Naarm based heartthrobs DOLLS have set forth their second EP - DRAMATIC - upon the earth and want to celebrate. That’s where you come in. And by come in, we mean come in to THE GOV this October 23rd to wish DOLLS a merry and prosperous releasing.

Joined by Lola, Hesh and Molly Rocket, The Gov Balcony is set to be carved up like Christmas ham.

DOLLS the 'Dramatic' Tour - Adelaide

Twenty-five years on, Watching Angels Mend still feels like a record that found people when they needed it most — honest, melodic, and quietly fearless. Released at the turn of the century, it became a defining chapter in Alex Lloyd’s story: songs that travelled far beyond their original rooms, soundchecks, and late-night scribbles, and into the lives of strangers who somehow knew every word.

In 2021, the 20-year anniversary should have been the moment to gather, reflect, and play those songs the way they were meant to be heard — loud, together, in a room. But COVID and lockdowns had other plans. Like so many artists and fans, the celebration was postponed, and that milestone passed without the shared catharsis it deserved.

Now, this 25-year show is the moment that was missed — a chance to honour the album’s legacy, and also the life it has had since: the years of touring, the shifting seasons, the hard-earned perspective, and the newer music that has grown from the same heart.

Over recent years, Alex Lloyd has evolved into arguably one of Australia’s most compelling live vocalists. There is a depth and control to his singing now that feels both effortless and hard-won — a voice shaped by experience, capable of moving from restraint to full emotional release. Each performance is soulful, grounded, and cathartic, capturing audiences with a presence that is both intimate and commanding.

Watching Angels Mend produced a remarkable run of singles, with “Amazing,” “Green,” and “Everybody’s Laughing” all reaching the Australian Top 40. “Amazing” would go on to become one of the most enduring Australian songs of its era, winning four ARIA Awards including Song of the Year, and earning a permanent place in the cultural landscape through its deep connection with listeners across generations.

Twenty-five years on, Watching Angels Mend still feels like a record that found people when they needed it most — honest, melodic, and quietly fearless. Released at the turn of the century, it became a defining chapter in Alex Lloyd’s story: songs that travelled far beyond their original rooms, soundchecks, and late-night scribbles, and into the lives of strangers who somehow knew every word.

In 2021, the 20-year anniversary should have been the moment to gather, reflect, and play those songs the way they were meant to be heard — loud, together, in a room. But COVID and lockdowns had other plans. Like so many artists and fans, the celebration was postponed, and that milestone passed without the shared catharsis it deserved.

Now, this 25-year show is the moment that was missed — a chance to honour the album’s legacy, and also the life it has had since: the years of touring, the shifting seasons, the hard-earned perspective, and the newer music that has grown from the same heart.

Over recent years, Alex Lloyd has evolved into arguably one of Australia’s most compelling live vocalists. There is a depth and control to his singing now that feels both effortless and hard-won — a voice shaped by experience, capable of moving from restraint to full emotional release. Each performance is soulful, grounded, and cathartic, capturing audiences with a presence that is both intimate and commanding.

Watching Angels Mend produced a remarkable run of singles, with “Amazing,” “Green,” and “Everybody’s Laughing” all reaching the Australian Top 40. “Amazing” would go on to become one of the most enduring Australian songs of its era, winning four ARIA Awards including Song of the Year, and earning a permanent place in the cultural landscape through its deep connection with listeners across generations.

Alex Lloyd

Armed with his signature wit, razor-sharp storytelling, and a complete inability to take himself seriously, Shane Todd is back with his brand new stand up show.

Shane Todd hosts the massively popular Tea With Me podcast and performs in some of the world's most famous comedy clubs.

Shane Todd

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS

DAY OF THE DEAD HALLOWEEN FIESTA

Adelaide’s BIGGEST annual Latin Halloween celebration returns to The Gov.

A unique blend of Día de los Muertos tradition and Halloween energy, bringing together music, culture and one massive party under one roof.

Step into a night of colour, big singalongs and non-stop Latin rhythms.

