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To put it bluntly, it’s been a lot longer than it should have been since the Stone Temple Pilots were last on Australian shores.

Having toured the country in 2011 with founding vocalist, the late Scott Weiland, a planned 2014 tour with Linkin Park’s late frontman Chester Bennington was also canned, with the cancellation announced just weeks before kick-off.

Since then though, the band had undergone a bit of turmoil. While Weiland would pass in 2015, Bennington would follow in 2017, leaving the group uncertain of their future, and ultimately in search of a new vocalist. Recruiting Jeff Gutt, the band announced their return soon after, unveiling a new self-titled record in 2018, and effectively kicking off their comeback.

 arriving in early 2020, the group were set to finally make their way back to Australian shores, having been announced alongside Live and Bush for the Under the Southern Stars national tour. Of course, the bad news wasn’t done yet, with the COVID pandemic putting these plans on ice for the foreseeable future.

Since then, the tour has been pushed back a few times, with the final lineup now featuring the likes of Cheap Trick, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots, and the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

Needless to say, it’s been a long time coming, and with the tour finally set to kick off in March, Stone Temple Pilots’ frontman Jeff Gutt has spoken to 

 about the incredibly protracted journey to bringing back international shows to Australian shores once again.

Let’s begin with the obvious question: How have you been dealing with the last few years? Have you been getting by or writing safely?

Yeah, man. Thanks for asking. Have you been all right? [Laughs] We’ve got to ask each other these days. Not being able to basically tour or even go to shows as a fan to anything, that was a bummer. It was a kick in the dick, basically. You couldn’t really do anything, couldn’t enjoy music the way we used to. And that felt like something that was taken away for a little while. So I’m glad to see we’re at least starting to get back to it all here.

When everything sort of first went down, how did that affect you guys at the start of the pandemic? Because you had the new album out just one month before the pandemic hit and then there’s supposed to be an Australian tour. So what did that mean for all of you at the time.

Yeah, I mean, we had a whole tour set up just for the 

 record, which was going to be a very interesting thing. I hope we get to do that at some point because it was in more of an acoustic setting with extra musicians and that kind of vibe, where that would have been something different and fun. But just getting back to it in general and just getting back on stage with those guys and performing with them and playing those songs that everyone loves and I love and I’m sure they love [laughs]. 

I mean, just being able to get back out and do that, especially since I’ve never been to Australia in my life. So it was one of the things that we were supposed to be doing right when the pandemic first hit. And then it got cancelled a couple of times. My clothes made it there and I haven’t made it through yet [laughs]. My clothes have been there a couple of times, so I’m jealous of my clothes.

Before we get into the tour too much, I would like to have a quick look at your time with the band. Your first album with the band came out in 2018 and it was pretty warmly received. For yourself, was that a validating experience knowing that you’ve come into this band with high expectations from everyone and they’ve really welcomed you?

Yeah, I mean, the amount of freedom they’ve given me and respect they’ve given me, as for what I bring to the table and being able to allow me to do what I do and basically get the best out of me, is kind of what they’re good at. I mean, they’re great musicians and their vocabulary far exceeds mine. So most of the time, I’m just shutting up and trying to learn something [laughs].

But you know, being in a band with those guys has been very rewarding, and before in my life, I felt like I had to micromanage everything, including mixes, or songs, or whatever it was. And now, a lot of that’s done. So I just get to come in and do the parts that are expected of me and really contribute in a way that isn’t too overwhelming for me. So I kind of see it as a very organic thing because that’s kind of how it came together.

Did that warm welcome also extend to the live stage as well?

Yeah, I mean, in the back of my mind, I’m always thinking they 

 to like it, you know? Obviously, I’ll never be Scott, and he’ll always be that part of that band. So for me, it’s just going up there and trying to love the music and feel the music. And really, I’m not trying to think about anything when I’m up there. Otherwise you can get in your own head and then you’re lost forever.

Going on from that, I assume then it would be important to just try and blaze your own trail rather than trying to sort of live up to any expectations?

