Californian rockers to growl in Torquay

AMERICAN  surf rockers The Growlers will be starting their jam-packed 2026 global tour down under on the Surf Coast.

The Growlers make their return to Australia after six long years on January 23 at the Torquay Hotel.

Fronted by the compelling presence of Brooks Nielsen, the band has built a devoted global fanbase by pioneering the Beach Goth aesthetic – a mix of surf-garage-pop and punk.

Their studio evolution reached a high point with the Casablancas–produced album City Club (2016) alongside the earlier Chinese Fountain (2014).

While The Growlers paused full touring in 2019, lead singer Brooks Nielson kept the creative engine running by releasing five solo albums and playing hundreds of shows worldwide.

Now, with longtime drummer Richard Gowen back in the fold, the chemistry that defined their best live shows has returned.

“These songs mean a lot to me — and to the people who’ve carried them all these years,” Nielson said.

“This tour is about celebrating the music, the band, and everyone who’s been part of the ride.

“There’s a special kind of joy that happens when the songs are played live — that connection between the music and the fans — and it’s something I’ve really missed.

“The Growlers have a deep catalog, hundreds of songs from many chapters, and it feels right to get back out there and honour that whole journey together.”

The band’s resurgence arrives with fresh music, including swaggering new singles Feel My Funk and Crisis.

The Growlers are back and ready to celebrate the songs, the fans, and the legacy that’s brought them here.

For more information, head to torquayhotel.com.au/gigs