Iconic Aussie band SPIDERBAIT have today announced their national The Key of J winter tour, a run of unique and special shows dedicated entirely to celebrating the legacy of their revolutionary bass player Janet English, in support of their new album, Sounds in The Key of J, released today. 

Their first headline tour since their sell out Ivy & The Big Apples tour in 2017, this distinctive run of shows will kick off in Tasmania at Albert Hall (Launceston) on June 3, before moving through Hobart, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle and finishing up in Adelaide at Hindley St Music Hall on August 20.  SPIDERBAIT will also be appearing at Groovin The Moo Maitland, Canberra and Bendigo in April, and Valleyways Festival in Camden NSW in September.

There will be a SPIDERBAIT, Venue &  Box Office Presale from Thursday 14 April 9am AEST before tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday 21 April 9am AEST.

“Janet’s songs are special. And over the past 30 years she’s written so many beautiful ones, but also others that hit you like a lighting bolt. The Key of J Tour will be a unique show - like nothing we’ve done before – it’ll be us celebrating Janet’s work in Spiderbait, and also the release of the double album collection of her songs Sounds in the Key of J,” explains Kram. “We can’t wait for this tour to start and to perform so many of her songs live - for me personally, it’ll be very moving and to quote Janet directly… fucken awesome!”

“Kram was going on about the compilation idea – and initially, I said 'hell no’. I kinda said 'OK' to shut him up… And here we are!” jokes Janet. “It’s been a tough few years and music really got me through the lockdowns. I still can’t quite believe we’ll be out touring again soon and for The Key of J tour, I’m super humbled and slightly terrified. I’ve missed that energy and that connection live music makes, being part of that exchange is one of the most amazing privileges.”

“So happy to have a tour coming up with my two best friends, especially to celebrate the Janet dynamic of our band,” adds Whitt.

The story of SPIDERBAIT is an unlikely but heartwarming one – three friends from a small Australian country town taking on the music scene, and emerging triumphantly 30 years later, friendship intact, and now one of the biggest and best rock bands on the national landscape. Taking inspiration from far-reaching influences from all sides of the musical spectrum (everything from Slayer to The Bangles), SPIDERBAIT took their fervent thrash-pop from their tiny hometown of Finley in NSW down to Melbourne and immersed themselves in the rich, fertile creative scene.  From there they quickly consolidated their status as national treasures, with their popularity spanning three decades with no signs of abating.  SPIDERBAIT have released seven acclaimed albums, which have all racked up gold, platinum or double platinum status and have combined Australian sales of over one million units and over 500 million global streams.  They have also secured pretty much every accolade there is to achieve on the Australian scene, having taken home numerous ARIA Awards, chalked up a number one single with their cover of Leadbelly’s Black Betty in 2004, and were the first Australian act to top the prestigious triple j Hottest 100 with Buy Me A Pony in 1996.

Spiderbait is Janet English on bass, Kram on drums and lead vocals, and Whitt on guitar.

Tickets are on sale from Thursday 21 April at 9am from the usual outlets