Yeah, I mean, I believe in myself, and I’m humble but I’m also confident in what I bring. So I feel like getting a chance to get in a room with guys like that and then writing songs and bringing my imagination into the world that they’re creating, I feel like that’s really kind of what I’m good at. So if I put pressure on myself to be something else than what I’m good at, it ain’t gonna work. So I just figured I’d just roll with it and do what I know. That’s all I can do.

, which was your second album with the band, and one that was arguably softer than what had come before. Was that a little bit daunting to sort of go along with a sonic change so soon into your tenure? Or was it more a case of just being happy to expand the Stone Temple Pilots palette where possible?

Absolutely. For me, I was just making a record with these guys who are incredibly gifted musicians. And we wrote that when we were on the Canadian tour playing in the hockey arenas, in our downtime, during winter, and there was nowhere to go, there was nothing else to do. So that was kind of its own experience in a way. And to have it be more of a melancholic and mellow record is kind of right in my wheelhouse [laughs]. So that kind of came naturally to me, and I was like, “Oh, thank you for doing something that I’m so comfortable with”. I kind of felt like they were catering to me in a way by doing that.

A lot of guys I grew up with and played with in other bands, when they heard that they said, “That sounds exactly like you. That’s pretty much you right there”. So it made sense to everyone who knew me before. And that was important to me too that they felt like that I really could be myself on a record with these guys and make it work like that and make it still feel like STP somehow.

I’d listened to a lot of your work before Stone Temple Pilots, and I do agree that it definitely suited you. It was also rather fitting to release a melancholic album like that just before the pandemic, wasn’t it?

Yeah, it’s crazy. I mean, I had to have back surgery, which is why we ended up doing that tour. And then right after that, we were supposed to go to Australia – then the pandemic hit. So, you know, it was like it was one thing after another. So that’s why this tour is so important; to get back out there and start really just playing internationally again, which is a huge deal. It’s kind of a milestone that we can get back to this and we can make it work.

It must have been crushing to have the Australian tour cancelled. I mean, Stone Temple Pilots hadn’t been here since 2011, and you hadn’t played with them here before. It must have just been blow after blow by that point. But how were you feeling? Was it just like, “What more could go wrong at this point”?

We had been so busy up until that point, and then – not just in STP but in my whole life – I never had a break like that. So half of me was welcoming it just to have vocal rest for a while. Before I was in STP, I was singing in clubs, five or six nights a week and just doing what I could to pay the rent. So being able to take a break like that was, I mean, I don’t know any other opportunity I would get to do that [laughs]. So I hope it’s the last one, but I tried to enjoy it as much as I possibly could, even though I knew – y’know – I’m not going to make any money for two and a half years, but whatever.

It was a real double-edged sword, wasn’t it? On one hand, there’s the respite after so many years of playing, but then there’s the fact you’re not out there, practicing your craft, or even making money.

It feels like part of you is missing. It’s like it’s an emotional release for people up on the stage, just as much as to be there at a show, which I’ve been on that side of, too. But it’s kind of the same thing. There’s that excitement and there’s the moment when that song that you love hits and you hear the rest of the crowd get behind you on it, and it’s like a connection to humanity. But it’s an unspoken thing, which makes it all the more special.

Once the pandemic truly hit, what were the thoughts within the band? Were you thinking, “Oh, with that in mind, should we just work on new music?” Or was it an environment not very conducive to new music?

Yeah, but you know, a lot of creativity comes when you’re isolated and when you’re alone. Most of mine does, it comes from listening, really just listening and visualising in whatever it is – whether it’s Simon & Garfunkel or… Ozzy [laughs]. It could be anything. I think to be a musician, you have to be a fan of music, too. So to choose it as a profession is insanity [laughs], but you make it work.

The Australian tour did get rescheduled to 2021 at first and then pushed back again and again. That must have felt almost cruel to be so close, then to have it all move back and then changed again. I mean, fans are tired of it, but I imagine it must have been so awful for you as well.

Yeah, I feel terrible for fans, because I know STP hadn’t been there in a while and I’ve never been there. So I want to go there and do that for these guys and for everyone in Australia. And then with myself being in Australia for the first time, I feel like it’s just a great combination of excitement. I mean, I’m going to be having to try to wipe the smile off my face on stage just to take it seriously [laughs].

