Photo: Hugh Stewart
Beaming from the critical accolades their 26th album has garnered, The Church, enduring luminaries of psychedelic alternative rock, have revealed their intentions for a second sojourn across the American landscape. Their latest opus, The Hypnogogue, will be reverberating once more through more venues as they announce a new series of U.S. dates to their 2023 tour itinerary.
“The Hypnogogue has come to life on stage during our U.S. and Australian tours this year,” says frontman Steve Kilbey. “Every night we play, I understand more about what it is. I am so buoyed by the audience’s enthusiasm for the songs and stories behind the songs that I’m constantly reinventing and recalibrating the whole shebang!”
In this album, the band’s customary blend of melodic psych-rock undertones embraces a divergent path; a conceptual journey exploring the eerie labyrinth of a futuristic dystopia. This striking change of direction proves to be the ideal landscape for the hauntingly mournful timbre of Steve Kilbey’s vocals, painting the sonic image of an uncanny reality that’s intriguingly fitting for the band’s evolving sound.
“Not in my wildest dreams did I expect all the love that has been thrown at this record by the audiences and the critics,” says frontman Steve Kilbey. “I’m excited to play a whole bunch of new places and take this incredible version of The Church to wherever folks want to hear us.”
The tour kicks off on September 28th at Seattle, WA’s Neptune Theater, commencing an odyssey circling the continent, including shows in SoCal, New Mexico, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
The Church will also be offering a limited number of VIP packages on this tour, which will include a show ticket, early venue access, an invitation to the band’s soundcheck, a special meet & greet with the band, exclusive merch items, and watching a portion of the show itself from the side of the stage (where available).
“I feel like a heavyweight fighter getting into the ring, pretty confident that he is going to land a knockout punch,” he laughs. “I’m most excited for anyone who hasn’t heard this record and also those who have as they feel all the love and work that goes into these songs coming to life every night!”
Watch No Other You from The Hypnogogue:
In addition to the tour, The Church will be releasing a digital deluxe edition of The Hypnogogue which will include additional songs not included on the original 13-track album. to be released this fall to coincide with the tour. More info soon!
Forty years into their existence, The Church continues to sculpt their cinematic signature blend of indie rock, glittering post-punk, icy dreampop, and cosmic post-rock with an intrepid spirit, never merely retracing their prior steps. The ensemble, as it stands today, is completed with the well-versed partnership of Tim Powles; guitarist Ian Haug, previously from Powderfinger, who integrated into the band in 2013, and Jeffrey Cain of Remy Zero, a seasoned touring multi-instrumentalist who has since become a full-time component of The Church, following Peter Koppes’ departure in early 2020.
The Church further enhanced their dynamic lineup with the enlistment of Ashley Naylor, a mainstay of Paul Kelly’s touring ensemble and recognized as one of Australia’s most respected and adept guitarists with his affiliations to Even, The Grapes, and The Stems. Spanning their extensive musical journey, they’ve spun a tapestry of memorable hits, such as “Under the Milky Way,” “Reptile,” “The Unguarded Moment,” and “Almost With You.”
They also recently gave a gripping performance at the 2022’s Cruel World Festival, alongside legends like Blondie, Bauhaus, and Morrissey, which attracted high praise and critical acclaim. Don’t miss this show in your town!
North American Tour Dates:
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