Tortoise Announce Aussie & NZ December Tour Dates

US post-rock titans Tortoise have announced a five-date tour of Australia this December, complemented with a two-show sojourn in New Zealand.

In the imminent wake of a pair of shows across the ditch — one at Auckland's Kings Arms on 2 December; the second at Wellington's San Fran on 3 December — the band will kick off their local leg in Brisbane, heading down and around the country through Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth during their brief but comprehensive tour of the country.

Tortoise return to the country touting their first new album in seven years, The Catastrophist, which was — uniquely for the band's oeuvre — born of a commission from the City Of Chicago to develop a series of works that drew inspiration from their home-town's influential music scenes, notably its jazz community.

Conscripting guest services from renowned acts such as Yo La Tengo and US Maple, the band have crafted one of their most distinct and accomplished releases in years, and the prospect of hearing anything at all from their newest work in a live setting is one for which it's well worth getting excited.

Tickets for all shows are available now; see Under The Radar for New Zealand details, and hit theGuide for the full spread of dates, venues and other booking information for the Aussie leg.