This tour is also the first major international tour to be hitting Australia after a few years. Is that a daunting prospect? To be one of the first international bands back on stages must make it feel like there’s a lot of responsibility to not just bring your A-game, but to bring your A+-game, just so that folks are so blown away and reminded about what they’ve been missing.

I just want to bring the game, man [laughs]. I think it’ll come back naturally. I’m not really trying to put too much pressure on myself. I just want to get out there and sing these songs and have people singing them back at me. If I forget where I’m at in a song, I can look at the crowd and see their mouths moving and know that they’re such big fans of Stone Temple Pilots that they’ll be in the right spot [laughs].

The band have been playing shows again recently, but how has that been feeling in the not-quite-post-COVID world? Is the feeling in the crowds different? Is it a bit more cautious, or are people just going right back into it?

I can’t speak really for people in the crowd, but the reaction from the stage is that I feel like they’ve been yearning for it, and there’s a release there that has been a long time coming.

What can fans expect from these upcoming shows? I’ve looked at recent setlists and it’s predominantly Scott-era material, with a couple of tracks from the 2018 album. I hate to use the phrase, but it seems like more of a ‘nostalgia set’ than a showcase of newer material?

The thing is that there’s so many records and songs to choose from. It’s a great problem to have, but there’s just so much that it’s hard to fit everything into an hour. I haven’t seen the setlist yet, and we’re going to start rehearsals here pretty soon. I just got back to L.A. a couple of days ago, and I think Eric [Kretz, drummer] just got back on Monday. So, we’re going to get together here and start hashing out some setlists, and I can’t wait to see them But if you hear anything before me, let me know [laughs].

I always find myself looking at setlists, and I can definitely see the desire in wanting to play deep cuts that haven’t been played for a long while. But I feel it must be a bit of a catch-22 for yourself, because you’re aware fans are there to hear the ‘classic’ songs, but I’d feel you’d also want to be showing off the material that has come from your time in the band, too.

I kind of feel like the guys would feel the same way, too. They’re about moving forward as much as they are remembering the past. To me, it’s just an honour to be able to sing those songs with those guys, to represent that for the fans and for everyone that’s loved them and followed them throughout their career like I have. Yeah. So to me, it’s just about paying respects to that and making sure it’s done right.

And I just kind of get lost in the songs myself and remember what they meant to me and how impactful they were in my life. They’re kind of the soundtrack to people’s lives, too. We usually roll with more than one set list – we usually have two or three different setlists – so we’ll see what what comes together.

Looking away from the tour, is the band up to anything else currently? Are you working on new music, or are you hoping to get these tour dates out of the way first?

We’re always working on material. I am, personally, and I’m sure they are too. We haven’t gotten together and been able to talk about that in that sense, because once that process starts, the floodgates kind of just open and that’s kind of where you’re heading. But there’s no like, ‘half-in, half out’ where they would say, “Let’s write a bunch of songs”.

We did that hen we had that downtime and when we were together, and that’s kind of different than just kind of being off on our own. So, us getting back together is going to feel good; us getting back on stage is going to feel good as well. Us playing the songs is going to feel good, and then coming together to show each other our ideas while we’re in proximity with each other a lot will be good, too. So maybe the next record will be written on the road in Australia [laughs].

It’s been a long time since the Stone Temple Pilots were on Australian shores, and as the Under the Southern Stars festival gears up to take place next month, Jeff Gutt talks to 

 about the band’s long-awaited return.  

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' JEFF GUTT ON THE LONG ROAD BACK TO AUSTRALIA

There is a reason Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famers Cheap Trick are one of the hardest-working seasoned rock bands in the USA and are ready to play anywhere at any time – no date is sacred.

The band’s bass guitarist Tom Petersson, who invented the 12-string bass guitar, says they have no blackout dates, “not even for births”, so their calendar is open for any time or place.

 hitmakers later this month co-headlining the Under the Southern Stars tour alongside Bush and Stone Temple Pilots.

