Māori reggae-rock sensations, Katchafire are primed to light up Australian stages once again.
With their 2024 tour set for November and December, the band is ready to bring their legendary live shows across the Tasman Sea. Singer Logan Bell talks about the tour, new music, and what fans can expect from this high-energy group.Katchafire's influence in the global reggae scene is undeniable, with their live performances becoming the stuff of legend. "We always like to put on the show. We're coming with a full horn section and big energy," Logan teased.
At the core of this tour is their latest single, 'Commit'. A smooth and soulful track, 'Commit' encapsulates the band's ethos of human connection, empathy, and peace. It delivers a message that speaks to the heart of what Katchafire has always represented: unity, love, and togetherness.
There's even more excitement on the way, with the band planning to re-release their debut single. "Yes, so on 15 November, the day we get out on tour, we are rereleasing the first single off our album 'Revival', our first album. We're reviving 'Revival'," Logan shares.
"I don't even know if I can talk about this, but we've got all the masters from 'Revival' and we're shopping it out to our friends, to artists that have inspired us. The remix with me singing on it is the first release. Stay tuned for more."
Katchafire's sound is built on the timeless foundations of classic roots reggae, yet effortlessly blends elements of R&B, funk, and modern dancehall. This fusion has allowed them to transcend borders, captivating a diverse fanbase drawn to their unique mix of slinky pop grooves and uplifting energy.
Despite their effortless feel, the songwriting is an evolutionary and reflective process. "I read quite a lot by reading about Māori history, about my family – anything and everything that can inspire me to sit down and write something," Logan says.
Tracks like 'Commit' showcase Katchafire's continued evolution while remaining rooted in reggae's traditions; traditions heavily influenced by Bob Marley's 1979 tour of New Zealand.
"He actually spent some time in my marae [traditional meeting ground] down in Wellington. My Auntie tells me that he got welcomed on and went through the process of being welcomed, and he felt such an energy in this place that he sat with the old people for like four or five hours," Logan divulged.
As the tour draws nearer, the band is eager to share more about the creative process behind 'Commit' and what goes into crafting their music. Logan gave us a glimpse into his approach.
"Well, the first thing you do is you've got to sit down and actually try to make a song, consistently. You've got to keep at it because, you know, you're not gonna catch anything if you haven't got a line in the water."
What surprises can fans expect from the upcoming shows? Logan hinted at a possible shift in the performance dynamic. "I've been really loving stripping things back a bit lately, doing acoustic versions," he says, promising fans a blend of the band's big, full sound and more intimate, stripped-back moments.
So, what keeps the band inspired after more than two decades together, and what is it about Australia that makes their tours here so special? "We're ANZACs, you know, we've got a rivalry going with all the sports, and when we team up it's pretty unstoppable," Logan says.
"We got a lot of expats over there, so it feels like home to us. Me and the boys just enjoy coming over the ditch. We enjoy being able to tour for four or five weeks. No bands from New Zealand do that."
As the tour dates approach, it's time for fans to get ready to groove, embrace the spirit of unity, and experience Katchafire's signature magic live in concert. Logan promised nothing less than an unforgettable experience. "We love going out and taking our music to the masses. That's how our formula has been since the start."
Katchafire 2024 Tour Dates
Thu 14 Nov - Beach Hotel (Byron Bay)Fri 15 Nov - Miami Marketta (Gold Coast)* sold out
Sat 16 Nov - The Back Room (Brisbane)
Sun 17 Nov - Solbar (Sunshine Coast)
Thu 21 Nov - Magnums (Airlie Beach)
Fri 22 Nov - Dalrymple Hotel (Townsville)
Thu 28 Nov - Barwon Club (Geelong)
Fri 29 Nov - The Night Cat (Melbourne)
Sat 30 Nov - Chelsea Heights Hotel (Melbourne)
Sun 1 Dec - Volta (Ballarat)
Thu 5 Dec - River Hotel (Margaret River)
Fri 6 Dec - Rosemount Hotel (Perth)
Sat 7 Dec - Freo.Social (Fremantle)
Sun 8 Dec - Leisure Inn (Perth)
Thu 12 Dec - Drifters Wharf (Central Coast)
Fri 13 Dec - Metro Theatre (Sydney)
Sat 14 Dec - Shoal Bay Country Club (Hunter Valley)
Sun 15 Dec - Dee Why RSL (Sydney)
