, Taxiride ft Jason Singh and Strait Shooters, with Saturday March 15 headlined by British rock icons The Babys, Mi-Sex, Ted Mulry Gang, Standing Room Only and Day Dreamers.
Born from organiser Geoff Wansbrough’s love of the legendary Aussie pub rock era in the 80s and 90s, Wanstock has evolved since 2018 into an annual showcase of world-class acts alongside talented up-and-comers, with the 2025 edition once again bringing together an iconic array of homegrown and international artists from the rock realms. Tickets for Wanstock 2025 are on-sale now from www.wanstock.com.au/.
Headlining the first night of the Wanstock extravaganza will be none other than Australian hard rockers Baby Animals. Forming in the late 80s, Baby Animalsexploded into view in 1991 with their debut self-titled full-length album. A multi-platinum triumph, Baby Animals also debuted at #1 on the Australian charts, and saw the group win Album of the Year, Breakthrough Artist – Album and Breakthrough Artist – Single (for Early Warning) at the 1992 ARIA Awards. In 1993, the group unleashed their gold-certified sophomore album, Shaved and Dangerous, which debuted at #2 in Australia and snagged Baby Animals a nomination for Best Group at the ARIA Awards, with performances alongside the likes of Extreme and Robert Plant surrounding their own headline shows, before disbanding in early 1996. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Baby Animals announced their jubilant return in 2007, releasing their third studio album Il Grande Silenzio in 2008, followed by This Is Not the End in 2013. In 2016, Baby Animals celebrated the 25th anniversary of their debut album with live performances and a deluxe reissue, and most recently performed in 2024 as part of the Red Hot Summer Tour, alongside Suzi Quatro, Cheap Trick and more, as well as at Legends on the Lawn, alongside Bachelor Girl and 1927, and Mundi Mundi Bash. In 2025, alongside their Wanstock performance, Baby Animals will also perform as part of the Red Hot Summer Tour with ZZ Top, The Living End and Rose Tattoo.
Thrilled to be back to play another Wanstock, Baby Animals said, “We are super excited to be heading back to Wanstock for the second time. We had a blast at the first one and cannot wait to return for another rocking show!”
Also joining Baby Animals on Friday March 14, get set to experience the legendary stylings of Aussie rockers Taxiride ft Jason Singh. Hailing from Melbourne, Taxiride roared into view with their double platinum 1999 album Imaginate, which reached #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart, and boasted earworm singles like Get Set and Everywhere You Go. Taking home the 1999 Breakthrough Artist – Single ARIA Award for Get Set, Taxiride went on to release the certified platinum 2002 full-length Garage Mahal, as well as 2005’s Axiomatic and 2006’s Electrophobia. Helmed by the soaring vocals and electrifying performance of frontman Jason Singh, Singh has remained one of Australia’s most in-demand entertainers, and his high energy rock show performing Taxiride smash hits is one absolutely not to be missed. “Wanstock…picking up where Woodstock left off!” shares Singh of his upcoming Wanstock appearance next March. “Looking forward to joining a long list of incredible artists and bands that have played Wanstock over the years, bring on 2025.”
And rounding out the first night of Wanstock in 2025 will be Aussie covers sensations Strait Shooters, returning to the Wanstock stage after a rousing appearance at the 2024 edition. With decades in their wake covering every Aussie rock classic from Midnight Oil through to Cold Chisel and everything in between, the party vibes will be strong when Strait Shooters take to the stage next March.
Headlining the second night of Wanstock will be none other than beloved UK rockers The Babys. Celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2025, The Babys will bring their trademark blend of rock and melodic power pop to the stage, armed with a horde of fan favourites and arena anthems that defined an era. Forming in London in 1975, The Babys have remained an energetic and memorable force to be reckoned with, witnessed with gusto via their live performances, as well as via their cornucopia of hits that span the likes of Isn’t It Time, Every Time I Think Of You, Back On My Feet Again, Midnight Rendezvous and Head First amongst many more. Weathering lineup changes, a breakup in the early 80s and ongoing shifting tides in the music industry, The Babys have not only survived and thrived against change; they have also influenced many contemporary rock artists via their infectious craftsmanship and classic rock sensibilities. Since the release of their 2014 album, I’ll Have Some of That!, The Babys have consistently seen the reunited group perform in America, both headlining and as part of high profile festivals, and most recently performed supporting Rick Springfield at Central Plaza in Fort Dodge. Bona fide music heroes who rock as hard now as they ever did, The Babys will continue to cement their rock’n’roll legacy in 2025 for their 50th anniversary, which will joyfully include a night to remember in Australia.
