Melbourne’s Floodlights and James Range Band announced as part of 2024 Guts Tour

Two bands are embarking on a tour through the guts of the country this September – playing some of the most remote locations in Australia. Find out where.

Black Rock Band performing in Jilkminggan as part of the 2022 Guts Tour. Photographer Credit: Sam Brumby

A Melbourne band’s members say they “feel so lucky” to be a part of a iconic Red Centre music tour through the guts of Australia – which will end with a local band performing to their hometown crowd.

Guts Touring is back for 2024, with Melbourne-based Floodlights making the trip to tour Central Australia this September alongside Utju’s James Range Band.

The band will kick off with a show in Alice Springs on September 19, before travelling to remote communities in Central Australia – ending with a homecoming gig for James Range Band at Utju on September 28.

The bands will play in Mutitjulu September 20, Docker River September 21, Tjukurla September 22, Kintore September 24, Mount Liebig September 25, Papunya September 26, and Santa Teresa September 27.

Black Rock Band performing in Ramingining for the 2022 Guts Tour. Photographer Credit: Sam Brumby

The bands will follow in the steps of Midnight Oil’s 1986 Blackfella/Whitefella tour.

Joe Draffen from Floodlights said the tour would be special.

“I remember hearing about bands like Amyl and Dumb Punts doing the Guts Tours and thinking how amazing it’d be to get to do it,” he said.

“We feel so lucky to have gotten the call up and are counting down the days now.”

Imran Poulson from the James Range Band was equally excited about playing the upcoming shows.

“We’re so excited to be going on the tour,” he said.

Tickets for the Alice Springs show are $30, where the bands will play at The Gap View Hotel.

All other shows are free.