The Drones

“The Drones evoke the Angry Penguins cultural movement, reinventing – and repudiating”

The Guardian

“Liddiard has disdain for the idea of a songwriting muse with other-worldly inspiration; as quite possibly the best songwriter in Australia, he's concerned mainly with process and application. He simply had a task to complete.” Sydney Morning Herald

Back by popular demand after a 10-year sabbatical, The Drones are reforming for a one-off tour of Australia in 2026.

In June 2025 the band played mini sets for two fundraiser shows at the Croxton Bandroom in Melbourne. Shows sold out in 20 minutes, making it obvious that a lap of the country was in order!

So here you go, national dates, featuring songs spanning their seven studio albums! Don't miss your chance to see one of Australia's greatest underground bands live. This is a one-off tour.

Gareth Liddiard and Fiona Kitschin will take a mini break from their other baby, Tropical F Storm,which has spent the past ten years relentlessly touring the globe and releasing ARIA Award-winning records.

Sauntering along the edges of chaos and precision, The Drones built a reputation off the back of their iconic live shows, delivering epic performances that are both confrontational and liberating at the same time. Led by Gareth Liddard (Tropical F Storm, Springtime, Spencer P Jones and The Nothing Butts, Bond Odyssey), one of the most uncompromising, distinctive songwriters of modern times, marked by his dense poetic lyricism and spitting vocal style. Lauded by peers, fans and critics alike for his blend of political commentary, dark humour, vivid storytelling and brutal musical conveyance.

The Drones turned their outsider status into a badge of honour, releasing seven studio albums, withclassics like, ‘Taman Shud’, ‘To Think That I Once Loved You’, ‘Shark Fin Blues’, ‘Jezabel’, ‘Boredom’, ‘I See Seaweed’, ‘How To See Through Fog’ and ‘River Of Tears’.

They won the inaugural Australian Music Prize, for their LP ‘Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By’, and toured with the likes of Neil Young, Pattie Smith, The Dirty Three, to name a few.

In 2016, they returned to where it all began for five sold-out nights straight at The Tote. You can watch one full set here!

They will be joined by good mates and fellow Australian Music Prize winners, The Mess Hall, whohave also returned to live touring in 2026 after a decade-long hiatus. The Sydney powerhouse two-piece made a triumphant return at OK Motels’ Charlton edition earlier this year. Jed remains hot; they both still have hair. Albums include Notes From A Ceiling, Devils Elbow and For The Birds.

The Drones are:

Gareth Liddiard

Fiona Kitschin

Dan Luscombe

Christian Strybosch

Steve Hesketh

Back by popular demand after a 10-year sabbatical, The Drones are reforming for a one-off tour of Australia in 2026.

Sauntering along the edges of chaos and precision, The Drones built a reputation off the back of their iconic live shows, delivering epic performances that are both confrontational and liberating at the same time. Led by Gareth Liddard (Tropical F Storm, Springtime, Spencer P Jones and The Nothing Butts, Bond Odyssey), one of the most uncompromising, distinctive songwriters of modern times, marked by his dense poetic lyricism and spitting vocal style. Lauded by peers, fans and critics alike for his blend of political commentary, dark humour, vivid storytelling and brutal musical conveyance.

These shows will feature songs spanning their seven studio albums! Don't miss your chance to see one of Australia's greatest underground bands live. This is a one-off tour, joined by Mess Hall.

the drones

**DOORS: 7:30PM**
**SPACE: THE RECHABITE HALL**

*Sauntering along the edges of chaos and precision, **The Drones** built a reputation off the back of their iconic live shows, delivering epic performances that are both confrontational and liberating at the same time. Led by Gareth Liddard (Tropical F Storm, Springtime, Spencer P Jones and The Nothing Butts, Bond Odyssey), one of the most uncompromising, distinctive songwriters of modern times, marked by his dense poetic lyricism and spitting vocal style. Lauded by peers, fans and critics alike for his blend of political commentary, dark humour, vivid storytelling and brutal musical conveyance.*

*These shows will feature songs spanning their seven studio albums! Don't miss your chance to see one of Australia's greatest underground bands live. This is a one-off tour, joined by The Mess Hall. *

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**VENUE INFO**
ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE. We honour the Whadjuk Noongar people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live, work and play and offer our respect to Elders past, present and future.

