Last year, Kingswood embarked on the longest ever music tour of Australia.
Spread across 6 months, 112 shows, and taking in every corner of Australia while playing to 60,000 fans, Kingswood documented the adventure with young filmmakers Darcy Newton and Luca Catalano.Titled 'Claptrap', the film follows the band and the relentless grind of touring life as they navigated such an expansive undertaking on the road. While bringing them closer together, it also pushed the band into visceral emotional territory.
"The documentary process was unusual and fantastical," songwriter-guitarist Alexander Laska says. "The most compelling aspect was being aware of, and wilfully subjecting to the experience of one's life being documented in the pursuit of artistic expression."
Directed by Newton and produced by Catalano, 'Claptrap' provides a compelling insight into the life of a touring musician, while also highlighting the charisma and electrifying nature of Kingswood when they're in their natural element – on stages of all kinds.
"When Kingswood asked me, a 23-year-old filmmaker, to document Australia's longest ever tour, I knew that if I actually managed to make it home, the film would be very unique and strange," shares Newton.
"I wanted to create an unreplicable, charming and honest glimpse into the extraordinary world of touring musicians, and this became 'Claptrap."
The film will be screened at a number of events in April, visiting Melbourne, Geelong, Adelaide, Byron Bay, Brisbane and Sydney, with Kingswood attending select screenings.
"It was surprising how quickly and easily I was able to live as if there wasn't a camera in my face all day," songwriter-guitarist Fergus Linacre says. "Credit to Darcy and his ability to shoot surreptitiously, and to gain our trust. This enabled him to shoot more real-life moments providing the depth and intimacy you experience in the film."
Adds Catalano and Newton: "We are filmmakers still from a maturing generation, whose voice, perspectives and concerns aren't hugely represented on the big screen yet.
"It's exciting to be able to contribute and complicate this representation. Certainly, this film has been made for fans of Kingswood. If you want to see your favourite rock band wake up together, sleep, eat, argue, dance, drive – and of course, perform – tune in."
Tickets to the Astor Theatre, Thornbury Picture House and New Farm Cinemas are available. More screenings to be announced across the country soon.
Kingswood Claptrap 2025 Screenings Dates
Fri 4 Ap - Astor Theatre (Melbourne)**Sat 5 Apr - Thornbury Picture House (Melbourne)**
Sun 6 Apr - Pivotonian Cinema (Geelong)
Wed 9 Apr - Regal Theatre (Adelaide)
Wed 9 Apr - Byron Bay Palace**
Thu 10 Apr - New Farm Cinema (Brisbane)**
Fri 11 Apr - The Ritz (Sydney)**
** Kingswood attending
