Big Country Announce 2025 Greatest-Hits Australian Tour

Big Country have announced their return to Australia, set to play five capital-city shows across the (big) country in October 2025. The run of dates comes as part of the veteran Scottish band’s world tour celebrating their greatest hits, drawing from their 1980s heyday. The full list of tour dates, as well as pre-sale and ticketing information, can be accessed below.

The band – anchored by founding guitarist Bruce Watson – were last in Australia circa 2019, playing theatres nationally. Since then, the band has undergone several line-up changes. The new-look version of Big Country retains Watson and his son, Jamie, on guitar; however, it also includes three new members, who will come to Australia with the band for the very first time. On lead vocals is Tommie Paxton – who, in a meta narrative, was picked from a Big Country tribute band named Restless Natives. The band’s new rhythm section, meanwhile, is composed of bassist Chris Stones (ex-Too Late To Alone) and drummer Reece Dobbin, a former session musician for Cammy Barnes.

Big Country – ‘In A Big Country’

Big Country never made it to Australia in their original run, from their 1981 formation to the death of frontman Stuart Adamson in 2001. The surviving members of the classic line-up – Watson, bassist Tony Butler and drummer Mark Brzezicki – later reformed the band in 2007 for the band’s 25th anniversary, touring their native UK as a trio. All three were involved in the band’s second reunion from 2011 onwards, but Butler and Brzezicki exited the fold in 2012 and 2024 respectively.

Big Country Greatest Hits 2025 Tour

• Thursday, October 9th – The Triffid, Brisbane QLD
• Friday, October 10th – Metro Theatre, Sydney NSW
• Saturday, October 11th – Max Watt’s, Melbourne VIC
• Wednesday, October 15th – The Gov, Adelaide VIC
• Friday, October 17th – Rosemount Hotel, Perth WA

A pre-sale will run from 10am local time on Friday, May 9th. General sale will then follow on Monday, May 12th – again at 10am local time. Both can be accessed via Metropolis Touring.

Further Reading

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