The opening show is at Maitland Showgrounds (March 11) with the Queensland gigs at Kings Beach, Caloundra (March 25), Southport Sharks (March 26) and Riverstage, Brisbane (March 27), which also draws the curtain on the tour.

The band arrive in Australia straight from a Las Vegas residency and then return to the US before heading to Canada where they team up with ZZ Top.

“I just look at the schedule and go, ‘we’re going to Australia, fine’ and that’s my involvement in it,” Petersson said.

Over the next five months, their schedule takes in about 60 shows including more than two dozen supporting Scottish legend Rod Stewart throughout the US before their own tour of the UK.

And even though Petersson, 71, lead singer Robin Zander, 69, and effervescent guitarist Rick Nielsen 73, are on the road as much as they are at home these days, they travel only as a band.

With the exception, that is, of Nielsen’s son Daxx who has been the band’s drummer since 2010 and Zander’s son Robin, aka RTZ, who plays backing guitar.

“No, they (their families) are not crazy, they do not want to come with us,” Petersson said with a huge smile.

“They’ll go to places they want to go, but they don’t travel around, it’s not cost-effective either.

“This is our job, and we do this to make a living.

“Maybe if we were the Rolling Stones, we could take everyone with us ‘on my private jet’, but we are not in that situation.”

For Petersson, being healthy means more than owning a private jet after a random check-up uncovered a congenital heart condition that could have ended his life at any time.

He had two heart valves instead of three, and had surgery at the same time Cheap Trick was scheduled to tour Australia a year ago for the UTSS tour before it was postponed.

“We were scheduled to come to Australia right at that time when I had to go in for surgery,” he said.

“It was a random scan. The doctor says ‘you know, you might as well get a full scan because it’s included’… otherwise no, they would not have seen that (heart condition).

“I didn’t have any symptoms … I felt fine. I would have just probably dropped dead, you know, unexpectedly.”

Formed in 1973, Cheap Trick had a string of hits in Australia across the 1970s and 1980s, including 

It’s a tune Aussie fans can expect to hear during the band’s one-hour set, along with some of their classics such as 

 and a couple of tunes from their new album 

“The diehard fans don’t want to hear the hits, and the reverse is true,” Petersson said.

“We just basically do songs that we want to hear except, you know, the few hits that we should play.”

Under the Southern Stars, Kings Beach Amphitheatre March 25, Southport Sharks March 26, Riverstage Brisbane March 27, tickets through Ticketmaster

Under The Southern Stars -  Cheap Trick's Tom Petersson is lucky to be alive.  They’re among the hardest workers in rock ’n’ roll, but one of them might be dead if not for a chance medical check-up.

Brisbane Courier Mail, interview by Darren Cartwright

CHEAP TRICK'S TOM PETERSSON - INTERVIEW WITH BRISBANE COURIER MAIL

The wait is over! International tours are back and next Saturday March 19, Gavin Rossdale will be the first overseas artist in over two years to grace the actual, 

Third time's the charm for the British singer, guitarist and bona-fide heart-throb, having hosted rage twice before in 1996 and 2012. Things will be a little different this time though because he isn't just flying the flag for Bush

he's repping all the international acts on the bill for the 

 concert series - Stone Temple Pilots, Cheap Trick and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, the first international music acts to tour Australia since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020!

He'll have the latest Bush album with him, 

, all the goss about the new one in the works for release later this year, plus a stack of clips from inspirations past and present including

 and more.

Here’s a sneak peak at what else Gavin has lined up for Saturday:

, for a 2000s Dance/Electronic themed Vault, followed by the week’s best new music videos, then join

The wait is over! International tours are back and next Saturday March 19, GAVIN ROSSDALE will be the first overseas artist in over two years to grace the actual, 

GAVIN ROSSDALE FROM BUSH GUEST PROGRAMS RAGE

BUSH, Cheap Trick, Stone Temple Pilots and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's Australian trip to rock you at #UTSS2022 is deemed of National Importance!  

Our four international bands have clearance from the Australian Department of Immigration for entry into our country to tour with #UTSS2022.  