WHAT’S WAITING FOR YOU

• Live Latin bands & DJs

• Spectacular Mexican folklore dance shows by Mexican Revolution Dance Group

• Hora Loca with carnival-style energy, visuals & confetti

• Best costume prizes

• Free face painting

COME EARLY FOR THE SHOWS. STAY FOR THE PARTY.

Get your crew together, go all out on your outfit and make a night of it. This celebration only comes around once a year.

SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER

THE GOV · HINDMARSH

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

DAY OF THE DEAD HALLOWEEN FIESTA

Sacramento post-hardcore mainstays Dance Gavin Dance have announced an Australian headline tour for this November, joined by special guests and fellow post-hardcore veterans The Fall of Troy and Australian-led rockers Galleons.

The tour arrives in celebration of Dance Gavin Dance’s latest album, Pantheon, while also deep diving into their celebrated back catalogue.

Formed in Sacramento, California in 2005, Dance Gavin Dance - comprised of vocalist/guitarist Andrew Wells, co-vocalist Jon Mess, guitarist Will Swan and drummer Matthew Mingus - have long stood as one of alternative music’s most distinctive acts. A powerhouse of alternative music; true originals and originators alike, Dance Gavin Dance craft an exhilarating cacophony of sounds and disparate styles that harmonises everything from funk through metalcore to post-hardcore, pop sensibilities colliding with progressive, kaleidoscopic song structures.

With four Billboard 200 Top 15 albums to their name, millions of records sold, billions of streams, and one of the most devoted fanbases in modern heavy music, Dance Gavin Dance are as at home on the world’s most famous stages as they are hosting their own culture-defining annual festival, Swanfest. As the esteemed Rock Sound magazine attests: "There is no band on earth like Dance Gavin Dance."

Joining the Cali legends on the Australian run are The Fall of Troy, a musical force that has been pushing the boundaries of math rock since their formation in 2002. Hailing from Mukilteo, Washington, the band first made waves with their 2005 album Doppelgänger, which showcased their signature blend of technical proficiency and energy. Over the years, The Fall of Troy has continued to evolve, exploring new territory and challenging the very notions of time and structure. With each new release, they have cemented their place as one of the most innovative and daring bands in the world of math rock.

Completing the bill are Galleons, a band born out of a transcontinental collaboration between Australian and Eastern European musicians with a sound that effortlessly blends post-hardcore and math rock with a multitude of adjacent and disconnected genres. In the last decade Galleons has done their very best to solidify their place in the heavy music scene while collaborating with prominent musicians from iconic post-hardcore and alternative bands. Their captivating energy and love for the genre continues in its attempts to push boundaries and redefine what post-hardcore means to them and others.

Don't miss out on a lineup stacked with post-hardcore icons.

Dance Gavin Dance | Australian Tour

The Bobby Hawkers

Rock Classics 60’s to 90’s

Playing pubs and clubs throughout SA for well over 20 years now, the lads from The Bobby Hawkers are coming to The Gov on November 14.

Well known in country SA for their energy and anthem song choices, The Bobby Hawkers have played numerous gigs in front of fun loving crowds like the Diesel n Dust Show at Keith, KI Horse Racing Cup, Dudley Winery and great pubs like the Swan Reach Hotel.

Front man Andy Gilfillan hails from Kangaroo Island, Billy Walker is considered one of the best guitarists in SA and Wayne Chadwick and Brenton Ahrnes make up the rhythm section.

These guys have played hundreds of gigs all over SA and Victoria, over many years and are well known to music loving party people.

Join them at The Gov on November 14th and expect music from the Stones, Melancamp, Hunters, Skynard, JJ Cale, Creedance and more!

The Bobby Hawkers

Zep Boys: An Australian Rock Legacy

The Story of Australia’s Premier Led Zeppelin Experience

The Zep Boys are Australia’s most celebrated concept band, renowned for their electrifying renditions of Led Zeppelin’s timeless classics. Originating in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1986, the band was formed with a singular vision: to bring the live experience of Led Zeppelin to Australian audiences.

