Paul Kelly has announced a unique run of shows from late August 2025, which will mark the first headlining arena shows of his 40-plus year career. The tour, in support of Kelly’s forthcoming album Fever Longing Still, is being billed as his only run of shows anywhere in 2025. The full list of tour dates, as well as ticketing information, can be accessed below.
Joining Kelly as main support on the run will be Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit. Isbell is a beloved Grammy-winning American alt-country singer-songwriter, who last toured Australia in April 2023 as part of that year’s Bluesfest. Since he was last in the country, Isbell has released his ninth solo album Weathervanes, which won the Grammy for Best Americana Album earlier this year.
Opening the shows, meanwhile, will be Tooma singer-songwriter Fanny Lumsden. The ARIA and Golden Guitar winner released her fourth studio album, Hey Dawn, in August 2023 and has toured it extensively across the country since its release. She had previously toured with Kelly in 2022, doing a series of regional shows together in duo mode with her husband, Dan Freeman.
Paul Kelly – ‘Before Too Long’
Although a frequent touring artist since the late 70s, Kelly only played arenas for the first time in 2001 when he supported Bob Dylan on the Australian leg of the Never Ending Tour. He then returned to arenas in early 2009, supporting the late Leonard Cohen. Kelly played several shows throughout 2023, including appearances at Harvest Rock, Red Hot Summer and Now & Forever.
Paul Kelly, Jason Isbell & Fanny Lumsden 2025 Tour Dates
- Tuesday, August 26th – RAC Arena, Perth WA
- Friday, August 29th – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane QLD
- Saturday, August 30th – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney NSW
- Tuesday, September 2nd – MyState Bank Arena, Hobart TAS
- Thursday, September 4th – AEC Arena, Adelaide SA
- Saturday, September 6th – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC
A pre-sale for the tour begins at 2pm local time on Monday, October 28th. Links for the pre-sale can only be accessed by pre-ordering a copy of Fever Longing Still, which can be done here. General sale then follows on Wednesday, October 30th at 3pm local time via Frontier Touring.
Further Reading
Fanny Lumsden’s Going Up the Country
Paul Kelly Says He’s Not Being Paid By the Yes Campaign: “My Views Are My Own”
Watch Courtney Barnett Go Full Fangirl Playing Bob Dylan’s Guitar
