New Zealand’s SHIHAD Plot Final Australian Tour
The band are celebrating 36 years of memories and milestones with their Loud Forever - The Final Tour.

Image supplied
Wellington’s favourite sons SHIHAD are embarking on one final lap of Australia next year to celebrate their 36-year career.
Loud Forever – The Final Tour 1988 - 2025 is SHIHAD’s thank you to fans who have supported them through the good times and the bad times.
Inducted into the Aotearoa’s Music Hall of Fame in 2010, SHIHAD’s Jon Toogood, Karl Kippenberger, Phil Knight and Tom Larkin are excited to return to Australia for one last run of shows before calling it quits.
In a statement about the band’s journey, Kippenberger says: “We’ve had as much fun as we've had moments of disappointment and of anger. But we've also had some real special moments.”
Larkin adds: “The fundamental chemistry and makeup of what makes SHIHAD special and what makes SHIHAD work requires certain things to be in place. When you can't sustain those things or plan for those things, it takes away from SHIHAD being something that makes sense. It’s about a shared commitment and a shared energy.”
Phil muses: “You know, personal relationships and professional work don't always survive forever. But we've lived it all. We really have. We've lived the life that so many musicians would give their right arm for.
“We need to pay homage to the legacy of this band, because it's meant so much to us and also to the people that have supported us,” Jon says, before adding, “We’re gonna fucking hit it!”
SHIHAD’s The Final Tour Loud Forever 1988 - 2025 begins in Adelaide at The Gov on Thursday, February, 13 and continues at Sydney’s The Metro Theatre on Friday, February 14, Perth’s Astor Theatre on Friday, February 21 and Brisbane’s The Tivoli on Friday, February 28, before the trio’s final ever Australian gig at Melbourne’s Forum on Friday, March 7.
Seven-piece collective Battlesnake are rising from the underworld to join SHIHAD on all five dates, while punk royalty Bodyjar will make a special guest appearance at the final gig in Melbourne.
Tickets for all shows go on sale today, Wednesday, November 13 at 8:30am local time via shihad.com.
READ MORE: Thrash Metal Legends Testament Announce 2025 Australian Tour
SHIHAD’s 36-year career has seen the Kiwi act release ten studio albums – six of which topped the New Zealand Album Chart – win countless Aotearoa Music Awards, garner over 100,000 monthly Spotify streams and perform alongside some of the world’s biggest acts including Faith No More, Tool, Motorhead and AC/DC.
Despite several controversies (including a name change to Pacifier from 2002-204) and several periods of inactivity, SHIHAD remains one of New Zealand’s greatest musical imports.
Fans heading along to SHIHAD’s final shows can expect all killer no filler from a stacked setlist that will see the band perform fan favourites like ‘Home Again’, ‘Ride’, ‘Gimme Gimme’, ‘The General Electric’ and ‘I Only Said’.
Catch SHIHAD at The Gov on Thursday, February 13. Tickets on sale via shihad.com.
SHIHAD The Final Tour Loud Forever 1988 - 2025 Australian Tour Dates
with special guests Battlesnake* and Bodyjar+
Thursday, February, 13 – The Gov, Adelaide*
Friday, February 14 – The Metro Theatre, Sydney*
Friday, February 21 – Astor Theatre, Perth*
Friday, February 28 – The Tivoli, Brisbane*
Friday, March 7 – Forum, Melbourne*+
The indie pop artist has also shared new single, ‘Cutting Room Floor’.
SA’s Fahey Hotel Group have also sold another two of their pubs.
‘This Is It’ is the first single from The Smith Street Band’s forthcoming seventh album.
Joining The Sexels are local rockers King Locust & The New Romantics.
Celebrate the not-for-profit’s fifth birthday with a night of diverse musical offerings.
To coincide with the announcement, the band have shared the album’s giddy lead single, ‘Koala’.
Catch the lads supporting Skegss on their upcoming national tour.
This is the third single taken from the band’s upcoming Fairyland Codex record.
Catch the internationally acclaimed punk rock cover act when they perform at Lion Arts Factory this November.
This is your chance to nominate an inspiring female or gender-diverse artist or music practitioner in the Australian music industry.
Festival Director Peter Noble has announced the iconic Byron Bay festival is coming back next year.
The rising trio are back with their first taste of new music in 2025.
The group are touring nationally, performing their Black Label EP and 2024 album Oddworld, in full.
The three-day heavy metal extravaganza leaves Sydney Harbour in October 2026.
Headbang along to the heaviest bands from across Australia this May.
The duo have also released an exclusive music video featuring the first live performance of the song.
Australia could be getting its own version of the Headbangers Boat.
Beddy Rays return to Adelaide in August as part of their Do What Ya Wanna Australian tour.
Catch the American hardcore five-piece at Lion Arts Factory this July.
The talented singer-songwriter is performing in Adelaide this June.
Country folk rocker Lucinda Williams replaces Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, who have pulled out of the tour.
The Brisbane quintet have secured the coveted support slot for Oasis’ upcoming Australian tour.
Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival is hosting the largest congregation of brewers under one roof in 2025. Come raise a glass to those businesses and ensure the beers keep flowing.
The Adelaide punk rockers are calling last drinks at the Cranker next month.
Prepare for a double dose of hardcore aggression when the two bands hit Adelaide in November.
The doco charts the ups and downs of ‘90 legends Screamfeeder.
The New South Wales festival returns the October long weekend.
This is the last chance to catch SPEED perform on Aussie soil in 2025.