It appears that some of  you may have read online that US citizens travelling to Australia cannot enter unless they’ve obtained a travel exemption. This is not the case for our acts, our Department of Immigration deems their travel of national interest to Australia and therefore their AU visa status waives the requirement for travel exemption. 

Get ready to rock! #UTSS2022 is coming in hot!

Some of you may be wondering if BUSH, Cheap Trick, Stone Temple Pilots and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are actually allowed entry into Australia, and it's a valid question given the new Covid world in which we now live... 

#UTSS2022 International Artists - Approved for Australian Entry!

 have been a mainstay on Australian radios since the release of their debut album 

 in 1994. The album was an instant smash spending forty three weeks in the Australian Top 50, peaking at #5. 

 are in the DNA of Aussie rock fans and are played daily on the airwaves to this day.

While the 90’s belonged to BUSH, they were on hiatus between 2001 and 2011 when they returned with 

. In 2019, BUSH came roaring back with the track 

 which is featured as the end title on the soundtrack to the Hollywood blockbuster 

. Gavin Rossdale speaks to Hi Fi Way about their return to Australia, their first live shows in quite sometime, to play Under The Southern Stars.

The band must be really looking forward to returning to Australia for Under The Southern Stars, ten years has felt like an eternity?


We have tried, Soundwave was great and we had a good time with the side shows as well. At the moment we’re in rehearsals and we’re excited to be coming back.

The last couple of years have been tough for everyone but it must of been difficult for the band to negotiate the way through this pandemic having released new album


Yeah, we haven’t played it live. Australia will be the first place to hear it live. People have been dying, lost their jobs, lost family members, there really is no time to complain that we don’t get to sing these songs on stage but at the same time we are looking forward to coming to play. We’ve been really patient and I hope this time it comes good.

absolutely rocks, have you been happy with the fan response to the album?


Thank you, we’re looking forward to touring it. We’ve already started on the next record and just going with the flow. It is the same for everyone but it is frustrating, a lot of people have suffered a lot worse than what we have. Just happy to be out there potentially, nearly, maybe soon, possibly, potentially!

Have you been able to use this time to keep writing and see what might be the next album?


We are sixteen songs in to the next record, we are totally working on new stuff and the exciting thing for us is the consistency of having records out. Keep moving, keep doing it is where we are at! We are excited because these songs fit in to the record after 

. There is no acoustic guitar in sight, it is super heavy. Super heavy! It’s hilarious! Hilariously heavy! There’s a couple of tracks I love that are kind of moody, which I love to write, there’s three moody songs the rest is pretty steamy hot music, fire music.

Does anything in particularly influence that heavier rock sound you are going for?


With the music that I like, it is not the usual way I sing on it, I try to find a melody, I like melodies, I hear a lot of rock music, there’s a lot I don’t like and I think it is a sexy way of making rock music and I’m trying to find that way. There is something about the tribal quality of heavy music with the rhythms and stuff, it is like a launch pad to go nuts. I love it for that, I still believe in rock music and I’m trying to do something different. Push myself, push the band and do something that is wild. It is like a return to Sixteen Stone, it wasn’t because it was completely different, maybe because it had a vigour, like a fire that is still alive.

Have you been able to get in to the studio to start doing demos?


I have been making recordings at my home studio and come end of the month I’ll take them in to the band and put all the drums on the track to flesh them out a bit more. You can get a lot done now these days in the studio or in your bedroom, just look at Billie Eilish and Finneas.

Any hints at the Under The Southern Stars set list?


I’m just looking forward to getting my seat on the plane to head down there, that is where I want to be. I’ll be so grateful to be able to walk out on that stage I’ll know then it will be really happening. It has been emotional because we never knew when it would happen again. It is really beautiful we are doing that in Australia, there is definitely something about it. I don’t think bands get there enough. After Soundwave I just couldn’t get it to work so the honour of coming back down there after all these years of not playing will be a really powerful show. All twelve shows will be really tight. Looking forward to seeing the audience, my guitar and my microphone. Seeing that crowd and hearing that roar before we playing and hearing them enjoy the other bands will be great. Festivals are fun, you go with your mates, everyone wants to blow each other off the stage and do better than everyone else. Soundwave was great travelling around, you want everyone to do great but not as great as you!

