TSIM (Not TISM) Confirm Return Of Giant Puppets For Upcoming Melbourne Show

6 October 2026 3:32 PM

As TISM launch their latest tour, they've confirmed the presence of a massive stage presence for a forthcoming hometown gig.

TISM(Credit: Blowfly Hill Photography)

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As Melbourne icons TISM (or TSIM, as they're listed on the gig posters) continue their recently-launched No Mistakes tour, the group have confirmed their forthcoming Melbourne performance will see the return of their now-beloved giant puppets.

Having made their debut at the band's Sydney Opera House shows in April, the puppets were an unexpected presence on the live stage, and were on hand to witness the infamous damage that the group inflicted upon the venue at the time.

A document released by TISM management outlined damage to non-retracting seats and armchairs of the Opera House, including split veneers, a scratched number plate on the back of a seat, chipped surfaces, an out-of-alignment chair, multiple damaged armrests, stained chairs, backrest cracking, and more.

The detailed cost breakdown ultimately revealed a total of $18,488.80 ("the largest ever damages bill from the Sydney Opera House since designer Jørn Utzon threw in the trowel back in 1966", they claimed) and TISM swiftly issued a statement claiming they "strenuously deny responsibility for any damage" to the Sydney Opera House.

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"TSIM do not know who is to blame, but we note that on Saturday April 11 Sir Donald Runnicles led the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in a dramatic performance of Mahler’s Sixth Symphony in the Concert Hall, featuring the legendary, pounding 'hammer blows of fate'.

"Enough said."

Now, the band's management have confirmed that when the group take to the stage on Saturday, October 10th for their third night at Melbourne's Forum Theatre, the puppets will be back on deck for what is "likely to be their last appearance ever".

It will be the third in a series of shows which the group have claimed will be "radically different" as they tour across the country on their first national trek in 30 years.

Speaking to The Music recently, vocalists Humphrey and Ron expounded on what a “radically different” setlist might look like for the band.

"I think the radical difference is in the levels of the white blood cells that signify prostate cancer," Humphrey explains. "Each night, our levels will be higher and higher, and that will cause a radically different sound to songs.

"I mean, we're planning to play the same song 20 times. But the audience being, of course, aficionados of TISM, the sort of people who know better than anyone else what TISM wants – and that's, you know, come along and boo us – those people will understand that it's not the same song 20 times.

"Rather, it's performed by a gentleman whose prostate cancer percentage has radically changed."

Tickets for TISM’s upcoming No Mistakes tour are on sale now.