J Mascis | Credit: Merrick Ales/FilmMagic

J Mascis Announces 2024 Australian Headline Shows

December 7, 2023

Dinosaur Jr. frontman J Mascis has announced two solo headlining shows in Australia for February 2024, following on from his band announcing their Where You Been 30th anniversary tour. They will mark Mascis’ first solo shows in the country since 2019, when he toured in support of his third solo album Elastic Days.

Since he was last in Australia, Mascis has released Dinosaur Jr.’s 12th studio album Sweep It Into Space, which came out in April of 2021 and was produced by Kurt Vile – who also provided guitar parts on several tracks. He has also recorded a new solo album entitled What Do We Do Now, which is set for release on February 2nd – just weeks ahead of his return down under.

The album’s lead single, ‘Can’t Believe We’re Here’, was released last month. Its music video features several cameos from across the music and comedy world – including IDLES and Bully from the former and David Cross, Eugene Mirman and Fred Armisen from the latter.

J Mascis – ‘Can’t Believe We’re Here’

Dinosaur Jr., meanwhile, have not toured Australia since 2017 – which came in support of their 2016 album Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not. Due to a visa issue, drummer Murph missed his original flight and was substituted at the band’s first show at Sydney’s Metro Theatre for The Violators drummer Kyle Spence. Bassist Lou Barlow faced a similar issue, reportedly due to a typo, but was able to make the show. Murph, meanwhile, was able to make the rest of the tour once the issue was resolved.

In addition to their own headlining shows, Dinosaur Jr. will also perform at the second-annual Tent Pole festival in Geelong. They will be joined by Mogwai, Calexico and the 2023 Australian Music Prize winners RVG, among others.