Blab Music
Less Than Jake Announces 2026 Circus Down Under Tour of Australia and New Zealand
Less Than Jake is heading back to the Southern Hemisphere with a series of high‑energy shows in October and November 2026, under the banner of the ‘Circus Down Under’ tour. The band will play in five Australian cities—Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane—before wrapping up in Auckland, New Zealand. The tour is supported by The Aquabats and the Detroit Suicide Machines.
The announcement follows a decade‑long pattern of visits to Australia that began in 1999 when the band appeared at the Vans Warped Tour and later played at festivals such as Soundwave and the Livid Festival. According to an interview with 50 Shades of Slaids, frontman Chris DeMakes said that those early appearances helped the group build a loyal fan base in the region. He noted that the combination of live shows and media exposure—particularly video‑game placements—has kept the group relevant to new audiences.
Less Than Jake’s music has appeared in several high‑profile games, including the Tony Hawk series and Grand Theft Auto. Those placements, the interview explains, introduced the band’s ska‑punk sound to gamers who might not otherwise encounter the genre. DeMakes added that the songs chosen for the upcoming tour will focus on fan favorites and tracks that have benefited from such exposure, rather than obscure material.
The band’s recent releases also shape the setlist. In November 2024, the group issued the seven‑song EP Uncharted, produced by Bill Stevenson of Descendents and Black Flag. The EP was followed by the single “Scatter the Ashes,” which was recorded during a five‑song session in Gainesville, Florida. DeMakes said that the new material will be integrated with classic hits to provide a balanced experience for long‑time listeners and newcomers alike.
During the interview, DeMakes recounted a memorable moment from a previous Australian tour: a spontaneous jam session on the back of a tour bus that attracted a crowd of local fans who followed the band to the next venue. The anecdote illustrates the band’s reputation for engaging live performances and the strong connection they maintain with audiences in the region.
The tour’s schedule was confirmed by the band’s official website and by ticketing partners. The first show is slated for 27 October in Perth, with the final performance on 15 November in Auckland. Ticket sales are currently open for all dates, and the tour is expected to draw fans who have followed the band since the early 2000s.
Less Than Jake’s history in Australia is part of a broader pattern of international touring that has kept the band’s career active for more than three decades. Since forming in Gainesville, Florida in 1992, the group has released nine studio albums, several EPs, and a compilation of earlier work. The band’s self‑label, Sleep It Off Records, has released most of its recent material, giving the group control over its touring and distribution.
The inclusion of The Aquabats and the Detroit Suicide Machines as support acts reflects a long‑standing relationship between the bands. All three groups have shared stages in the United States and have toured together on multiple occasions. Their combined fan bases are expected to boost ticket sales and create a lively atmosphere for the Australian and New Zealand audiences.
The ‘Circus Down Under’ tour is the latest chapter in Less Than Jake’s ongoing engagement with international fans. With a setlist that blends classic hits, recent releases, and songs that have found life in video games, the band aims to deliver a performance that honors its legacy while showcasing its current creative output. Fans can look forward to a series of shows that promise high‑energy music, tight musicianship, and the band’s characteristic sense of humor.
The tour will run through mid‑November, after which the band is expected to return to the United States for a brief period of studio work and potential festival appearances. No additional dates have been announced beyond the current schedule.
The announcement follows a decade‑long pattern of visits to Australia that began in 1999 when the band appeared at the Vans Warped Tour and later played at festivals such as Soundwave and the Livid Festival. According to an interview with 50 Shades of Slaids, frontman Chris DeMakes said that those early appearances helped the group build a loyal fan base in the region. He noted that the combination of live shows and media exposure—particularly video‑game placements—has kept the group relevant to new audiences.
Less Than Jake’s music has appeared in several high‑profile games, including the Tony Hawk series and Grand Theft Auto. Those placements, the interview explains, introduced the band’s ska‑punk sound to gamers who might not otherwise encounter the genre. DeMakes added that the songs chosen for the upcoming tour will focus on fan favorites and tracks that have benefited from such exposure, rather than obscure material.
The band’s recent releases also shape the setlist. In November 2024, the group issued the seven‑song EP Uncharted, produced by Bill Stevenson of Descendents and Black Flag. The EP was followed by the single “Scatter the Ashes,” which was recorded during a five‑song session in Gainesville, Florida. DeMakes said that the new material will be integrated with classic hits to provide a balanced experience for long‑time listeners and newcomers alike.
During the interview, DeMakes recounted a memorable moment from a previous Australian tour: a spontaneous jam session on the back of a tour bus that attracted a crowd of local fans who followed the band to the next venue. The anecdote illustrates the band’s reputation for engaging live performances and the strong connection they maintain with audiences in the region.
The tour’s schedule was confirmed by the band’s official website and by ticketing partners. The first show is slated for 27 October in Perth, with the final performance on 15 November in Auckland. Ticket sales are currently open for all dates, and the tour is expected to draw fans who have followed the band since the early 2000s.
Less Than Jake’s history in Australia is part of a broader pattern of international touring that has kept the band’s career active for more than three decades. Since forming in Gainesville, Florida in 1992, the group has released nine studio albums, several EPs, and a compilation of earlier work. The band’s self‑label, Sleep It Off Records, has released most of its recent material, giving the group control over its touring and distribution.
The inclusion of The Aquabats and the Detroit Suicide Machines as support acts reflects a long‑standing relationship between the bands. All three groups have shared stages in the United States and have toured together on multiple occasions. Their combined fan bases are expected to boost ticket sales and create a lively atmosphere for the Australian and New Zealand audiences.
The ‘Circus Down Under’ tour is the latest chapter in Less Than Jake’s ongoing engagement with international fans. With a setlist that blends classic hits, recent releases, and songs that have found life in video games, the band aims to deliver a performance that honors its legacy while showcasing its current creative output. Fans can look forward to a series of shows that promise high‑energy music, tight musicianship, and the band’s characteristic sense of humor.
The tour will run through mid‑November, after which the band is expected to return to the United States for a brief period of studio work and potential festival appearances. No additional dates have been announced beyond the current schedule.
