PROTOMARTYR
AUSTRALIA 2026

“The best band we’ve got in America right now…”  Iggy Pop

Motor City post punk faves Protomartyr return to Australia in 2026, bringing their anthemic atmospheric darkness after an 8 year absence. 

The Midwest outfit, touted as favourite band to a long list of luminaries and contemporaries alike, have issued a rich six album catalogue of essential post punk all processed through the gritty city filter of Detroit and the local guitar bands that came before them.

“A desolate, apocalyptic sound to match these depressing times.” The Independent

Protomartyr have mastered the art of evoking place: the grinding Midwest humility of their hometown, as well as the x-rayed elucidation of America that comes with their vantage.  The group’s sixth album was recorded at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, TX with producer Jake Aron. “The desert is more of a metaphor or symbol,” singer Joe Casey says, “of emotional deserts, or a place or time that seems to lack life.” 

The “growth” came from a period of colossal transition for Casey, including the death of his mother. But life does go on, and Casey describes the great theme of Formal Growth In The Desert as an embrace and acknowledgment of that fact: a 12-song testament to “getting on with life,” even when it feels impossibly hard.

“…slow-burn apocalypse of ennui and injustice.” The Guardian

Joining Protomartyr in Sydney are garage powerpop supergoup Antenna featuring members of Royal Headache & Neighbours, along with rising post punk outfit Bennets Grove. In Melbourne Protomartyr host Naarm buzz trio Npcede, with barrelling Adelaide noise rockers Twine and Brisbane’s Craning.

SYDNEY

THURSDAY 18TH JUNE MARY’S UNDERGROUND 

Special guests

Antenna & Bennetts Grove 

MELBOURNE

FRIDAY 19TH JUNE  NIGHT CAT

Special guests

Npcede

Twine & Craning

*For Brisbane + Hobart tickets, visit the Festival’s websites*

TICKETS ON SALE THURSDAY 16TH APRIL VIA MOSHTIX AND THE VENUES

Presented by DRW & Principal Entertainment