The Drones have announced that they will reunite in May, playing two shows only as part of a benefit gig entitled Platonic Love Jam. The proceeds from both shows, to be held at Melbourne’s Croxton Bandroom, will go towards an undisclosed friend “to improve their life circumstances in a time of need”. More information on the shows can be found below.
Joining The Drones at both shows will be noise rock trio The Nation Blue, who themselves are reuniting after over four years, and MOD CON (fronted by Tropical Fuck Storm‘s Erica Dunn). Each night will have special guest performers, as well: On Wednesday, May 28th, Paul Kelly will perform in duo mode with his nephew and longtime friend of The Drones, Dan; on Thursday, May 29th, meanwhile, Cold Chisel pianist and acclaimed singer-songwriter Don Walker will play a solo set.
The Drones – ‘Taman Shud’
The Drones last performed at Fairgrounds Festival in Berry circa December 2016, on a line-up that also featured King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Ali Barter and the late Rodriguez. Since then, frontman Gareth Liddiard and his wife, bassist Fiona Kitschin, formed Tropical Fuck Storm and have put out three studio albums. Guitarist Dan Luscombe has worked as a producer, meanwhile, including on studio albums with the likes of Courtney Barnett and Floodlights. Sadly, the band’s longtime drummer Mike Noga passed away in 2020 at the age of 43. In 2023, it was announced that Kitschin had been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. Over $131,000 was raised in a GoFundMe to support Kitschin through her treatment, which concluded in April of 2024.
The band’s management have advised that these two shows will be The Drones’ only performances anywhere in Australia or the world, and that this reunion is not permanent. Tickets for both shows will go on sale from 9am AEDT on Friday, February 7th via Oztix. Night one’s ticketing can be found here, while night two can be found here.
Further Reading
The Drones’ Christian Strybosch On His Return To The Dream Job Of “Getting Drunk And Playing Drums”