Their journey began with a daunting challenge—performing an entire set of Zeppelin songs live, a task that required skill, passion and integrity. Despite initial fears, their first gig was a sell-out, laying the foundation for decades of success and influence in Australia’s live music scene.

Over the past 40 years, the Zep Boys have pushed boundaries, collaborating with orchestras and gracing sweat-soaked pub stages alike. Their performances are guided by a philosophy of authenticity and respect for the music, never impersonating Led Zeppelin’s members but instead focusing on delivering the songs with fire, soul, and unmatched intensity. The band has perfected the craft of connecting with audiences, from intimate acoustic sets to massive outdoor concerts attended by tens of thousands.

Led by frontman Vince Contarino—whose powerful vocals and stage presence have drawn acclaim from international media—the Zep Boys’ line-up includes Jack Stevenson and Tzan Niko on lead guitar, Stuart Day on bass guitar and mandolin, and Julian Perotta on percussion. Together, they have become an institution in Australian music, inspiring countless tribute bands and helping shape the national live entertainment landscape.

Their dedication to the music of Led Zeppelin has not only cemented their place in Australian music history but also ensured that the spirit of classic rock remains alive for generations of fans.

Zep Boys

Dave Hole is Australia's most renowned and internationally celebrated blues man and is widely acclaimed as one of the all-time greats of slide guitar. He burst onto the international scene when his first album, “Short Fuse Blues” was picked up by America’s most prestigious blues label, the Chicago- based Alligator Records. He has since released a further nine critically acclaimed albums and is an Australian ARIA award winner.

Dave’s explosive live show and innumerable tours of the U.S. and Europe have solidified his stature as one of the very best blues guitarists playing today. He has headlined festivals in America and all across Europe.

His fiery musicianship has earned him public praise from such rock and blues legends as Gary Moore and Metallica's Kirk Hammett.

Don’t miss this chance to settle in at The Gov and experience the unforgettable virtuosity of one of Australia’s finest live performers. This isn't just any blues gig; it's a monumental event that promises to resonate with you long after the last note fades away.

“Slide guitar fanatics will have their brains blown out … prepare to hear your jaw hitting the ground” – Billboard USA

“Magnificent, staggering, almost beyond belief…” – US Guitar Player Magazine

“His slide playing kills me” – Metallica’s Kirk Hammett

An Evening with Dave Hole

One of the UK’s most beloved and enduring pop groups, SAINT ETIENNE, are heading to Australia and New Zealand for the very last time. Following the announcement that their 2025 album International would be their final studio release, the iconic trio will take their celebrated catalogue on a farewell tour across the region this November and December.

Released in September 2025, International was met with rapturous acclaim, returning Saint Etienne to the UK Top 10 and reaffirming their status as one of Britain’s most treasured musical institutions. Now, fans across Australia and New Zealand will have the rare chance to experience the band’s shimmering, genre blurring sound live, one final time.

With a career spanning more than three decades, Saint Etienne’s songbook is rich with classics including ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’, ‘Spring’, ‘Nothing Can Stop Us’, ‘You’re In A Bad Way’, ‘He’s On The Phone’ and ‘Wood Cabin’ tracks that helped define an era of British pop and continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Formed in 1990 by Croydon natives Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs, Saint Etienne struck gold from the outset with their debut single, a transformative cover of Neil Young’s ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’, which quickly became a club anthem. The arrival of vocalist Sarah Cracknell in 1991 completed the definitive lineup, her debut on ‘Nothing Can Stop Us’ and the Mercury Prize nominated album Foxbase Alpha cementing the group’s place in UK pop history.

Their follow up album So Tough soared into the UK Top 10, leading to a landmark moment in 1994 when Saint Etienne became the first band ever broadcast live from Glastonbury Festival.

Now, after decades of innovation, reinvention and irresistible pop craftsmanship, Saint Etienne prepare to say goodbye to Australian and New Zealand audiences.

A final bow from one of Britain’s most cherished groups which is not to be missed.