It must be pleasing to see the generational change in your fan base as well?


I think we did well reaching people who didn’t know the back catalogue. That was my goal for the record, I want to make a record that your son or daughter plays in isolation and nothing to do with the catalogue. I still want to be able to do that with the record we are making now. I want to make records that stand alone, I know it is a singles world and all that stuff. My view is that if you like the single you want to hear the whole record. I believe that is a possibility even though that’s not the norm.

BUSH have been a mainstay on Australian radios since the release of their debut album Sixteen Stone in 1994. The album was an instant smash spending forty three weeks in the Australian Top 50, peaking at #5. 

 are in the DNA of Aussie rock fans and are played daily on the airwaves to this day.   

Gavin Rossdale From Bush Talks Under The Southern Stars

After a number of rescheduled dates, it was finally time to attend Under The Southern Stars; a rock concert series with multiple international headliners. With previous concert dates in March at Hastings and Yarrawonga, we checked out the third Victorian show in Melbourne, at Margaret Court Arena.

The UTSS lineup included international headliners and rock royalty 

, fellow American rockers Stone Temple Pilots, and British rock band 

. Pulling out all the stops on their return to Australia, the incredible and talented lineup brought in punters young and old to enjoy some old fashion stadium rock. Joining these bands on their Melbourne date were Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and homegrown talent 

ted by the one and only Angry Anderson. Self-declared as Australia's finest Rock 'n' Roll Outlaws, the band's line up consisted of Angry on lead vocals, Paul DeMarco on drums, Bob Spencer on guitar, Mark Evans on bass and Mick Arnold on slide guitar. From their humble days releasing a debut album in late 1978, the bad boys of rock 'n' roll have set out destroying eardrums and venues across Australia ever since. As the crowd packed into the stadium, the band opened with 

 - which Angry told the audience was about growing up in Pascoe Vale in the 50's and 60's. The band closed out the set with more hits from their debut album, finishing up strong with 

. The San Fransisco trio consisting of Peter Hayes, Robert Levon Been and Leah Shapiro have been around for a while now, and have finessed their live show, along with their impressive back catalogue of hits. Single 

 had everyone up and dancing along, while the moody In 

 mellowed out the show, and showcased the perfectly paired vocals of the two vocalists. Drummer Leah Shapiro was in fine form, drumming up a storm throughout the band's hits. 

 drew BRMC's set to a close, and had us riled up for the next act.

 took to the stage, in as fine form as ever. Tearing into classic hit 

, the alt-rockers wasted no time putting on a rager of a set. With a discography spanning three decades, Bush found the perfect balance between the hits that made them, and their newer album 

, which made for a jam-packed setlist. Vocalist Gavin Rossdale addressed finding the perfect balance of new song and old songs, acknowledging, "it's the balance of life". The grungy 

 go off without a hitch, and had the audience swaying along with every note. Rossdale was a flurry onstage; showing endless energy as he lead into hit after hit. Special mention to the amazing guitar work by Chris Traynor on 

 were the closers for the set, and led the audience into a mass-singalong; leaving us wanting more.

were up next, on their first Australian tour with new frontman Jeff Gütt. The American rock band from San Diego, consisting of original band members Eric Kretz and brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo took to the stage, alongside Gütt on lead vocals. Jeff's live stage presence elevated STP to new heights, bringing an incredible take to some old classics with the highest energy set of the night. The band performed tracks from their extensive catalogue, including many from their 1992 debut album 

, which was released to major commercial success. Performing tracks including 

Wicked Garden, Plush, Dead & Bloated, Sex Type Thing

 - in which they invited Daxx Nielsen from Cheap Trick out to perform live with the band. We were also fortunate enough to hear tracks from album 

 including some of their biggest hits with 

. It was clear to see throughout the set that the bands chemistry remains strong and it became easy to see why so many people had come to see them perform.

