Gut Health don’t really sit still long enough to be pinned down. The Naarm/Melbourne six-piece have built a reputation on friction — between melody and noise, dancefloor instinct, and art-school chaos — the kind of band that can pull you into a groove just as quickly as they knock it sideways. Their debut album, Stiletto, sharpened that approach into something bigger and more immersive, but it still thrives on that same sense of unpredictability.
Now, they’re taking that energy across the Tasman for their first run of shows in Aotearoa, including a slot at CubaDupa and headline dates in Auckland and Christchurch. It’s a natural next step for a band whose influences and ethos already feel closely aligned with New Zealand’s lineage of outsider music and DIY communities.
Ahead of the tour, Gut Health caught up with Rolling Stone AU/NZ to talk Flying Nun deep cuts, dream trips to Hobbiton, chaotic festival sets, and what’s quietly shaping album number two.
Firstly, are you excited for your debut Aotearoa tour?
Absolutely. Some of our favourite bands have come out of Aotearoa, and we’ve heard there’s a constant, ever-evolving and densely connected music community there. We’ve also got many Kiwi friends back in Naarm, so it’ll be great to see where they originally grew from and nested.
Has any of the band spent much time over here before?
Myka (drums) has played over there a few times, most recently with Miss Kaninna at Splore. Adam (bass) visited when he was younger, but this trip will be extra special — he’s finally fulfilling his dream of going to Hobbiton, which just happens to fall on his birthday. He’s a raging LOTR fan, so it couldn’t be better timed. He couldn’t help but shed a tear when he booked tickets.
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What are you expecting from Kiwi crowds compared to crowds back home?
If they are anything like the Whammy bar community, who encouraged us to book this run of shows, then I imagine they are both genuine and supportive.
Are there any Aotearoa acts that have influenced you? Perhaps some classic Flying Nun bands?
I recently discovered Marie and The Atom, the first all-female act signed to Flying Nun. I adore their off-kilter, poetic, surrealist sonic exploration. I came across an image of them doing a street performance with a banjo on Vulcan Lane in downtown Auckland in 1983, and felt really warmed by their genuine, unapologetic outsider artistry.
Adam adores Chris Knox. I recently met someone who assisted him for a while and only spoke highly of him, which made me appreciate the sincerity of his music even more.
The Clean are in my top five favourite bands of all time — and I don’t even really make lists or have a top five.
I also love the modern artist Maxine Funke’s lyricism and sensitivity.
Peter Jefferies was recently introduced to me as well. I adore his solo work, along with Nocturnal Projections and This Kind of Punishment.
Are you also excited to play a festival while over here, CubaDupa?
So excited! Playing festivals overseas always holds special meaning for us — especially ones that explore a range of genres. We get to play to people who may have never heard of us before, or who may not be as familiar with our sound — exist and collaborate with them through a shared love of sounds and movement. We are also playing at Whammy Bar and Space Academy before the festival.
Have you had a chance to check out the full lineup? Any other act you’re keen to catch?
Upon first glance, I was immediately drawn to Ludus, who shares the same name as one of our favourite British post-punk bands formed in Manchester in 1978. I had a listen to this modern incarnation and fell in love with their experimental soundscapes and electronic rhythms. Apparently this name makes for great art.
We were lucky enough to play with Dick Move at Dark Mofo last year, so I’m really looking forward to playing with them again on this tour – this time in their own nest.
What’s one thing you’d love to do in Aotearoa before going back home?
Explore nature and the native landscape. I’ve hired a van to do some solo travelling after the festival. This year has brought a lot of endings and new beginnings, so I’m looking forward to slowing down and processing some of those changes.
I’ve heard how gorgeous the flora and fauna are there, and how different it feels to so-called Australia despite the proximity, so I can’t wait to experience it for myself.
Do you have a favourite gig you’ve played as Gut Health so far?
Dark Mofo was a particularly fun one for us. We love drama, camp, excessiveness, darkness, and spectacle! This ticked all of those boxes for us. We played on a stage above the main stage at Night Mass (where a bunch of furries would later dance), so people had to glance up to watch us.
We love playing gigs that have a club feel, are in tight spaces, and are late at night. Our 12am set at the Panama Festival in Lutruwita/Tasmania in 2024 had this feel.
A few European shows would be up there for us for the same reason, from Nox Orae in Geneva to smaller DIY shows across Germany.
How did your ‘Romance Isn’t Dead’ gig go last month?
How could playing in front of a bunch of beautiful, smart, charismatic dykes go badly? It was a fantastic celebration of dyke and FLINTA+ communities, and it was great to feel seen as a live act with trans, non-binary and femme players. These events are popping up more in Naarm and they are always so life-affirming to attend.
I read your Instagram post recapping how big 2025 was for the band. Is it possible to pick one as being the standout moment? Supporting Primal Scream must have been incredible.
Supporting Primal Scream was indeed incredible. Our European tour was a highlight all-round. Our run of secret front bar shows, as well as our sold-out send off show at the Night Cat were also particularly special. One of my favourite things about playing live is getting the chance to curate and play with supports we love, often friends of ours. We had a few of those last year, including bodies of divine and infinite spirit, Cold/Heat, Itchy and The Nits, Shock Corridor and Mess Esque.
You obviously know that Rolling Stone has been a big supporter of you. We even included “The Recipe” in our Best Australian & New Zealand Songs of the 21st Century So Far list last year. The question is: did we pick the right Gut Health song?
We are gassed by the endless support. Favourites are so relative. Sure, if that’s your fave, we’ll take it! Maybe you’ll have a new one when the second album rolls around… maybe you won’t… who knows?
I’ve heard through the grapevine that you’ve been teasing new music at shows in Naarm/Melbourne. How far away is a follow-up to Stiletto?
Our summer has been a time to slow down and really focus on writing new music. For our birthdays, we usually get each other something band-related, but this year we decided to do something different. Instead, we all put our money together to go away for a few days and write music together.
It’s been a special way to spend time as a band and focus on what we love most and why we do this in the first place – creating. We’re planning to head into the studio mid-year. This year has really been all about working towards album number two, so it’s been a busy yet nice time dreaming up how that is going to look.
Gut Health Aotearoa Tour 2026
Thursday, March 26th
Whammy Bar, Auckland
Supported by Dick Move and Grecco Romank
Friday, March 27th
Space Academy, Christchurch
Supported by Folina E Vili
Saturday, March 28th
CubaDupa Festival, Wellington
