Australian icons The Whitlams are set to hit the road later this year, armed with their first new piece of music since 2006.
Ever since The Whitlams broke into the mainstream in the mid ’90s, the group have been one of Australia’s most beloved musical acts. Managing to top the triple j Hottest 100 in 1997 with their ARIA Award-winning “No Aphrodisiac”, the group were a constant presence on the charts for years, with their latest record – Little Cloud – arriving in 2006.
Since then, the band haven’t exactly been lazy, with constant touring keeping them busy and frontman Tim Freedman releasing his Australian Idle solo album in 2011. However, no new music has arrived from the band in the last 14 years, despite Freedman explaining in 2016 he was hoping to “put a few songs out next year.”
Now though, The Whitlams are gearing up to release a new single, with “Gaffage and Clink” presumably set to arrive ahead of their tour of the same name.
Named after some backstage lingo, the forthcoming track celebrates the relationship between the group and their long-time tour manager Greg Weaver, who passed away suddenly in 2019.
Though specific details about the song’s release are yet to be confirmed, the band are celebrating its release with the announcement of a national headline tour beginning in August.
Keeping them busy for almost two months, The Whitlams’ tour will feature solo sets from special guests Ben Lee in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Alex Lloyd in Perth, Adelaide and Hobart, and songbird Emily Wurramara in many of the regional and city dates. Lastly, Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson will open the Adelaide show with a solo set at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel.
Stay tuned for more details regarding the band’s first single since 2006, and check out all the tour information below.
The Whitlams “Gaffage & Clink” Australian Tour 2020
With Ben Lee** and Alex Lloyd*
Tuesday, August 4th
Lizottes, Newcastle, NSW
Friday, August 7th
(With special guest Emily Wurramara)
The Art House, Wyong, NSW
Saturday, August 8th
(With special guest Emily Wurramara)
Blue Mountains Theatre, Springwood, NSW
Friday, August 14th
(With Phil Jamieson)
The Gov, Adelaide, SA*
Friday, August 21st
The Astor Theatre, Perth, WA*
Thursday, August 27th
(With special guest Emily Wurramara)
Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra, ACT**
Friday, August 28th
(With special guest Emily Wurramara)
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Shoalhaven, NSW**
Saturday, August 29th
(With special guest Emily Wurramara)
Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW**
Friday, September 4th
(With special guest Emily Wurramara)
The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD**
Friday, September 11th
(With Emma Russack Band)
Corner, Hotel, Melbourne, VIC**
Friday, September 18th
Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul, NSW*
Friday, September 25th
(With special guest Emily Wurramara)
Odeon Theatre, Hobart, TAS*
Tickets on sale at 10am local time, Thursday, February 20, from The Whitlams’ website
