Sleater-Kinney Are Touring Down Under in May Three Decades After Recording Their First Album in Australia

When Sleater-Kinney, aka Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, take to the stage Down Under in May 2024, they won't just be touring their latest album. And they aren't simply making their first trip this way in eight years, since 2016, either. Started under the riot grrrl movement, the group will also celebrate 30 years since forming, plus just as long since they recorded their self-titled first record in a single night in Australia.

That album has been followed by ten more studio releases, with Little Rope their latest. That gives the duo — after Janet Weiss left the band in 2019 — plenty to play through on a five-city visit to Australia and New Zealand. The tour commences in Auckland, then heads to Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, hitting up theatre-sized venues.

"For all intents and purposes, Sleater-Kinney got its start in Australia. We recorded our first album and played our first-ever shows there," said Brownstein, announcing the Down Under leg of the tour.

"Because of that, Australia feels like one of the band's spiritual homes, and returning there always feels like a homecoming, a reunion."

Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons

Sleater-Kinney have a stack of US dates locked in before hitting Australia and New Zealand, and will then make their way around Europe in August. Everywhere they play, fans can expect tunes from Little Rope — including singles 'Hell' and 'Say It Like You Mean It' — likely alongside past tracks such as 'One More Hour', 'Worry with You' and 'Jumpers'.

As well as their three decades together — with a hiatus between 2007–13, between 2005's exceptional The Woods and 2015's No Cities to Love — Tucker has stints with Heavens to Betsy, Cadallaca, The Corin Tucker Band and Filthy Friends to her name, while Brownstein co-created and co-starred in Portlandia. Carol, Transparent, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Irma Vep are also on Brownstein's filmography.

Raph_PH via Wikimedia Commons

Sleater-Kinney Little Rope Australian and New Zealand Tour 2o24:

Wednesday, May 15 — Powerstation, Auckland
Friday, May 17 — Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Sunday, May 19 — Forum, Melbourne
Tuesday, May 21 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Thursday, May 23 — Metropolis, Fremantle

Sleater-Kinney are touring Australia and New Zealand in May 2024, with ticket pre-sales from 10am local time on Wednesday, February 21 and general sales from 10am local time on Friday, February 23. Head to the tour website for further details.

Top image: Justin Higuchi via Wikimedia Commons.