All the way from New Zealand, new wave rockers Mi-Sex will also jump onto the Wanstock stage next year on Saturday March 15. A band renowned for their razor-sharp production and high-octane live performances, Mi-Sex kicked off their journey in the late 70s, ticking off multiple top 10 singles, including 1979’s Computer Games taking the #1 spot in Australia, and 1980’s People reaching #6 in Australia and #3 in New Zealand. Also in command of five studio albums, including 1979’s Graffiti Crimes and 1980’s Space Race, which are both certified platinum in Australia, Mi-Sex have continued to pave the way for their dynamic sonic wares against personal and professional tragedy, as well as significant change in the music industry in general. But decades on, the band are definitely excited to head down under for their debut Wanstock appearance next year alongside fellow legends, as keyboardist Murray Burns reveals, “It’s such an honour to share the bill with The Babys at Wanstock 2025. Isn’t It Time must be one of the biggest British hits from the ’70s and remains one of the best rock vocal performances to this day, so our first trip to Wanstock is gonna be a blast!”
Returning to the Wanstock stage once again in 2025, following their headline outing back in 2020 and performing at the 2024 edition of Wanstock earlier this year, Ted Mulry Gang will be taking the stage on Saturday March 15. The unforgettable group behind the 1975 smash single Jump In My Car, TMG’s game-changing track not only boasts spending 11 weeks at the #1 spot on the Australian charts but also bragging rights for TMG becoming the first Aussie act to knock Swedish pop sensations ABBA off the pole position. An enduring and beloved act in the Australian pub realm, TMG simply live and breathe rock and roll, embodying their hard-hitting spirit into tracks like Darktown Strutters Ball, Crazy and My Little Girl. With their previous Wanstock appearance taking place at the glam rock-themed 2020 event and followed the very next day by Melbourne’s first lockdown, Ted Mulry Gang ecstatically returned to Wanstock in 2024 amid much happier circumstances and will once again bring the noise and good times to Wanstock in 2025.
Also jumping on the Friday lineup will be Melbourne rockers known for their stomping live show, Rattlincane, as well as two other acts returning for their back-to-back Wanstock performances next year with Melbourne powerhouse rock trio Standing Room Only, and emerging Melbourne alternative punks Day Dreamers. A band who have swiftly cemented their status on the touring circuit since emerging back in 2017, Standing Room Only merge high-energy original songs with classic rock covers thrown in for good measure. And bringing alt punk tinged by 90s grunge and more to proceedings, Day Dreamers are primed to bring the house down at Wanstock in 2025 with their fresh take on the alternative stratosphere.
An event run by a music lover and for music lovers, the spark for Wanstock festival first ignited when organiser Geoff Wansbrough approached some of his favourite bands to play for his birthday a few years back. Spurred by his love of classic Australian rock and the spirit of the original Woodstock Music Festival, Wanstock was soon born, holding its inaugural event in 2018 at the Burvale Hotel before growing into the event’s current home, the Shoppingtown Hotel, in 2019. Featuring an array of incredible bands over the years, including Dragon, The Kevin Borich Express, Spectrum, Hush, The Black Sorrows, Baby Animals and more, Wanstock offers a true blue rock’n’roll experience while also showcasing some of the local scene’s brightest new talent. “I grew up in that awesome pub rock era of Australian music,” shares Wansbrough. “Every pub had bands on, and the cream rose to the top and we gave the world acts such as INXS and AC/DC. As such, a few years ago, I was having a birthday and thought: maybe I should book a favourite band. Then I thought, maybe I will book several of my favourite bands. The idea grew from there. There are 3 aspects to Wanstock: 1- enjoying some of those classic bands of our youth, 2 – giving some emerging talent a chance to play, and 3 – having some fun while we still can.”
“It was getting too much of a struggle to fit all the bands on one day,” Wan continues, “hence the expansion to two next year. I am really looking forward to this, with such great acts as The Babys in Australia for the first time in a very long time, and the hard rocking Baby Animals. With all the other great supports, it will be an unforgettable couple of nights!”
Tickets for Wanstock 2025 are on-sale now from www.wanstock.com.au/.
WANSTOCK 2025
Tickets available from www.wanstock.com.au/.