Saint Etienne - Final Australian Tour

UK pop icon KIM WILDE has thrilled fans across the globe with her infectious hits and exciting live performances. Kim returns in 2026 to thrill Australian fans with The KIM WILDE - CLOSER TOUR.

KIM WILDE has always been very close to our hearts having charted three number-one mega-hits – ‘Kids In America’, ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’ and ‘If I Can’t Have You’ as well as a stack of other Top 40 hits including ‘Cambodia’, ‘You Came’, ‘View From A Bridge’, and ‘Chequered Love’. The blonde singer with the siren voice and girl-next-door appeal is one of pop music’s most dazzling stars. The French consider her the “Brigitte Bardot of Rock”; German fans still revere her as the sexiest glamour girl to come out of the 80s.

KIM has sold over 30 Million records globally and is the most successful British female artist of the 80s! Not to rest on her laurels, Kim has also received a Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show.

This Australian tour marks yet another significant milestone in KIM WILDE’s long and distinguished career, and highlights her enduring popularity and influence in the pop music world. Australia fell deeply in love with KIM WILDE in the 80s and 90s, and it’s a love affair that continues on to today!

Make sure not to miss out on the queen of pop's Australian tour. You'll kick yourself if you do.

The Kim Wilde CLOSER TOUR

All Nereids (and Australians) Beware, this November Michigan post-hardcore icons CHIODOS are set to return to Australian stages for the first time in over a decade, bringing their All's Well That Ends Well 20th Anniversary Tour down under, joined by special guests RAIN CITY DRIVE (USA) and THE BEAUTIFUL MONUMENT.

Forming in 2001, CHIODOS has remained more than a single moment or scene for decades. Co-founded by frontman Craig Owens, with his raw vocals and confessional fire turning chaos into catharsis, CHIODOS would ultimately become a movement buoyed by an adventurous and rule-breaking spirit; a spirit that instantly put them on the map via their 2005 debut album All's Well That Ends Well.

Layered with moments of intensity and vulnerability, 2005's All's Well That Ends Well established both the disparate and formidable vocal range of Owens while showcasing a mix of frenetic breakdowns, madcap synths, soaring melodies, caustic shrieks and haunting pianos. Introducing enduring fan favourite CHIODOS tracks like Baby You Wouldn't Last a Minute on the Creek and The Words "Best Friend" Become Redefined, with the latter receiving RIAA Gold certification, All's Well That Ends Well was genre-defiance at its finest, while also emerging as a landmark record in the scene in the mid 2000s. In 2025, Owens also re-recorded the album in full for its 20th anniversary.

CHIODOS emerged from a hiatus in 2024 when they were invited to play When We Were Young. From there, the band amassed sold out tours, including a packed Hollywood Palladium crowd, continuing to grow intergenerational fans singing every word to this very day. Most recently commencing a brand new chapter with the release of their explosive new single TAPDAT, CHIODOS continue their legacy bigger and better than ever before in 2026, and Australians will be able to witness this first hand this November when the band return down under for the first time since 2015.

A band who could readily soundtrack anything and everything from long drives through to workouts, small club shows and sprawling festival crowds, Florida's own RAIN CITY DRIVE have been crafting their immersive trademark sound since releasing their 2020 debut full-length To Better Days, which accounts for 40 million streams alone against their eye-watering streaming stats. In a short space of time, the group have toured with Dance Gavin Dance, Our Last Night, Set It Off, From Ashes To New and Memphis May Fire, bridging between heavy riffs and soaring, intimate pop with each new release and captivating live performance. With over one million monthly listeners on Spotify, a collab under their belt with Rory Rodriguez of Dayseeker, Billboard chart rankings and climbing SiriusXM Octane's rotation charts along the way, RAIN CITY DRIVE blur boundaries between post hardcore and aggressive melody, primed to enamour Australian once again this year after their debut down under headline tour earlier this year.

