Thurston Moore Band

Rounding out what’s sure to be one of the most dynamic tours of the year, Frontier Touring are thrilled to announce that Gold Class and Harry Howard and the NDE (Melbourne show only) and will be joining Thurston Moore Band on their Australian shows this December.

Since seemingly materialising from thin air in 2014 and blindsiding the Australian music industry, Gold Class have set themselves apart with their unique take on post punk. Their appearances at this year’s BIGSOUND solidified them as one of the most exciting live acts on offer, which was made even more apparent at their rammed album launch at The Tote in October. The heaving audience experienced first-hand how Michael Curly and his counterparts can take you to so many places within the lifespan of a Gold Class set – Gold Class’s critically acclaimed debut record It’s You is out now through Spunk Records. Gold Class will be appearing at all three Australian shows.

‘Gold Class matter.’ – The Music

‘A brilliant post-punk compendium.’ – Stereogum

‘This is going to be one of those shows we’ll be asking each other about for years: were you there?’ – Beat

Seminal Melbourne musicians Harry Howard and the NDE are comprised of an all-star line-up: legendary songwriter Harry Howard on vocals and guitar, Edwina Preston on keys and vocals, and Dave Graney and Clare Moore making up the rhythm section. They are currently working on their third album, due for release in March 2016.

The band share colourful histories, Harry’s including involvement with Birthday Party, membership of Crime and the City Solution and These Immortal Souls with brother, Rowland S Howard. Prior to the release of their albums Near Death Experience in 2012 and Pretty in 2013, these individuals emerged from their various musical collectives – also including The Moll Flanders and The Moodists. The pairing of Harry Howard and the NDE, a formative outfit and veterans of the Melbourne music trail, with the Thurston Moore Band will be truly incredible to witness. 

‘An excellent example of Melbourne’s rich musical heritage and experience at its dirty best.’ – The Music

‘Dark, atmospheric rock that reeks of sticky carpet.’ – The Dwarf

‘Deliciously unbalanced and a raunchy grind of degenerate rock that could only be derived from experience.’ – Beat  

With a combination of deserved hype and formative experience making up Thurston Moore Band’s special guests, this is a tour not to be missed. Tickets are on sale now! 

He redefined modern music as the co-founder of seminal New York City no wave four-piece Sonic Youth, a band who paved the way for Nirvana and were instrumental in the alt-rock US scene. Frontier Touring are thrilled to announce the Thurston Moore Band will hit Australia and New Zealand this December, performing headline shows in Auckland, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, before their appearance at Victoria’s sold out Meredith Music Festival.

‘Nobody does dissonant chug like Moore’ – Rolling Stone

‘The Best Day is the best Sonic Youth-related album of the new decade’ – PopMatters

‘He’s done it hundreds of times, but it’s totally electrifying’ – NME

‘Tonight proves that Thurston Moore will always remain a force of musical nature ... He truly is one of a kind.’ – Louder Than War

From his own critically acclaimed solo albums, to signing artists like Andrew WK, Violent Soho and Be Your Own Pet to his Ecstatic Peace! record label, to collaborations with icons such as Yoko Ono and Beck, and compositions preserved by the US Library of Congress (Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation), Thurston Moore is a true sonic explorer.

Recorded with guitarist James Sedwards, ex-My Bloody Valentine bassist Debbie Googe, and Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley, The Best Day (out now through Matador Records/Remote Control) is Moore’s most recent longplayer – a record defined by positivity and radical love, featuring tracks like ‘The Best Day’. Listen to a recent BBC interview about the album here.

Live on stage in New Zealand and Australia, Moore will be performing tracks from The Best Day as well as older favourites including much-loved Sonic Youth songs, meaning fans will get their first chance to see Moore and Shelley up on stage together since the group’s final Daydream Nation tour back in 2007.

From experimental poetry to dissonant guitar thrills, Thurston Moore’s love of music and music history is well documented. First making his start in New York City’s heady noise scene back in the 80s, he has gone on to create a rich, varied discography. As part of Sonic Youth since their formation in 1981, for three decades Moore delivered over 17 studio album and countless ground-breaking collaborations.

His first solo album was 1995’s critically acclaimed Psychic Hearts, followed by Trees Outside The Academy (2007) and Demolished Thoughts (2011) and the moving Chelsea Light Moving (2013). Moore will round out the collection with a brand new album due for release next year, co-produced by Grammy-winner Paul Epworth (Adele, Crystal Castles).

From acoustic ballads to black metal experimentation, Moore regularly moves between disciplines. As a music and art critic Moore’s shown his word skills via editing zines, writing poetry, and reviewing for bimonthly Arthur Magazine. College students in Colorado recently enjoyed his tutelage at a summer writing program and he’s even found time to narrate the odd National Geographic documentary.

No stranger to our shores, Moore’s legendary guitar skills – together with his esteemed bandmates – for these four headline shows are not to be missed!