Shihad Announce 2025 Farewell Tour

In bittersweet news we wanted to be wrong about, Shihad have confirmed that they’ll embark on a farewell tour in early 2025.

Earlier this month, the New Zealand rockers spooked fans by sharing new graphics on social media that read “SHIHAD—LOUD FOREVER” with the years 1988 to 2025.

With the definitive-looking dates (1988 to 2025), fans expressed concern and sadness that Shihad’s post could indicate an impending disbandment. Unfortunately, the fans were right about this one.

Shihad’s 36-year career has seen them experience many achievements, such as selling hundreds of thousands of records, winning numerous Aotearoa Music Awards, touring the globe, and getting inducted into Aotearoa’s Music Hall of Fame.

Despite the good times, multiple factors have led to the band’s impending end. The gaps between albums have increased, the band members have commitments outside of Shihad, and none of the members will ever be half-ass being in the band. So, the band—Jon Toogood, Karl Kippenberger, Phil Knight, and Tom Larkin—made the tough call to say goodbye.

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To celebrate Shihad and their fans' love for each other, the band has announced the Loud Forever—The Final Tour dates.

Beginning the farewell tour at Adelaide’s The Gov on Thursday, 13 February, the tour continues into Sydney’s Metro Theatre on Friday, 14 February, Perth’s Astor Theatre on Friday, 21 February, Brisbane’s The Tivoli on Friday, 28 February, and wraps up at Melbourne’s Forum on Friday, 7 March.

Shihad will be joined by special guests Battlesnake on all dates, with the Melbourne show also including Bodyjar. Tickets go on sale today at 9 am AEDT via Shihad’s website.

Read on to see what the band said about today’s announcement.

Jon Toogood remarked:

We need to pay homage to the legacy of this band because it's meant so much to us and also to the people that have supported us. We’re gonna fucking hit it!

Karl Kippenberger commented:

We’ve had as much fun as we've had moments of disappointment and of anger, but we've also had some real special moments.

Tom Larkin added:

The fundamental chemistry and makeup of what makes SHIHAD special and what makes SHIHAD work requires certain things to be in place. When you can't sustain those things or plan for those things, it takes away from SHIHAD being something that makes sense. It’s about a shared commitment and a shared energy.

Phil Knight concluded:

You know, personal relationships and professional work don't always survive forever. But we've lived it all. We really have. We've lived the life that so many musicians would give their right arm for.