Perth psych-rock legends Pond are set to hit the Sunshine Coast as part of Jack Daniel’s Live At Last concert tour – a series to welcome back the return of live music to Australia after a pretty rough two years for the local industry.
Set to take place in the midst of their East Coast tour, Pond are no strangers to the music scene, with nearly 15 years as a world-beating outfit, nine studio albums, and two West Australia Music Industry Awards for Most Popular Act and Most Popular Live Act to their name.
The Nick Allbrook-led five-piece unveiled their aptly-titled ninth album, 9, back in October, receiving a four-star review from Rolling Stone Australia, and attracting acclaim for its exhilarating experimentation.
“The modus operandi for Pond’s new record, 9, was to embrace experimentation and destruction in equal measure,” said writer James Di Fabrizio. “Trading polished psych pop for expansive jams, the album was edited from long spells of improvisation.
“At 9’s best, it’s an exhilarating ride through multiple ideas all being born at once. While it will never be Pond’s most focused record, it’s arguably more interesting to hear the band push forward into new territory than rehash well-trodden ideas.”
Just last month, Pond returned to the fold once again, sharing new single “Lights of Leeming”, which is set to appear on the deluxe edition of 9 when it arrives on May 20th.
“’Lights of Leeming’ is a true story about the crushing boredom of suburbia and the wild and destructive things people do to break the monotony, to see that there’s at least something you can do to affect your surroundings – to be seen and validated as a real, existent part of the world – even if it’s just breaking something or getting in trouble,” explained Allbrook. “It’s pretty dumb fun, but dumb fun is important, right?”
In addition to “Lights of Leeming”, fans are set to be treated to the ‘unhinged’ “My Funny Serpentine” and the ballad “The TAB Took My Baby from Me”, before closing with the dancefloor-ready “Hang a Cross on Me”.
“‘Hang a Cross on Me’ was made infinitely cooler by the return of Cowboy John – musician, poet, fashion icon, Poon’s Head Studio regular, legend,” explains Allbrook. “We got Cowboy to feature on ‘Hobo Rocket’ back in the day.
“In both songs he insisted on improvising his own lyrics and on only doing one take, and both, of course, were perfect. He meditates on love, life, the universe and everything with his signature fantastical surrealism and cosmic wonder. It’s always a pleasure working with him. He is incredibly rare and brilliant and we love him.”
Now, Pond are set to hit the road again, having not only announced an Aussie tour back in November, but set to kick off the recently-announced Jack Daniel’s Live At Last concert tour.
First out of the gate with Jack Daniel’s Live At Last series, Pond will be hitting SolBar in the Sunshine Coast on the 12th of April, bringing their signature psychedelic, garage rock fusion in tow. With tickets set at only $10 a piece, they’re sure to go quickly, so punters will want to hop to it fast.
Paying true homage to the return of Australian live music, Jack Daniel’s Live At Last series is set to give back to artists and venues with 100% of ticket sales going towards Support Act: the music industry charity delivers crisis relief services to musicians, managers, crew, and music workers who have been unable to work.
“Jack Daniel’s has a long history in music and has always been part of the moments that count; on stage and in the crowd, with artists and their fans,” explained Dimitra Tassopoulos, Senior Brand Manager at Jack Daniel’s.
“It’s important for us to continue to create these moments and to support the live music and on-premise community. We are thrilled to be announcing these shows and to be donating the total ticket sales to Support Act so that they can continue the amazing work they have been doing in the industry.”
Keen to see Pond take to the stage, and kick off Jack Daniel’s Live At Last tour properly? It’s only one week until the psychedelic outfit will capture the audience with their rifts, and tickets are on sale now for only $10 via Secret Sounds.
Jack Daniel’s Live At Last Tour 2022
Pond
Tuesday, April 12th
SolBar, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Tickets: OzTix
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Thursday, April 21st
Factory Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Tickets: Century
San Cisco
Sunday, April 24th
Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Ruby Fields
Thursday, April 28th
The Espy, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Moshtix
