Get ready to rock, Australia! The Maine, the electrifying rockers from Arizona, are making their return Down Under with their Sweet Sixteen Tour after two long years.
Celebrating 16 epic years of music, they’re set to throw the ultimate party with five explosive shows across the country this September. This isn’t just about their ninth album, it’s a full-blown celebration of their incredible staying power as a band.
Since their inception in 2007, The Maine has been a driving force in musical evolution, boasting an extensive catalogue to draw from. When it comes to crafting their setlist, The Maine aims to provide a well-rounded experience for their fans and what audiences can expect on this tour.
The Maine’s 2024 Australian tour
- Sunday, September 15th – Magnet House, Perth WA
- Tuesday, September 17th – The Gov, Adelaide SA
- Thursday, September 19th – The Tivoli, Brisbane QLD
- Friday, September 20th – Liberty Hall, Sydney NSW
- Sunday, September 22nd – Forum Theatre, Melbourne VIC
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“Because it’s the birthday of the band tour, we have to play something off of everything, all the records,” bassist Garrett Nickelsen says. This means audiences can expect a dynamic mix of hits spanning their entire discography.
Whether you’re vibing with the early album Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, rocking out to the tunes of American Candy, or diving into the fresh tracks from their latest self-titled album such as I Think About You All the Time and Thoughts I Have While Lying in Bed, this tour promises to cater to all musical tastes and leave you thoroughly satisfied.
The Maine typically start formulating what they will play with compiling an extensive list and then they carefully refine it. “That balance of what were the big songs, and what’s a deeper cut that people would be excited to hear, that we haven’t played in years. We’re excited to see what they think about the new record. Playing all the new stuff was fun in the States and UK and went over well. It’s always fun to play new stuff.”
He shares a particular moment during the show that’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. “We’re doing Blame right into Misery. We don’t have many guitar riffs that start songs, but it’s fun when that song starts to hear people cheer. It’s like, ‘Oh cool, we have a riff that people know and get excited by the song.'”
What birthday party is complete without party games? Just when you thought their stage presence and energy weren’t already enough, The Maine have some interactive fun in store for fans.
“We’ve been doing this thing where we bring up a meter, where people yell and the level goes up, and we pick the song that they choose they want to hear,” he says. That generates mass anticipation with the crowd: “I love the moment when people vote because I don’t know what we’re about to play.”
Reflecting on their past experiences with Australian audiences, they fondly recall some of our own games and antics. “You guys throw the shoe and make you drink out of them. Shoey. That’s an Australia-only thing.”
Another party trick Australian fans might want to attempt is to take a leaf out of the Brazilian audience’s book. The band has shared how fans there successfully got their requests played.
“We will be halfway through a song and then we will hear this chanting ‘Jenny! Jenny! Jenny!’ and think, ‘Wow, we gotta play it!’” It’s your party too, so the band encourage you to get rowdy.
When it comes to changing up their sound with each album, The Maine finds themselves traversing a diverse musical landscape, often being labelled with an array of genres. Yet, they embrace this versatility with open arms, viewing it as a testament to their creative exploration. “We’ve done so much, it could be anything, and we’re okay with that,” he admits, showcasing their artistic freedom.
Their loyal fan base stands as a testament to their enduring impact on the music scene. Over the years, they’ve cultivated a dedicated following who eagerly anticipate each new release and attend their dynamic live performances.
With the band’s widespread appeal, they’re continually attracting new fans. “It’s amazing, and that’s the reason we do this. Come along, we’re down!” Nickelsen notes, welcoming new fans with open arms.
As they continue to evolve and push the boundaries with each album, The Maine remains steadfast in their commitment to tailoring their sound. “We’re just really interested in music, and I know that sounds lame,” he confessed.
“We’re still trying to find those new sounds and things that make your ears go ‘whoa, that’s different.’ It’s been one of those things that sometimes we’re sure it’s a great thing that we’ve changed, but sometimes people bail and think we’ve changed too much.
“We’ve got to be excited about what we’re doing, and doing the same thing over and over isn’t exciting. Sometimes it’s fun to go back and experiment with something you did a while ago or whatever feels right in the moment.”
The party starts rolling on Sunday, September 15 at Magnet House in Perth, followed by performances at The Gov in Adelaide on September 17, The Tivoli in Brisbane on September 19, Liberty Hall in Sydney on September 20, and The Forum in Melbourne on September 22. The gigs in Perth and Melbourne are for those 18 and over, while the rest of the tour welcomes fans of all ages.
Get tickets here via Destroy All Lines.
