After a 30-year wait, Finnish rock stars The Rasmus will tour Australia for the very first time in 2026.
The 'In The Shadows' hitmakers, who have released ten studio albums (with their new record 'Weirdo' dropping 12 September; pre-order it) and represented Finland at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, will headline concerts in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne next January-February.With a catalogue of hits including 'Livin' In A World Without You', 'No Fear', 'Jezabel', 'Sail Away' and 'First Day Of My Life', The Rasmus have created a kaleidoscopic collage of heavy guitars set against futuristic electronics, as well as irresistible pop hooks, which continues for the new album.
"I find it comforting that our most recent album has pretty much the same message as our first album released in 1996," frontman Lauri Ylönen says. "It is to defend and praise the ones who are different from the masses and proudly being themselves as they are.
"It has been our philosophy from the very beginning. I've always felt like an outsider not fitting the norm. I've been called a weirdo, misfit and a freak. That used to make me angry, but not anymore.
"It's become my source of strength and confidence. I've realised the power of it. All the people I find exciting and inspiring are somehow strange. We, the weirdos, unite and feed off people's judging attitudes.
"The fact is they're just afraid of us. Afraid of our capability to create new and change the future. Are you a weirdo? Join us!"
The band have teased the September release of 'Weirdo' with new single 'Love Is A Bitch' dropping today. "This song was always a wildcard," Ylönen says.
"It never fit with the rest of the songs. Still, we thought it was a fun song to play and I'm glad we decided to put it on the album. Lyrically, it's about someone who's treating you like sh.t but is too good in bed to let go."
A Rasmus concert is not just a great rock show, it's a celebration of individuality, a call to arms for every misfit hiding in the shadows.
Tickets on sale from 9am (local time) on 17 July.
The Rasmus 2026 Tour Dates
Fri 30 Jan - The Triffid (Brisbane)Sat 31 Jan - Manning Bar (Sydney)
Sun 1 Feb - Max Watts (Melbourne)
