After releasing a steady stream of new singles since last year, English party-starters Rudimental are finally ready to let their new album, 'Toast To Our Differences', out of the bag.
To be released in January, 'Toast To Our Differences' will be the first album from Rudimental in four years since their previous record 'We The Generation', and Rudimental member Kesi Dryden says the band are focused on a long-awaited return to live stages around the world, including Australia next February.
“It's definitely been a long time coming and we can't wait to share all the new music and get back on the road,” Kesi says.
“Because we took some time out to work on this new album, we haven't really been touring the live show for a couple of years now. So to have some new music and hit the road again, we're all super excited to get back out there and especially to come to Australia. It's been a while since we brought the full, live band to Australia, and we always have great times out there.”
Australia has become one of Rudimental's best performing markets in the five years since they made their live debut as part of Future Music Festival in 2013. In that time, Kesi says he and the band have witnessed their Australian fan base go from strength to strength.
“We were lucky enough to have a really big crowd from the first time we went and performed in Australia for Future Music,” he says.
“It's been great to do our own headline shows in Australia; the crowd has steadily grown, the fan base has increased and we always have an amazing time. We bring out a full band onstage and it's a big party.
“So you've not only got the four Rudimental members, but you've also got the extended band members who are all friends and family that we went through school with. So the connection between us is extra strong and that trickles out to the audience when we're playing. We have so much fun, the audience has fun and we sort of bounce of each other in one, big party.”
When that one, big party returns to our shores in February, Kesi says fans can look forward to the full Rudimental live experience in all its glory. “We'll have the full band out there – our brass players and a lot of new and up-and-coming singers that we always tend to work with. On the last tour we had Anne-Marie with us; on this tour we've got some new singers with us that you should look out for.”
The name Anne-Marie sound familiar? It should. The UK pop star is now making her own way as a solo artist after being signed to Rudimental's own label Major Toms a few years back and will be in Australia also with her own headline shows next March. “Anne-Marie was actually our first signing to our label,” Kesi says.
“We signed Anne-Marie about three years ago now when she was singing on the road with us, and helped her with her album and helped A&R her record. It worked really well: she was working on her own music while getting other fans [while] performing with us.”
'Toast To Our Differences' is released 25 January.
Rudimental Australia Tour 2019
Fri 8 Feb - Margaret Court Arena (Melbourne)Sat 9 Feb - Bonython Park (Adelaide)
Sun 10 Feb - Old Mt Gambier Gaol
Wed 13 Feb - Hordern Pavilion (Sydney)
Fri 15 Feb - Mindil Beach (Darwin)
Sat 16 Feb - Riverstage (Brisbane)
Sun 17 Feb - RAC Arena (Perth)
