This month, Perth indie rock favourites Little Birdy will be taking fans on a trip down musical memory lane when they hit the road for their first headline tour in 16 years.

Having initially formed back in 2002 by singer and guitarist Katy Steele, drummer Matt Chequer, guitarist and keyboardist Simon Leach, and bassist Scott O'Donoghue, Little Birdy wasted no time in setting themselves apart from their contemporaries, releasing a run of singles and EPs ahead of their debut album.

Recorded with Paul McKercher in Sydney in 2004, BigBigLove was a BigBigSuccess for the quartet, hitting #5 on the ARIA charts, scoring four ARIA Award nominations, and even impacting triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown once again, with Beautiful To Me hitting #8 in the 2004 poll.

After two more albums, Little Birdy would take some time off in 2010, but after hitting the road again in 2024 (albeit without Chequer, who now lives in Canada), the group are back in full force, this time touring to celebrate the 21st birthday of BigBigLove. Tickets to those shows are on sale now, with the first date kicking off next week.

With a walk down musical memory lane on the way, we asked Little Birdy to take their own trip back to 2004, reflecting on some of their favourite memories of recording that stellar debut album.

1. Paul McKercher

It was an absolute pleasure for all of us, to work and learn from Paul. I believe he created the intro for triple j news. All cut and pasted using only recording tape. 

2. Beautiful Drums

This was the setup for recording Beautiful To Me, for no real reason after we had tried to record live to track all morning. Matty and I decided over lunch to swap instruments Matty on acoustic guitar and myself on drums. 

My first take, Paul McKercher yelled from the control room, “What the F was that!”, not knowing I could hear him. Obviously the second take was perfect except for one misplaced snare drum hit. See if you can find it.

3. COrky

Little Birdy use a lot of notes. Paul in the background for scale.

4. Barney

How could you ever be mad at Dolphin Boy?

5. Matty

We miss you Matty. Great human being.

6. John Watson

Little Birdy’s manager at the time and still mentor. All just hanging out having a listen to the current day’s creation.

7. Footy

Almost every lunchtime we would go down to Dog Shit Oval to kick the footy and clear our heads.

8. Katy

The recording process can be hazy. It’s great to be back hanging out and playing live with Katy again.

9. Bells

The bells were in the way so we recorded them on Come On Little Heartbreaker.

10. Gear Nerds

All these instruments were used on the recording of BigBigLove.

Little Birdy – BigBigLove 21st Anniversary Tour 2025

Friday, June 20th – Princess Theatre, Brisbane, QLD

Saturday, June 21st – Miami Marketta, Gold Coast, QLD

Thursday, July 3rd – The Gov, Adelaide, SA

Friday, July 4th – Corner Hotel, Melbourne, VIC

Saturday, July 5th – Chelsea Heights Hotel, Chelsea Heights, VIC

Thursday, July 31st – King Street Bandroom, Newcastle, NSW

Friday, August 1st – Waves, Wollongong, NSW

Saturday, August 2nd – Manning Bar, Sydney, NSW

Friday, August 8th – Astor Theatre, Perth, WA

Saturday, August 9th – Dunsborough Tavern, Dunsborough, WA