ArtistDirect News
The Wallflowers Announce 30th-Anniversary Tour of Bringing Down the Horse, Adding First Australian Dates
When the 1996 album that defined a generation hits the stage again, The Wallflowers are taking fans on a full‑album journey to Australia for the first time. The 30th‑anniversary tour of Bringing Down the Horse will now include five shows across the country, starting in Melbourne on December 4 and wrapping up in Adelaide on December 9.
The Australian leg mirrors the U.S. format: the band performs Bringing Down the Horse in its original track order, followed by a tribute to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers with a live rendition of the 1982 classic Long After Dark. While the two‑album set has sparked debate among listeners, the core of the show—Bringing Down the Horse—continues to receive acclaim for its tight musicianship and faithful recreation of the 1996 record.
Released on May 21, 1996, Bringing Down the Horse was produced by T Bone Burnett and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200. The album earned quadruple platinum certification in the United States and reached number nine on Australia’s ARIA Albums Chart. Its four singles—"6th Avenue Heartache", "One Headlight", "The Difference", and "Three Marlenas"—all charted on U.S. rock and pop charts, with "One Headlight" becoming the band’s biggest hit and earning two Grammy Awards in 1998.
The recording process was turbulent. After parting ways with Virgin Records, the group signed with Interscope in 1994. Lead guitarist Tobi Miller left during sessions, and the band relied on session musicians such as Matt Chamberlain, Mike Campbell, Fred Tackett, and Jay Joyce before Michael Ward joined as a permanent member. The album blends alternative rock with roots instrumentation—banjo, dobro, and pedal steel guitar—and is dedicated to pedal steel guitarist Leo LeBlanc, who died in 1995.
Critics and concert reviewers have consistently highlighted the performances of the album’s most recognizable tracks, "One Headlight" and "6th Avenue Heartache", noting Jakob Dylan’s sustained vocal intensity and stage presence. The two‑hour set is praised for its historical focus, allowing audiences to experience the album’s progression from start to finish.
The Australian dates are historic for the band, marking their debut in the country. The shows will take place at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre (December 4), Thirroul’s Anita’s Theatre (December 5), Sydney’s Liberty Hall (December 6), Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall (December 8), and Adelaide’s Hindley Street Music Hall (December 9). The tour’s structure will give Australian audiences the same chronological experience that has become the centerpiece of the anniversary tour.
In sum, The Wallflowers are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their landmark album with a two‑album concert format that has been well received in the United States. The addition of five Australian shows marks the band’s first performances in the country, offering fans a chance to hear the classic album in its entirety alongside a tribute to Tom Petty.
The Australian leg mirrors the U.S. format: the band performs Bringing Down the Horse in its original track order, followed by a tribute to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers with a live rendition of the 1982 classic Long After Dark. While the two‑album set has sparked debate among listeners, the core of the show—Bringing Down the Horse—continues to receive acclaim for its tight musicianship and faithful recreation of the 1996 record.
Released on May 21, 1996, Bringing Down the Horse was produced by T Bone Burnett and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200. The album earned quadruple platinum certification in the United States and reached number nine on Australia’s ARIA Albums Chart. Its four singles—"6th Avenue Heartache", "One Headlight", "The Difference", and "Three Marlenas"—all charted on U.S. rock and pop charts, with "One Headlight" becoming the band’s biggest hit and earning two Grammy Awards in 1998.
The recording process was turbulent. After parting ways with Virgin Records, the group signed with Interscope in 1994. Lead guitarist Tobi Miller left during sessions, and the band relied on session musicians such as Matt Chamberlain, Mike Campbell, Fred Tackett, and Jay Joyce before Michael Ward joined as a permanent member. The album blends alternative rock with roots instrumentation—banjo, dobro, and pedal steel guitar—and is dedicated to pedal steel guitarist Leo LeBlanc, who died in 1995.
Critics and concert reviewers have consistently highlighted the performances of the album’s most recognizable tracks, "One Headlight" and "6th Avenue Heartache", noting Jakob Dylan’s sustained vocal intensity and stage presence. The two‑hour set is praised for its historical focus, allowing audiences to experience the album’s progression from start to finish.
The Australian dates are historic for the band, marking their debut in the country. The shows will take place at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre (December 4), Thirroul’s Anita’s Theatre (December 5), Sydney’s Liberty Hall (December 6), Brisbane’s Fortitude Music Hall (December 8), and Adelaide’s Hindley Street Music Hall (December 9). The tour’s structure will give Australian audiences the same chronological experience that has become the centerpiece of the anniversary tour.
In sum, The Wallflowers are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their landmark album with a two‑album concert format that has been well received in the United States. The addition of five Australian shows marks the band’s first performances in the country, offering fans a chance to hear the classic album in its entirety alongside a tribute to Tom Petty.