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The Damned Launch Final Australian & New Zealand Tour, Opening with 20-Song Set in Auckland
The Damned kicked off the last leg of their Australian and New Zealand tour on 8 September 2026, lighting up Auckland’s Powerstation with a 20‑song set that spanned five decades of punk history. The performance opened with the high‑energy “Street of Dreams” from Phantasmagoria (1985) and wound through the band’s catalog, from early punk staples like “New Rose” and “Neat Neat Neat” to gothic‑rock tracks such as “Is It A Dream” and “Shadow of Love.” The set also featured covers from their 2026 tribute album Not Like Everybody Else, including “Making Time,” a nod to Creation, and a drum solo that showcased Rat Scabies’ enduring skill.
The tour’s first show was the opening act of a four‑date run that will carry the band to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. In a Noise11 interview, drummer Rat Scabies explained that the group spent several days trimming its repertoire to a two‑hour set. “After 50 years you just got so many tunes,” he said. The challenge was to balance fan favourites, songs that had performed well, and tracks that represented the band’s various eras.
The setlist moved chronologically and stylistically, giving listeners a guided tour through the band’s evolution. After the 1985 opener, the show swung back to the early punk days with “New Rose” and “Neat Neat Neat.” The gothic‑rock phase followed, featuring “Is It A Dream” and “Shadow of Love.” The band then pivoted to the covers that appear on Not Like Everybody Else, most notably “Making Time.” A drum solo punctuated the performance before the two‑part “Smash It Up” from Machine Gun Etiquette closed the set.
Not Like Everybody Else was released on 23 January 2026 as a tribute to the band’s late founding guitarist Brian James, who died in 2025. The album consists of cover songs chosen for their influence on James and the early Damned sound. Scabies said the recording sessions were significant because they marked the first time the classic lineup had worked together in a studio in roughly three decades.
The tour’s schedule is: - 8 September – Auckland, Powerstation - 10 September – Sydney, The Opera House - 11 September – Brisbane, The Tivoli - 13 September – Melbourne, The Forum
The Damned’s history dates back to October 1976, when “New Rose” became the first UK punk single. Their debut album Damned Damned Damned (1977) established a template that combined speed, melody and theatricality. Over the next five decades the band released a mix of original material and covers, explored gothic and psychedelic styles, and maintained a presence on the touring circuit.
Scabies noted that the band’s longevity has altered the relationship with audiences. “You never really want to say goodbye,” he said, comparing the experience to reading a good book that you want to keep turning.
The Auckland show was a showcase of the band’s breadth. It included early punk tracks, gothic‑rock songs, and new covers that pay homage to Brian James. The setlist also reflected the band’s willingness to revisit older material while acknowledging recent work.
The tour’s final dates in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne will continue to draw audiences who have followed the band since the 1970s. The Damned’s recent releases, including Darkadelic (2023) and Not Like Everybody Else (2026), have kept the band relevant in contemporary music circles.
In summary, The Damned’s final Australian and New Zealand tour opens with a comprehensive 20‑song set that spans their entire career, highlights a tribute album, and underscores the band’s enduring influence on punk and rock music.
The tour’s first show was the opening act of a four‑date run that will carry the band to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. In a Noise11 interview, drummer Rat Scabies explained that the group spent several days trimming its repertoire to a two‑hour set. “After 50 years you just got so many tunes,” he said. The challenge was to balance fan favourites, songs that had performed well, and tracks that represented the band’s various eras.
The setlist moved chronologically and stylistically, giving listeners a guided tour through the band’s evolution. After the 1985 opener, the show swung back to the early punk days with “New Rose” and “Neat Neat Neat.” The gothic‑rock phase followed, featuring “Is It A Dream” and “Shadow of Love.” The band then pivoted to the covers that appear on Not Like Everybody Else, most notably “Making Time.” A drum solo punctuated the performance before the two‑part “Smash It Up” from Machine Gun Etiquette closed the set.
Not Like Everybody Else was released on 23 January 2026 as a tribute to the band’s late founding guitarist Brian James, who died in 2025. The album consists of cover songs chosen for their influence on James and the early Damned sound. Scabies said the recording sessions were significant because they marked the first time the classic lineup had worked together in a studio in roughly three decades.
The tour’s schedule is: - 8 September – Auckland, Powerstation - 10 September – Sydney, The Opera House - 11 September – Brisbane, The Tivoli - 13 September – Melbourne, The Forum
The Damned’s history dates back to October 1976, when “New Rose” became the first UK punk single. Their debut album Damned Damned Damned (1977) established a template that combined speed, melody and theatricality. Over the next five decades the band released a mix of original material and covers, explored gothic and psychedelic styles, and maintained a presence on the touring circuit.
Scabies noted that the band’s longevity has altered the relationship with audiences. “You never really want to say goodbye,” he said, comparing the experience to reading a good book that you want to keep turning.
The Auckland show was a showcase of the band’s breadth. It included early punk tracks, gothic‑rock songs, and new covers that pay homage to Brian James. The setlist also reflected the band’s willingness to revisit older material while acknowledging recent work.
The tour’s final dates in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne will continue to draw audiences who have followed the band since the 1970s. The Damned’s recent releases, including Darkadelic (2023) and Not Like Everybody Else (2026), have kept the band relevant in contemporary music circles.
In summary, The Damned’s final Australian and New Zealand tour opens with a comprehensive 20‑song set that spans their entire career, highlights a tribute album, and underscores the band’s enduring influence on punk and rock music.