Headlining the concert series was rock legends 

 With original band members Robin Zander on lead vocals, Rick Neilsen on lead guitar and Tom Petersson on bass the band were accompanied by touring musicians and children Daxx Nielsen on drums and Robin Taylor Zander on guitar. While Cheap Trick are no strangers to Australia, having first toured here in 1978, we had personally waited years to see them headline this concert series and knew that we would be in for a magical night when the band arrived to close out the night.

Hello There, You Got It Going On, Lookout,

 to get the crowd warmed up, looking around to a sea of patrons clinging onto every word of each of their famous tracks. Performing a cover of 

 by The Move, the band proceeded to launch into hits including 

. The band found a way to hit some absolute classics into the set, keeping the crowd entertained from start to finish. The conclusion of the set was as strong a setlist as any band could hope to have performing greatest hits such as 

The Flame, I Want You to Want Me, Dream Police

, it was bittersweet that the evening had come to an end.

Under The Southern Stars has been a welcomed return to international live music in Australia and to stadium shows with an unparalleled lineup of talented performers looking to bring back good old fashion rock 'n' roll with a series of greatest hits.

Everything Melbourne - Mel Live review of Under The Southern Stars, Margaret Court Arena Melbourne, Wednesday 16 March.

EVERYTHING MELBOURNE FESTIVAL REVIEW - #UTSS2022 MELBOURNE

After two previous aborted attempts at getting the 

 (UTSS) music festival to Australia, the rock Gods have finally sided with local music lovers and look set to allow the spectacular touring line-up the opportunity to hit our stages in March.

, UTSS is a rock festival for the ages, covering three generations of music lovers in one entertaining package that showcases the golden era of rock.

 will provide support for the nationwide festival, proving once more that our best can match it with that of anywhere in the world.

With excitement building as the countdown runs down, Stone Temple Pilots guitarist 

 to talk about the tour and part of being in the highly successful and timeless band that is Stone Temple Pilots.

“My goodness, we’re 0 and 2 man,” he laughed. “You know what was really tough? We shipped our gear down there to and from, not once, but twice! We shipped our gear down there two times over the last year and a half, so we’re just gonna fly down with our gear now. We’re gonna take a lot less of it and use some of your gear down there. We’re pretty thrilled this is finally coming together. 

 – are thrilled. We’ve all been on the road with one another at one point or another. We did a lot of touring with Cheap Trick back in 1996, a lot of touring in the summer of ’18 with Bush and in 2000 we did a lot of touring with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, so it will be nice to see everybody and get on stage with one another. We’re looking forward to seeing your local heroes down there.”

Despite not having played anywhere near the amount of shows in the last two years as they normally would have, DeLeo insists that STP will be match fit and ready to shake things up when they hit our shores.

“No, not a heck of a lot,” he replied when asked if they had managed to play many gigs. “We’re talking going back to March of 2020… no, we’ve only done a handful of shows. You could count on one hand the amount of shows that we’ve done. I’m gonna say we did about maybe 20 shows in the last two years. We did a nice little tour in the starts with our dear friends 

 and we almost made the entire run. We made it, and then we had to cancel the last two shows because two of our guys came down with the big 19.”

In the full interview, Dean runs us through what to expect from the shows, travelling to the other side of the world in uncertain times, the amount of shows they are playing in the short time they are here, the early days of the band, 

 joining as vocalist and how he got the job and more.

READY TO ROCK THE STARS WITH STONE TEMPLE PILOTS

Get ready to rock Brisbane, set times are up and you can make sure you're stage front for your fave band!

Please note that set times are subject to change, please ensure you check back here in the event of any updates.

#UTSS2022 BRISBANE RIVERSTAGE SET TIMES RELEASED!

#UTSS2022 BRISBANE PLAY TIMES

All dates announcement coming on Wednesday 24 November!  Sign up and be in the first to know!

All dates announcement coming on Wednesday 24 November!  Sign up and be in the first to know!  All dates announcement coming on Wednesday 24 November!  Sign up and be in the first to know!  All dates announcement coming on Wednesday 24 November!  Sign up and be in the first to know!

#UTSS2022 All Dates Announcement Coming Soon!