Melbourne's THE BEAUTIFUL MONUMENT have remained fluent in fusing emotion alongside high-energy and hard-hitting riffs, spanning their 2017 debut album I'm The Sin through to the hotly-anticipated upcoming release of their third studio album Euphoric Thriller. Boasting a live presence that is equal parts magnetic, raw, vulnerable and powerful, THE BEAUTIFUL MONUMENT have shared stages with the likes of Evanescence, Escape The Fate, Short Stack and many more, and continuously share their central message that "it's okay not to be okay", threaded through each album and live performance. In a world that feels heavier than ever, THE BEAUTIFUL MONUMENT offer a port in the storm, unifying with catharsis and unforgettable music.

Chiodos ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ 20 Year Anniversary Tour

Fischer-Z Announce First Ever Australian Tour in 2026

Fischer-Z will embark on their first ever Australian tour in November and December 2026, joining the band’s worldwide 50th anniversary celebrations.

While Fischer-Z have never previously toured Australia, their music has enjoyed genuine chart success here. Fischer-Z’s breakthrough global hit “So Long” (1980) peaked at #15 on the Kent Music Report (pre-ARIA era) and earned the band significant national airplay. Coupled with the charting success of the later single “The Perfect Day” (1987 - #12 on the ARIA Charts), these achievements gave Fischer-Z a strong foothold with Australian audiences and laid the foundations for a loyal fan base. Australia continues to rank as Fischer-Z’s fourth biggest market for Spotify streaming.

Fischer-Z’s story is steeped in the unconventional. John Watts first entered the pop music world in the 1970s, after studying clinical psychology — working in an experimental psychiatric facility that didn’t use drugs or restraints. “I’d be doing a shift there from 8–4pm then get in a van to do a gig in Derby,” John Watts recalls. “I’d literally dealt with raging psychos all day, so I wasn’t afraid of the punk crowds. You go out and play in Wolverhampton ... some snotty little 17-year-olds who threaten to put a cigarette out on your leg and you think, ‘Well, come on then!’”

In 1976, Watts teamed up with synth player Steve Skolnik at Brunel University to form Fischer-Z. Their reputation for political songwriting, and frenetic energy earned them a recording deal with United Artists in 1978, putting them in the company of peers like The Stranglers and Buzzcocks.

Their debut album Word Salad (1979) made waves in the burgeoning post-punk world. Fischer-Z’s biggest global chart hit “So Long” (1980) became one of the first music videos ever aired on MTV, propelling Fischer-Z onto the world stage. Their third album, Red Skies Over Paradise (1981), featured the tracks “Marliese” and “Berlin,” and remains one of their most commercially successful efforts.

Across Fischer-Z’s five-decade career, they have released more than 23 albums and sold over two million records. They’ve played more than 3,000 concerts across Europe, North America, and beyond. Collaborators have included Peter Gabriel, Steve Cropper and the Brass Section of Dexy’s Midnight Runners. Fischer -Z have shared stages with giants like James Brown (167,000-strong crowd in East Berlin), toured with The Police and Dire Straits, and appeared alongside Bob Marley on his final European festival tour.

In recent years, Watts has expanded his creative practice beyond music into multimedia art, poetry and theatre, while carrying forward a reputation for warmth, humanity and restless curiosity. His 2025 project PUNKT! fuses his talents in music, words and visual art into a singular vision.

2026 is a watershed — 50 years since Fischer-Z’s founding in 1976. “I can’t believe it’s already been 50 years,” says John. “It’s been a hell of a journey, full of ups and downs but I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone and I’m up for it! Here’s to many more years of new music, shows and art.”

To mark the milestone, Fischer-Z will embark on an extensive world tour in Spring and Autumn 2026, visiting Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Portugal, the UK — and for the first time ever — Australia.

At the same time, the band will release a celebratory album titled 50/50. The LP is split: 5 brand new songs (3 earmarked as singles) and 5 re-imagined versions of Watts’ favourites from the first five albums.

Accompanying the album will be a high-quality anniversary package, celebrating Watts’ career and the musical journey of Fischer-Z.

Fischer-Z’s influence, dedication, and longevity have earned them a devoted, cult following across generations