Music documentary screening at Pivotonian Cinema

AUSTRALIAN band Kingswood has preserved its record-breaking tour of Australia with a feature-length documentary, which will be screened in Geelong later this year.

Last year, Kingswood embarked on what would become Australia’s longest music tour.

The Hometowns Tour encompassed 112 shows across the span of six months, taking the band to every corner of the nation and to more than 60,000 fans.

It not only exposed Kingswood to audiences new and old alike while playing songs from sixth studio album Home, but it also redefined the group as a live unit. The relentless grind of the tour brought Kingswood closer together while also pushing the members into visceral emotional territory.

The entire journey has been documented and brought to life in the feature documentary Claptrap, which will premiere at the Astor Theatre before a tour of select cinemas along the east coast throughout April.

Directed by Darcy Newton and produced by Luca Catalano, Claptrap provides a compelling insight into the life of a touring musician, while also highlighting the charisma and electrifying nature of Kingswood’s members when they are in their natural element – on stages of all kinds.

“When Kingswood asked me, a 23-year-old filmmaker, to document Australia’s longest ever tour, I knew that if I actually managed to make it home, the film would be very unique and strange,” Newton said.

“I wanted to create an unreplicable, charming and honest glimpse into the extraordinary world of touring musicians, and this became Claptrap.”

For Catalano and Newton, stepping into the world of live music and touring in this way left an indelible mark on them as creatives.

“We are filmmakers still from a maturing generation, whose voice, perspectives and concerns aren’t hugely represented on the big screen yet,” the pair stated.

“It’s exciting to be able to contribute and complicate this representation.

“Certainly, this film has been made for fans of Kingswood. If you want to see your favourite rock band wake up together, sleep, eat, argue, dance, drive – and of course, perform – tune in.”

Kingswood has since released a seventh album, The Tale Of G.C. Townes, and has completed two further national tours.

“The documentary process was unusual and fantastical,” songwriter and guitarist Alexander Laska said.

“The most compelling aspect was being aware of, and willfully subjecting to the experience of one’s life being documented in the pursuit of artistic expression.”

Songwriter and guitarist Fergus Linacre added: “It was surprising how quickly and easily I was able to live as if there wasn’t a camera in my face all day.

“Credit to Darc and his ability to shoot surreptitiously, and to gain our trust. This enabled him to shoot more real-life moments providing the depth and intimacy you experience in the film.”

Kingswood’s accolades include an ARIA nomination for Best Rock album in 2014, six entries in triple J’s Hottest 100, two ARIA top 10 albums, four nominations at the coming 2025 Golden Guitar Awards, two J Awards, national support tours with the likes of AC/DC and Aerosmith, and 70 million total streams across the band’s catalogue.

Claptrap will be screened at The Pivotonian Cinema in Geelong on April 6, followed by a Q&A. For more information, head to kingswoodband.com and pivotcinema.com.au .