Dead Kennedys return after seven-year absence with politically-charged mayhem.
Dead Kennedys are set to smash their way through Australia and New Zealand this September, bringing their signature brand of politically charged punk back to our shores after a seven-year absence.
The San Francisco noise merchants have built their reputation on blistering live performances, razor-sharp commentary and an uncompromising attitude that continues to resonate four decades on.
Dead Kennedys 2025 Australia Tour
- Sept 16 – Powerstation, Auckland
- Sept 17 – Meow Nui, Wellington
- Sept 19 – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
- Sept 20 – Tivoli, Brisbane
- Sept 24 – Astor Theatre, Perth
- Sept 26 –The Gov, Adelaide
- Sept 27 – Metro Theatre, Sydney
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Fans can expect all the classics – Holiday in Cambodia, California Über Alles and Kill the Poor – alongside deep cuts and fan favourites that have made them punk rock royalty since their formation in 1978.
The current lineup features original members East Bay Ray slashing away on guitar and Klaus Flouride holding down the low end on bass. They’re joined by vocalist Ron “Skip” Greer, who’s been fronting the band since 2008, and drummer Steve Wilson, who stepped in following the passing of longtime beat-keeper D.H. Peligro in 2022.
While the faces might have changed, the band’s commitment to sonic warfare remains unwavering. Their upcoming antipodean tour comes amid a global resurgence of interest in protest music, with Dead Kennedys’ unflinching critique of capitalism, corporate greed and political corruption feeling as vital today as it did during the Reagan era.
For those too young to have caught them first time around, this tour offers a rare chance to witness genuine punk pioneers who helped shape the sound and ethos of an entire movement. Their influence extends well beyond their own discography, with countless bands citing them as a blueprint for how to merge politics with high-octane performance.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, these shows promise to deliver the kind of raw, unfiltered experience that’s increasingly rare in today’s sanitised music landscape.
The band may be in their fourth decade, but they’re showing no signs of mellowing – expect volume, intensity and a masterclass in punk rock delivery.
Tickets go on sale on April 15 at 12pm. Grab yours here.
