Irish sensation Wallis Bird is coming to Australia in 2024

WORDS BY STAFF WRITER

The Irish music sensation is returning down under in January.

Prepare to be serenaded by the mesmerising melodies of Irish native and Berlin-based artist Wallis Bird. This coming January 2024, Wallis Bird is set to embark on her fourth Australian tour, promising audiences a musical journey unlike any other.

Delivering performances full of intimate explorations of humanity, identity, and the transformative power of music, Wallis Bird will kick off the tour in Brisbane, before heading to Byron Bay, Sydney, Katoomba, Canberra, Adelaide, Tasmania, Franklin, Melbourne and Illawarra.

Wallis Bird’s 2024 Australian tour

January 3 – The Outpost, Brisbane
January 4 – Brunswick Picture House, Byron Bay / Brunswick
January 6 – Vanguard, Sydney
January 7 – Baroque Room, Katoomba
January 9 – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra
January 10 – Trinity Sessions, Adelaide
January 12-14 – Cygnet Festival, Tasmania
January 17 – The Palais Theatre, Franklin
January 19 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
January 20-21 – Illawarra Folk Fest, Illawarra

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

The pandemic may have interrupted her 2022 touring plans, but Wallis Bird’s time away from the stage has been far from quiet. This international award-winning artist has captivated audiences worldwide for over a decade, with more than 1000 shows under her belt. Her accolades include two Irish Meteor Awards, a nomination for the Irish Choice Music Prize, a prestigious 2017 German “Musikautorenpreis” award, and even a nod for musician of the year from Ireland’s legendary music magazine, Hot Press. The Irish Times once accurately noted that her onstage energy could “kickstart an entire economy.” That’s the kind of vitality and passion Wallis Bird brings to her live performances.

In 2022, Wallis Bird unveiled her seventh studio album, HANDS, which is arguably her most personal and experimental creation to date. The album takes a deep dive into intensely personal topics such as trust, alcohol abuse, stagnation, and self-improvement, all set against the backdrop of the tumultuous last two years. While the themes explored may be weighty, every song is uplifted by Bird’s voice, suffused with joy, ingenuity, and an undeniable empathy.

To fully appreciate “HANDS,” one must understand its profound significance. The album cover features a hand missing a little finger—a poignant reminder of Bird’s childhood accident when she lost her fingers to a lawnmower. “Four were reconnected. One was lost. This led me to relearn how to hold things, and, when the time came, to play the guitar differently,” Bird reflects. It serves as a powerful symbol of her life’s journey, defiance, and resilience.

Tickets for all shows can be found here.