Times like these: Foo Fighters to rock Geelong

ROCK & Roll Hall Of Famer band Foo Fighters will return to Australia in just over a week, with a history-making performance at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium on March 4.

The 12-time Grammy-winning band will arrive in Australia next week, with this exclusive, one-off concert – Foo Fighters’ first performance down under since 2018.

This will be the first time a full-capacity stadium show by any international music artist has taken place in Australia since the COVID pandemic first hit back in March 2020.

After two years of live music virtually being on hold, and with our international borders now re-open for business, Foo Fighters – Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear and Rami Jaffee – will arrive in Victoria next week to celebrate the state’s extraordinary reputation as the live music capital of Australia.

The news of Foo Fighters’ coming Geelong concert was announced today (Wednesday, February 23) in partnership with the Victorian government’s major event ALWAYS LIVE – a new, statewide celebration of contemporary live music taking place later this year.

Bringing together icons of Australia’s music scene with emerging local talent and some of the best global acts on the planet, the ALWAYS LIVE program will feature shows of all scales and styles, created and curated for Victoria’s special venues, places and stages. Supported by the Victorian Government, the impetus for ALWAYS LIVE was initially conceived by former Mushroom Group chair Michael Gudinski.

“ALWAYS LIVE was a passion project for my dad to ensure Victoria continued to be recognised as the music capital of Australia, and Melbourne as one of the leading music cities in the world,” ALWAYS LIVE chair Matt Gudinski said.

“I know Dad would be very proud to see the event launched and form a major part of re-establishing a thriving live music scene.”

Foo Fighters will be joined in Geelong by special guests Amyl and The Sniffers – whose 2021 album Comfort to Me debuted at #2 in Australia, #21 in the UK, and #18 in the US, and was BBC6’s Album of the Day – as well as Melbourne punk royalty The Meanies, who’ve been kicking out the jams for three decades now, most recently heard on 2020’s Desperate Measures.

“The Foo Fighters always put on an epic performance and this concert will further cement our position as Australia’s home of live music,” Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said.

“The ALWAYS LIVE program will deliver live music right across Victoria with both local and international artists – showcasing the state on the global stage.”

To be involved in the ALWAYS LIVE program, expressions of interest are open until February 27.

Tickets for Foo Fighters’ Geelong gig go on sale at noon this Friday, February 25 at Frontier Touring’s website.