The Horrors On Returning To Australia In 2026

After a 14-year drought between Aussie headline tours (we checked), UK rock shapeshifters The Horrors are finally coming back down under this April, and they’re doing it in their boldest new form yet. Fresh off the release of their sixth studio album Night Life, the band will hit Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, bringing their shadowy new era to local stages for the very first time.

Music Feeds caught up with frontman Faris Badwan for a yarn ahead of the trip, who revealed that Night Life wasn’t just another album – it was a full-blown band reset.

The Horrors – ‘LA Runaway’

“With this album we kind of reorganised the band,” Faris told us. “It was basically just me and Rhys in his bedroom for a long time, with no outside input. Writing with fewer people meant I could go deeper emotionally – it was a completely different way of working.”

That stripped-back approach has resulted in a record that trades nightclub hedonism for something heavier, moodier and more introspective – a late-night head-trip as opposed to a dancefloor banger.

And while Night Life is the first Horrors album not to feature all five OG members, Faris reckons the new lineup – featuring Amelia Kidd on keys and Telegram’s Jordan Cook on drums – has slotted in effortlessly.

“Amelia can play such a range of things – I’d worked with her years ago and always knew how talented she was,” the band leader added. “Jordan’s played with Telegram and has toured with us before. Bringing in new people after 20 years is hard, but honestly, they’re the perfect additions.”

“Australia feels like the part of the world that hasn’t quite gone bad yet”

The Horrors last touched down in Australia in 2025 for Tassie’s carnival of shadows Dark Mofo and a special 3RRR set, and Faris still can’t stop talking about it.

“Dark Mofo might be the best festival I’ve ever played,” he swooned. “The attention to detail, the unpredictability – I’ve never really experienced anything like it.”

He also recalled meeting fans who’d been there since the very beginning, reflecting: “Someone came to see us who’d been at our very first Australian show in 2007. I love seeing people grow up with you – maybe they’ve got kids now… or maybe they’ve named their dog Faris.”

As for what he’s most excited about this time around? “We just really enjoy being there. Australia feels like the part of the world that hasn’t quite gone bad yet,” he says.

Honestly? So fair.

Rom-coms, writing on planes & what’s next

While the long-haul flight down under might be br00tal, Faris has turned these dreaded timezone-crossing air schleps into a creative sweet spot.

“Flying puts me in a really particular headspace – it’s great for writing,” he said. “Also, whenever I’m on a plane I suddenly get the urge to watch romantic comedies. No idea why.”

His go-to: “When Harry Met Sally. Classic.”

Between tours, the band are already writing again – and even dropping a David Bowie double cover of ‘Weeping Wall’ and ‘Heroes’ in the coming weeks.

So yeah – if you thought Night Life was just a one-off reinvention, think again.

You can take The Horrors’ new record for a spin here, or grab tickets to their forthcoming Aussie headline tour down below!