Triple-bill tour brings NYC gospel heat and Melbourne groove together.
Get ready to sweat, soul lovers. A mind-blowing triple-bill featuring Eli Paperboy Reed, The Harlem Gospel Travelers and Melbourne’s own The Meltdown is about to tear through Australia this May in what’s shaping up to be the most electrifying celebration of rhythm and soul this year.
Marking a massive 20 years since his debut, NYC’s Eli Paperboy Reed brings his heart-stopping live show down under with two new dates added across NSW and Victoria. But he’s not coming alone – the Grammy-nominated Harlem Gospel Travelers are making their Australian debut while The Meltdown will pull double duty, delivering their own set before backing both international acts in a genre-defying musical marathon.
Eli Paperboy Reed + The Harlem Gospel Travelers + The Meltdown
• Thursday, May 8 – Corner Hotel, Richmond VIC
• Friday, May 9 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine VIC
• Saturday, May 10 – The Baso, Belconnen ACT
• Sunday, May 11 – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
• Thursday, May 15 to Sunday, May 18 – Blues On Broadbeach, Gold Coast QLD
Eli Paperboy Reed + The Meltdown
• Tuesday, May 13 – Centro CBD, Wollongong NSW (Duo with Simon Burke)
• Monday, May 19 – Byron Theatre, Byron Bay NSW (Duo with Simon Burke)
• Thursday, May 22 – The Memo, Healesville VIC
• Friday, May 23 – The Gov, Hindmarsh SA
• Saturday, May 24 – Queenscliff Town Hall, Queenscliff VIC
• Sunday, May 25 – Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan VIC
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The tour coincides with Reed celebrating two decades of music through a special re-release of his first album Sings Walkin’ And Talkin’ And Other Smash Hits! via Yep Roc Records. Originally recorded in a basement studio and limited to just 300 CDs, the remastered edition features additional tracks and a previously unheard Harvard University radio session from 2005.
“I can’t wait to get back to Australia with this incredible lineup,” says Reed. “The energy is going to be like nothing you’ve ever seen – sweaty, loud and pure soul from start to finish!”
The Harlem Gospel Travelers, fresh off their Grammy nomination for the album Rhapsody (produced by Reed himself), arrive as the first openly queer gospel group to receive such recognition, bringing raw soul and joyful grooves to Australian audiences for the first time.
Meanwhile, The Meltdown celebrates 10 years since their breakout hit Better Days while showcasing why they’re Australia’s premier soul outfit. Led by Simon Burke’s unmistakable vocals and featuring lush brass arrangements, they’ve amassed over 125 million streams globally since their 2017 self-titled debut.
The first leg of the tour runs as a full triple-bill until May 18, culminating in standalone slots at Blues On Broadbeach. The second leg continues with Reed and The Meltdown as a dynamic duo, plus two special intimate shows featuring Reed performing with Burke in Wollongong and Byron Bay.
For tickets, head here.
