Tour postponed: Drummer of major Australian band tests positive to Covid-19

A band of ARIA hall-of-famers has postponed its upcoming show in Tasmania just before their support act was due to fly out from the United States. SEE WHY >>

The Hoodoo Gurus have been forced to reschedule their tour, which was set to visit Hobart next week.

The Aussie rockers of What’s My Scene? fame were due to embark on their 40th Anniversary Tour with Oregon alt-rockers the Dandy Warhols when drummer Nik Rieth tested positive to coronavirus on Wednesday.

“With the band rehearsing together for the tour up until when Nik first experienced Covid symptoms, as a precaution and before the Dandy Warhols depart for Australia, for everyone’s safety the decision has been made to regrettably postpone the tour with rescheduled dates to be announced soon,” a statement from the band read.

Sydney rock band Hoodoo Gurus, whose 10th album 'Chariot of the Gods' was released in March 2022. Picture: Christopher Ferguson

Hoodoo Gurus frontman Dave Faulkner said the group was “devastated” to have plans foiled by Covid when all crew and band members were triple vaccinated.

“Despite our best efforts, this sneaky virus got past our guard,” he said.

“It’s early days yet but Nik is currently doing well so we are hopeful he will make a speedy recovery.

“Brad, Rick and I are all still fit and healthy however it wouldn’t surprise us if one or all of us also turns out to be Covid-positive in the coming days.”

Faulkner said the group had spent several hours together on Tuesday in rehearsal.

“As close contacts, we are all currently self-isolating as required by NSW Health guidelines,” he said.

“We’ve been dreaming about doing this tour for so long that it’s especially heartbreaking to have come so close.

“Hopefully we and The Dandy Warhols can reschedule for later this year or, heaven help us all, early next year.”

The Dandy Warhols. Picture: Supplied.

Full refunds will be available, but Faulkner has championed the #keepyourtickets hashtag to encourage fans to hold tight.

Dandy Warhols member Zia McCabe shared her disappointment, but said the tour would be worth the wait.

“I have to believe that the pent up energy that’s been building and building is going to explode into a truly massive concussion of rock and roll when we finally get to play these shows.”

Ticket holders will be notified of new tour dates through the official ticketing agency.

Dark Mofo is back: See dates, plus major international acts

The darkness will return this midwinter in one of Tasmania’s biggest festivals, with a program preview revealing why this year’s event theme is “resurrection”.

Dark Mofo is back for 2022.

Longer than last year, the festival will run across two weeks this June, culminating in the famous Nude Swim at dawn on the shortest day of the year.

Scenes from Dark Mofo late night DJ program Night Shift at Altar Bar, Hobart. Source: Dark Mofo.

The overarching theme of the festival this year is resurrection – a fitting motif for the gradual return to normalcy following the pandemic, which claimed Dark Mofo 2020 as one of the first major Covid-cancellations in Tasmania.

Creative director Leigh Carmichael has said this year, each separate week will follow its own concept.

Week one will showcase art openings and performances, while the second week will bring back the Dark Mofo staples of live performance, arts and music.

Winter Feast, the food component of Hobart's annual Dark Mofo winter festival. Picture: Adam Gibson.

“We’re beginning a new era of Dark Mofo, exploring the ideas of rebirth, reincarnation, and new life,” Mr Carmichael said.

“We’re privileged to have some internationally renowned artists confirmed for this year, alongside exciting locals.

“It feels like the cultural world is re-emerging post-Covid, and so will the festival.”

Highlights from the first week will be three new exhibitions at Mona, featuring Canadian Jeremy Shaw Brisbane’s Robert Andrew, and locals Fiona Hall and AJ King, with a special ‘Up Late’ opening.

A wicked and raunchy Blue Rose Ball will allow attendees to dress to the nines.

Nude Solstice swim as part of Dark Mofo 2021 at Long Beach Sandy Bay. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones.

Then comes week two, featuring Germany’s Nils Frahm premiering his work aptly titled Music For Hobart.

Night Mass: Transcendence will take over In the Hanging Garden for late night festivities, the City of Hobart Winter Feast will return and a community cultural event Reclamation Walk will be back for its second year.

Arts Minister Elise Archer said the festival had been a cultural beacon for the state since it began in 2013.

She was glad to see the festival become “bigger and better” once again.

Opening night of the Dark Mofo, Winter Feast. Picture: Richard Jupe.

“I understand the line-up will showcase a vibrant mix of Tasmanians artists, along with other national and international performers, which is another positive sign the industry is getting back on its feet following the impacts of Covid-19.,” Ms Archer said.

“The iconic festival has been fantastic for our State, encouraging locals and tourists to get out and about in Hobart in the traditionally quiet winter months.

“The Government is proud to support the event and we have secured its future with a new, three-year agreement signed in September last year.”

The full program will be announced next month, with hopeful attendees encouraged to subscribe for updates via darkmofo.net.au/subscribe

DARK MOFO: WHAT’S ON (SO FAR)

Week one – June 8-12

Bill Viola, video and new media artist from the US.

Doug Aitken, US sculpture artist and video and photography artist.

Jeremy Shaw, Canadian artist.

Fiona Hall, Tasmanian artist.

AJ King, Tasmanian artist.

Robert Andrew, Brisbane artist.

The Blue Rose Ball.

Dark Mofo 2021. Pope Alice – Close Encounters. Dark Mofo 2021. Picture: Remi Chauvin, Dark Mofo.

Week two – June 15-22

Nils Frahm, Music For Hobart.

Lingua Ignota, classically trained multi-instrumentalist from the United States of America.

Kim Gordon, the post-punk powerhouse of Sonic Youth fame.

Spiritualised, space rockers from England.

Deafheaven, San Francisco rock band.

Chelsea Wolfe, a doom metal and folk gothic rocker from the US.

Emma Ruth Rundle, solo US pianist.

City of Hobart Winter Feast, on the waterfront.

Night Mass: Transcendence, In the Hanging Garden.

Reclamation Walk.

Nude Solstice Swim.