FRI 14 MARCH | SHOPPINGTOWN HOTEL, DONCASTER VIC | 18+
BABY ANIMALS
TAXIRIDE FT JASON SINGH
STRAIT SHOOTERS
RATTLINCANE
SAT 15 MARCH | SHOPPINGTOWN HOTEL, DONCASTER VIC | 18+
THE BABYS
MI-SEX
TED MULRY GANG
STANDING ROOM ONLY
DAY DREAMERS
DAMIANO DAVID ANNOUNCES 2025 GLOBAL SOLO TOUR SET TO RETURN TO AUSTRALIA FOR TWO SHOWS, FOLLOWING THE TREMENDOUS SUCCESS OF MÅNESKIN’S SOLD OUT SHOWS
Damiano David has today announced a massive 2025 global tour with dates across Europe, Australia, North America, South America and Asia next year. Encompassing 31 dates across five continents, the newly announced tour dates are a true statement of intent as Damiano David continues to introduce himself on the world stage.
The tour begins Thursday, September 11th in Warsaw, Poland (COS Torwar), with a string of shows across Europe, before continuing to Australia with shows in Sydney on Wednesday, October 22nd at Enmore Theatre and Melbourne on Friday, October 24th at The Forum. The tour will then head on to Japan and South America, before concluding in North America with the final show hitting Washington DC on Tuesday, December 16th at The Fillmore.
Speaking on the tour announcement, Damiano said: “I’m beyond excited to announce my first ever world tour as a solo artist. I can’t wait to connect with all of you in person and share my new music. Every city is going to be a celebration of the music, the fans, and the journey we’re all about to go on together. See you out there!”
Fans can sign up for exclusive presale access at damianodavidofficial.com. Fan presale begins Wednesday 11 December at 10am local time. The general on sale begins Monday, December 16 at 10 am local time at damianodavidofficial.com.
The tour announcement follows the release of Damiano David’s vibrant track Born With A Broken Heart, the second offering, and first single, from his highly anticipated new solo project. The song boasts an anthemic quality with synth led melodies and a hook laden chorus that truly announces Damiano as a solo artist for the global stage. Listen here. Watch the video here.
Born With A Broken Heart followed previously released Silverlines, a stunningly wrought and theatrical composition produced by Labrinth. Listen here. Watch the music video here. The incredible debut offering is completely different stylistically to Born With A Broken Heart, already showing off the versatility and dizzying ambition of Damiano’s solo work.
Damiano has already given audiences a taste of what to expect from his live show with his solo live TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing both tracks (watch here and here), as well as a performance of Silverlines on Italy’s Che Tempo Che Fa (watch here). Damiano recently covered Man About Town’s Autumn/Winter 2024 issue. Earlier this year he attended GQ’s Men Of The Year party and Business of Fashion’s 500 Gala where he was honored as a new member. Damiano is currently Diesel’s first-ever global male ambassador and worked alongside creative director Glenn Martens on an exclusive capsule collection for the brand.
Damiano David has made his name as an acclaimed Italian singer-songwriter, where his journey from the streets of Rome to international stardom and establishing himself as a powerhouse in the global music scene, is nothing short of extraordinary. Damiano received global recognition and critical acclaim as the lead vocalist of Måneskin, who played fully sold out arena shows across Australia in 2023, were nominated for Best New Artist at the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards, and praised for his charismatic stage presence and powerful vocals fronting the first Italian band to break on a truly global scale.
