More than four decades after emerging from the shadow of Radio Birdman, The New Christs remain one of Australia’s most enduring and influential rock bands. Now, the group have been confirmed as special guests for The Damned’s Final Damnation Tour, joining the legendary UK punk pioneers at The Forum, Melbourne on 13 September.

Formed in the early 1980s by vocalist Rob Younger, The New Christs quickly established themselves as a formidable force in Australian underground rock. Drawing on the raw intensity of punk while embracing a broader rock and roll palette, the band has built a reputation for uncompromising live performances that have resonated with audiences both in Australia and overseas.

The current lineup of Rob Younger, Dave Kettley, Brent Williams, Jim Dickson and Paul Larsen continues that legacy, delivering performances that remain every bit as urgent as those that first cemented the band’s reputation.

Their momentum showed little sign of slowing in 2025, when The New Christs returned to Europe for the first time in more than a decade. The tour celebrated the release of the career-spanning double LP The Burning of Rome: Selected Works and reaffirmed the band’s place as one of Australia’s most respected rock exports, proving their catalogue has lost none of its power over the years.

Joining The Damned on what is billed as the band’s farewell Australian tour feels like a fitting pairing. Both groups helped shape the evolution of punk and alternative rock in their respective countries, and together they bring decades of history to one of Melbourne’s most iconic live venues.

For The New Christs, it represents another significant chapter in a career built on longevity rather than nostalgia. More than 40 years after their formation, they continue to carry the same spirit that first made them one of Australia’s defining underground rock bands.

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