An odd Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Future Music Festival sideshow led a bunch of Australian tour announcements and changes on Wednesday.
Macklemore, coming off a dominant Grammy haul, will be Down Under next month for Future Music Festival but will play just a lone sideshow for Aussie fans.
Not your typical sideshow, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are hitting the seldom seen by international stars Newcastle in New South Wales for a one-off event on Wednesday, March 5.
The pair will be joined at Future by the likes of Deadmau5, Phoenix, Hardwell, Knife Party and Eric Prydz as part of the bill to Australia’s premier electronic music festival after hauling in awards including Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Album at last week’s Grammys.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Australian Sideshow
Wednesday, March 5 – Newcastle (Entertainment Centre)
The Arctic Monkeys have announced their upcoming Australian tour will be supported by the Nick Allbrook-led Pond.
Alt rockers Royal Blood will no longer be travelling with the Arctic Monkeys when they hit Australia in May for a six-stop national tour. They will instead be replaced by psychedelic rock outfit Pond, who have strong connections to Tame Impala and have gained national recognition with a number of high polling Hottest 100 efforts over the past few years.
Arctic Monkeys Australian Tour with Pond
Tuesday, May 6 – Sydney (Sydney Entertainment Centre)
Wednesday, May 7 – Brisbane (Brisbane Entertainment Centre)
Friday, May 9 – Melbourne (Rod Laver Arena)
Saturday, May 10 – Adelaide (AEC Theatre) SOLD OUT
Tuesday, May 13 – Perth (Perth Arena)
Megadeth are apparently feuding with another Soundwave Festival act, Newsted, the band of ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted.
Newsted have been kicked as the supporting act for two upcoming Megadeth sideshows with the heavy music festival less than three weeks out from its kick off.
“At the request of Megadeth, Newsted will not be playing the above Sidewave shows and instead will be replaced by Whitchapel,” said Soundwave organisers in a statement.
Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah was also shocked by the news, responding to fan tweets saying “last I heard they were getting on great on tour” and “something has certainly gone down although we have no details.”
Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine once belonged to Metallica while Newsted was a member until 2001 when he quit.
The Megadeth news isn’t the only odd soundbite coming from the festival- last week headliners Stone Temple Pilots withdrew from the festival citing urgent recording commitments.
The band has since backtracked on their original statement, now claiming they are tied to further tour commitments in Hawaii, Indonesia and the Middle East.
Megadeth/Volbeat/ Whitechapel Soundwave Sideshows
Tuesday, February 25 –Sydney (UNSW Roundhouse)
Thursday, February 27 – Melbourne (The Forum)
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