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Right now, legendary pop pioneers Sparks are enjoying a huge resurgence, with levels of interest in their work at heights unsurpassed in their 50+ year career.

For the first time since 2001, LA pop rock duo Sparks bring their creative genius and singularly spectacular live show to Australia, to perform headline showsat some of the most beautiful theatres in the country, including the iconic Sydney Opera House, Melbourne’s Palais Theatre and Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall, as well as Harvest Rock festival in Adelaide.

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Most people with even a passing acquaintance with Sparks, will know the basics. How Californian brothers Ron and Russell Mael, both students at UCLA, began making music together in the late Sixties, originally under the name Halfnelson. How their 1974 Top Of The Pops debut with ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us’ stunned a generation, nearly scoring them a UK No.1. How their career moved through many phases, including art rock, glam, big band swing, electro-disco, new wave and synthpop. How keyboardist Ron’s intricate staccato arrangements combine with the acrobatic vocals in which Russell delivers his brother’s always-on-point lyrics. How Ron’s stern, intimidating visage contrasts onstage with Russell’s hyperactivity. How “the greatest band you’ve never heard of”, has influenced generations of artists from Joy Division, Duran Duran and Depeche Mode to Bjork, Beck and beyond. How their impact on modern music cannot be overstated, with super-producer Jack Antonoff recently declaring “All pop music is re-arranged Sparks. That’s the truth!”.

And just like their incredible 50-year history, their fan base spans generations. While some fans have been with Sparks since the very beginning, others have more recently discovered them via their 2021 career-spanning documentary, The Sparks Brothers, a musical odyssey directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver) which takes you through five weird and wonderful decades of Ron and Russell Mael, and has since reached cult status.

They’ve also garnered much attention via their musical collaborations with Todd Rundgren, Les Rita Mitsouko, Tony Visconti, Franz Ferdinand and Giorgio Moroder, even teaming up with Faith No More in 2009 to create a rock n roll version of their biggest hit ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both Of Us’. Then of course there’s Sparks’ chance encounter with Cate Blanchett, which resulted in Blanchett dancing in both their music video for ‘The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte’ and on stage with Sparks at Glastonbury last month.

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Cate Blanchett

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Now into their sixth decade of making music, Sparks have never been more relevant. Once again Top 10 regulars, with studio albums Hippopotamus (2017) A Steady Drip, Drip,Drip (2020), The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte (2023) all reaching No.7 in the UK and receiving global acclaim.

To coincide with the release of their 26th album, the bold, genre-defying master-piece, The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte, Ron and Russell Mael have taken to the road for a world tour that has included two sold out headline shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall, performances at Primavera Sound Festival and the largest headline show of the band’s career at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl, as well as an appearance on the much revered NPR Tiny Desk Concert.

Now, excited to return to Australia, Ron and Russell Mael tell us that “‘2023 has been an amazing year in Sparks’ world. Not only the fantastic reception to our latest album The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte, but seeing all our exuberant fans at every stop on our world tour. And now that world has gotten bigger. We’re headed to Australia for four shows to culminate the year. We’ve played many iconic venues this year and now we’re happy to add the Sydney Opera House to that list. Also, we’re coming for first time performances in Adelaide and Brisbane, along with a return to Melbourne after 22 years. We look forward to seeing all our Australian fans very soon Down Under!”

With worldwide media praising their spectacular live show, it truly is an experience not to miss.

The Guardian “Proper musical thrills… impossible not to be swept up in their manic delight.” ★★★★

The Sun “Eccentric, original, outstanding….” ★★★★★

The Sunday Mirror “Pop’s best kept secret may be well and truly out.” ★★★★★

The Times “A delight from start to finish.”

Mojo “A unique and glorious spectacle.”

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SPARKS
AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES

Thursday 26 October 2023 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne – Buy Tickets
Sunday 29 October 2023 – Harvest Rock, Adelaide – Buy Tickets
Tuesday 31 October 2023 – Sydney Opera House, Sydney – Buy Tickets
Thursday 2 November 2023 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane – Buy Tickets

Tickets are on sale to the general public Friday 25 August 9am local

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Follow SPARKS
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

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AMNPLIFY – DB