Artist presale starts Wednesday 11 December at 10am local time, sign up for presale access at damianodavidofficial.com
General onsale begins Monday December 16 at 10am local time at damianodavidofficial.com
Tour Dates
Thu Sept 11 – Poland, Warsaw – COS Torwar
Sat Sept 13 – Germany, Berlin – Uber Eats Music Hall
Mon Sept 15 – Netherlands, Amsterdam – AFAS Live
Wed Sept 17 – Germany, Cologne – Palladium
Sun Sept 21 – Spain, Barcelona – Razzmatazz
Mon Sept 22 – Spain, Madrid – La Riviera
Fri Sept 26 – France, Paris – Zénith Paris – La Villette
Sun Sept 28 – UK, London – Roundhouse
Thu Oct 02 – Belgium, Brussels – Forest National Club
Sat Oct 04 – Switzerland, Zurich – Halle622
Tue Oct 07 – Italy, Milan – Unipol Forum
Sat Oct 11 – Italy, Rome – Palazzo dello Sport
Wed Oct 22 – Australia, Sydney – Enmore Theatre
Fri Oct 24 – Australia, Melbourne – Forum
Mon Oct 27 – Japan, Tokyo – Tokyo Garden Theater
Wed Oct 29 – Japan, Osaka – Zepp Osaka Bayside
Fri Nov 07 – Brazil, Sao Paulo – Tokio Marine Hall
Sun Nov 09 – Chile, Santiago – Teatro Caupolican
Tue Nov 11 – Argentina, Buenos Aires – Complejo C Art Media
Thu Nov 13 – Colombia, Bogotà – Teatro Royal Center
Mon Nov 17 – Mexico, Mexico City – Auditorio BlackBerry
Fri Nov 21 – USA, Seattle – Paramount Theatre
Sun Nov 23 – USA, San Francisco – The Masonic
Tue Nov 25 – USA, Los Angeles – The Wiltern
Sat Nov 29 – USA, Chicago – The Riviera Theatre
Sun Nov 30 – USA, Detroit – The Fillmore Detroit
Tue Dec 02 – Canada, Toronto – HISTORY
Thu Dec 04 – Canada, Montreal – MTELUS
Sat Dec 06 – USA, Philadelphia – The Fillmore Philadelphia
Mon Dec 08 – USA, New York – Brooklyn Paramount
Tue Dec 16 – USA, Washington DC – The Fillmore Silver Spring
Follow Damiano David on social media
ANYA ALCHEMY RELEASES SUMPTUOUS NEW SINGLE ‘ICK’
A slinky and witty ode to empowerment, the sassy new single ICK out today from Melbourne singer-songwriter Anya Alchemy balances sleek production with tongue-in-cheek charm; a resounding reminder to know your worth, coated in fearless indie alt-pop.
A creative chameleon of the highest order, Anya Alchemy entrances with her raw and authentic energy, and her latest outing ICK is no exception. Channelling inspiration from Doechii, Tyler The Creator and Miss Kannina on her new track, Anya Alchemy embraces audacious yet endearing swagger, while also capturing some of the worst types of personalities in song form, as she explains, “ICK is all about not lowering your standards for losers. I work at a pub to help pay for my artist project and I regularly serve the same characters in their 20s and beyond. The types that don’t say please or thank you, the types that complain about the prices of steak. They’re the worst and I think that they deserve their own moment, in song form.”
Working alongside her producer brother Jay Ferriere (Pez, 360), a la Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, ICK ultimately found its origin after Anyapenned the song’s opening line “Gap teeth, mean streak”, with the sibling duo working through the night when magic struck. “Whilst at work I wrote down the line ‘Gap teeth, mean streak’ in my Notes app – thinking nothing of it,” shares Anya Alchemy. “Later in the week I went to my brother’s house to work on music, he played me this ridiculous beat and the words just kept pouring out. We spent the whole night tweaking the words so that they weren’t so ambiguous and by the end of the night we had our song. ICK is really different from anything I’ve ever written before.”
And while Anya teamed up with Matt Bartlem (Matt Corby, Jarryd James, Lastlings) for mixing, and GRAMMY-nominated Andrei Eremin (G Flip, Tash Sultana, Sampa The Great) for mastering duties, ICK was largely a family affair to bring to life. “I feel like Billie and Finneas are probably a lot nicer to each other than we are,” laughs Anya. “We’ve been writing together properly for close to 3-4 years and we work well in that I love words and melodies, and he loves beats and the sonic side of things. We both really want to make stuff that is iconic, either to other people or even just to us – our shared passion for music and creating is the driving force of this project. One day we’ll yell about how much we hate each other and threaten to leave the project and then the next day one of us will send the other a house that we’ll buy when we make it big. That’s the charm of working with family.”
An emerging singer-songwriter hailing from regional Victoria, Anya Alchemy has a diverse sound, bouncing between indie pop with country hues, hip hop and beyond, with her trademark rich, soulful vocals transcending and complementing the honest songwriting permeating at the core of her creations. From intimate acoustic ballads to soaring sassy hits, Anya Alchemy is as versatile and memorable as her namesake, both showcasing a depth of maturity far beyond her years and a commitment to her unbridled artistic integrity.
2024 has been a been a solid year for live shows for Anya, landing herself on the Hello Sunshine Festival lineup earlier this year alongside The Veronicas, Grinspoon, Bliss n Eso, as well as hitting the road to support Pierce Brothers and Boo Seeka amongst others, and with even more magnetic new material on the horizon, ICK marks the first of many new releases evolving from Anya Alchemy’s work. And if ICK is anything to go by; the upcoming new music is set to be nothing but pure musical alchemy.
ICK is out today, Friday December 6.