**ENTRY REQUIREMENTS**
**Tickets. **If you are attending a ticketed event, please have your tickets ready to scan on entry.

**Bring ID.**
The Rechabite is a licensed venue and you may be asked for a valid ID at the entrance.
Anyone unable to provide ID may be refused entry. 

The Rechabite has a zero-tolerance approach to harassment, discriminatory, or anti-social behaviour. Please be kind to one another. If you see or experience anything that makes you feel unsafe please speak to our staff.

The venue reserves the right to refuse admission to any person.
Intoxicated persons will not be admitted.

**Minors. **
This is event is 18+ and minors will not be permitted to attend.

**ACCESSIBILITY**
If you have accessibility requirements or any questions about the venue or specific events, please get in touch at hello@therechabite.com.au

The Rechabite honours the Companion Card Scheme. Please contact us ahead of the event to request a companion ticket. For more info on Accessibility click here.

THE DRONES

THE DRONES *SOLD OUT*

Back by popular demand after a 10-year sabbatical, **The Drones** are reforming for a one-off tour of Australia in 2026.

Sauntering along the edges of chaos and precision, The Drones built a reputation off the back of their iconic live shows, delivering epic performances that are both confrontational and liberating at the same time. Led by **Gareth Liddard **(Tropical F Storm, Springtime, Spencer P Jones, The Nothing Butts, Bond Odyssey), one of the most uncompromising, distinctive songwriters of modern times, marked by his dense poetic lyricism and spitting vocal style. Lauded by peers, fans and critics alike for his blend of political commentary, dark humour, vivid storytelling and brutal musical conveyance.

These shows will feature songs spanning their seven studio albums! Don't miss your chance to see one of Australia's greatest underground bands live. 

This is a one-off tour with guest support from **Mess Hall**.

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**ACKNOWLEDGEMENT**
We acknowledge and respect the Palawa people as the traditional and ongoing owners of the skies, land, and water of Lutruwita. We pay our respects to their elders both past and present and acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded.

**SAFE SPACE**
We believe in safe and positive spaces where all people are welcome and respected. If you experience or see something that doesn't look right, please report it to one of our friendly staff.

**ACCESSIBILITY**
Level access is available from 112 Murray Street via the black and white laneway leading to the Garden. There is one accessible toilet. There is braille signage and tactile ground surface indicators throughout the venue. Please contact us via info@altarhobart.com.au prior to the show day or speak to staff at In The Hanging Garden for assistance.

****FRIDAY NIGHT SOLD OUT&mdash;NEW SHOW ADDED****

Back by popular demand after a 10-year sabbatical, **The Drones** are reforming for a one-off tour of Australia in 2026.

Sauntering along the edges of chaos and precision, The Drones built a reputation off the back of their iconic live shows, delivering epic performances that are both confrontational and liberating at the same time. Led by **Gareth Liddard **(Tropical F Storm, Springtime, Spencer P Jones, The Nothing Butts, Bond Odyssey), one of the most uncompromising, distinctive songwriters of modern times, marked by his dense poetic lyricism and spitting vocal style. Lauded by peers, fans and critics alike for his blend of political commentary, dark humour, vivid storytelling and brutal musical conveyance.

These shows will feature songs spanning their seven studio albums! Don't miss your chance to see one of Australia's greatest underground bands live. 

This is a one-off tour with guest support from **Mess Hall**.

---

*****

---

**ACKNOWLEDGEMENT**
We acknowledge and respect the Palawa people as the traditional and ongoing owners of the skies, land, and water of Lutruwita. We pay our respects to their elders both past and present and acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded.

**SAFE SPACE**
We believe in safe and positive spaces where all people are welcome and respected. If you experience or see something that doesn't look right, please report it to one of our friendly staff.

**ACCESSIBILITY**
Level access is available from 112 Murray Street via the black and white laneway leading to the Garden. There is one accessible toilet. There is braille signage and tactile ground surface indicators throughout the venue. Please contact us via info@altarhobart.com.au prior to the show day or speak to staff at In The Hanging Garden for assistance.

The Drones

Upcoming gigs