Under The Southern Stars Slots Into Adelaide Fringe Festival For 2022

As international travel rules subside, Under The Southern Stars has been reactivated for 2022 with the initial announcement locking in dates for the Adelaide Fringe Festival in March 2022.

Under The Southern Stars has confirmed Cheap Trick, Bush and Stone Temple Pilots will come to Australia in 2022 with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club now added to the international bill. Rose Tattoo and Electric Mary make up the Australian acts.

Promoter, Andrew McManus commented; “I’m so proud of my team in securing exemption from Commission of Border Control and thankful to all the Captains of Industry, Ministers, Lord Mayors and SA Premier for their letters of support. We are very excited to finally be able to announce Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as an addition to the line-up,! This quadruple bill will rock our #UTSS2022 audiences to the core!

Heather Croall, Director and CEO, Adelaide Fringe adds, “Adelaide Fringe is thrilled to have the world premiere of, Under The Southern Stars, a 3 day event as part of the closing weekend activity for this year’s festival! Under The Southern Stars in Bonython Park is set to be an event you don’t want to miss with a rock lineup that includes Killing Heidi and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and many more.

Under The Southern Stars 2022 have aligned with Adelaide Fringe Festival and will bring three massive nights of rock to Adelaide over the closing weekend of Fringe, 18, 19, 20 March.  International acts Cheap Trick, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots and newly announced Black Rebel Motorcycle Club feature on the stellar line up along with rock solid Aus rock favourites.

Under The Southern Stars align Adelaide Fringe Festival

 the spectacular rock music concert series, is thrilled to be taking place in March 2022.

Featuring rock royalty 

. Plus recently added to the line up are the epitome of rock n roll, 



The wait is over and UTSS Event Producers can now reveal details for the rock solid dozen concert events in store for audiences in March 2022!



, VIC
Wed, March 16: Margaret Court Arena, 

, SA
Tues, March 22: WIN Entertainment Centre, 

, NSW
Fri, March 25: Kings Beach Ampitheatre, 

, QLD

Presale starts Friday, Nov 26 @ 9.00am AEDT until 5.00pm Sunday, Nov 28 AEDT.
Register for presale access before 5.00pm on Sunday, Nov 28 for discounted early bird tickets.
General Public On Sale Monday, Nov 29 @ 9.00am AEDT




***All previously purchased tickets are valid for 2022 see 

The announcement of the complete tour dates and venues is expected to be met with major approval from fans all over the country who have been incredibly loyal as they patiently waited for the series to be rescheduled.

The feverish reaction of Adelaide audiences to UTSS headlining the 

 across the three day weekend of 18-20 March has made it necessary for organisers to break the seal early on second release tickets for rock hungry fans, which are now available! 
The message is clear for all audiences elsewhere – get in quick to avoid disappointment!

Promoter Andrew McManus comments, '

‘To say we’re excited by finally being able to announce Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as a new addition and FOURTH high profile international rock band joining our already stellar line-up is an understatement! UTSS2022 will without a doubt rock audiences to the core and give them what they’ve all craved since March 2020 – a line up that features the bands and the music they love – both Australian and International artists up in front of them in the flesh and playing their hits, live…it has been way too long!"



Under The Southern Stars has been granted approval for all #UTSS2022 artists and their crew to enter Australia under strict covid guidelines, ensuring the utmost health and safety of all event patrons, staff, vendors and artists and crews.

With the nation slowly emerging from the most trying period of our lives, we are extremely 

 to get the show back on the road and deliver one hell of a rock n roll experience for fans everywhere, 

!

We know we’ve asked a lot and we sincerely thank everyone out there for their patience and faith in us to deliver the events that we have promised. All previously purchased tickets are valid for the new shows*, so #keepyourticket and see you under the stars!

To purchase tickets and for detailed information about all shows, visit


With over 5,000 performances spanning four decades, 20 million records sold worldwide, and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 

are undoubtedly one of the most influential classic rock groups of the past 50 years.

The band was formed in 1974 and while it has evolved throughout the years, Cheap Trick has continued to reach mainstream and critical success. Hits such as “

” have cemented the group as one of America’s top rock ‘n’ roll bands of all time.

In early 2021, 