Jon Spencer – erstwhile frontman of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – has announced his debut solo tour of Australia for October 2025. The American blues-rock veteran will be joined by bassist Kendall Wind and drummer Macky “Spider” Bowman, with whom Spencer recorded his album Sick Of Being Sick! in 2024. The full list of tour dates, as well as ticketing information, can be found below.
Spencer’s Australian tour is being subtitled Sings The Hits!, with the singer-songwriter and his band performing selections from across his 42-year career – including his solo work, Blues Explosion, Pussy Galore, Boss Hog and Jon Spencer & The Hitmakers. In addition to his headlining shows, Spencer and co. will also perform at the Wave Rock Weekender in Perth alongside the likes of Magic Dirt, Drapht, Henry Wagons (performing his Johnny Cash tribute show) and Donny Benét.
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – ‘2 Kindsa Love’
Spencer last toured Australia in August of 2015, on what ended up being the final time the Blues Explosion toured the country before splitting up a year later. Australia was a frequent touring destination for the Blues Explosion – in fact, per Setlist.FM, it was the band’s third most-toured country behind the UK and their native US. They first toured the country in 1993, before returning in 1994, 1997, 1999 (for Bluesfest), 2002, 2005 (for Big Day Out), 2011 and 2013 (for Golden Plains).
The band’s 1997 visit was immortalised with an infamous performance on ABC’s Recovery, in which they performed ‘2 Kindsa Love’. At its conclusion, the band immediately broke into their song ‘Flavor’, with Spencer running through the audience and tearing down the set – all while screaming the mantra “the blues is number one!” Their performance was featured in the documentary Recovery: The Music & The Mayhem, which was aired on Recovery‘s home of the ABC back in 2019.
Jon Spencer Sings The Hits! 2025 Tour
- Friday, September 26th – The Rechabite, Perth WA
- Saturday, September 27th – Wave Rock Caravan Park, Hyden WA
- Monday, September 29th – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle WA
- Tuesday, September 30th – The Night Cat, Melbourne VIC
- Friday, October 3rd – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine VIC
- Sunday, October 5th – Crowbar, Brisbane VIC
- Monday, October 6th – Factory Theatre, Sydney NSW
A pre-sale for the tour is set for 10am local time on Thursday, July 24th. General sale then follows on Friday, July 25th – again at 10am local time. Both can be accessed via tour promoter Love Police.
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