The Australian siblings turn fan karaoke conversations into a new series of reimagined songs, opening with OneRepublic’s Apologize, while extending their Karaoke Bar World Tour across North America in May 2027.
Angus & Julia Stone have released their version of OneRepublic’s Apologize, launching The Highway Karaoke Roadhouse, a new series of covers inspired by conversations with fans during the promotion of their ARIA number one album Karaoke Bar.
The project grew out of the siblings meeting audiences around the world and swapping stories about the songs people love to sing at karaoke. Those conversations prompted Angus and Julia to revisit some of their own favourite songs and reinterpret them in their distinctive musical style.
Apologize is the first release from the series. Originally recorded by OneRepublic, the song is transformed into a more intimate performance, with the siblings bringing their close vocal harmonies and atmospheric arrangements to a song built around regret, heartbreak and the realisation that some relationships cannot be repaired.
Angus & Julia Stone say their interest in reinterpreting other artists’ material began at home.
“Our dad plays in a covers band, so we grew up listening to his interpretations of other people’s songs,” they said. “We were around a lot of live music, and I think that instilled in us a real joy in taking a song and making it your own. As we got older and started singing and playing ourselves, we naturally started doing the same.
“There’s something really special about taking a song you grew up listening to, or one that means something to you, and finding your own version of it. We’ve been lucky enough to hear people all around the world doing their versions of our songs, too. And while doing press for Karaoke Bar, we held some really fun karaoke events with fans and got talking about everyone’s favourite songs to sing. The Highway Karaoke Roadhouse felt like a fun way to share some of our own favourites.”
Their choice of opening song was driven by its emotional content as much as its familiarity.
“Apologize is such a sad and beautiful song, lyrically and melodically. It’s one of those pop songs that gets stuck in your head, but when you really listen to the lyrics, it’s deeply tragic. That feeling of knowing you’ve reached the point where you can’t go back. There’s no apology big enough, no words left to say. Just that awful knowing that it’s over.”
Further releases from The Highway Karaoke Roadhouse are expected over the coming months.
The new music coincides with an expansion of the Karaoke Bar World Tour, with Angus & Julia Stone confirming 12 North American performances for May 2027.
The itinerary begins at Big Night Live in Boston on 13 May before moving through Washington DC, New York, Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, St Paul, Denver, Ogden, Seattle and Portland. The North American run concludes at The Wiltern in Los Angeles on 30 May.
Among the highlights is a New York performance at SummerStage in Central Park on 15 May, alongside a show at Toronto’s historic Massey Hall on 18 May.
Tickets for the North American dates go on sale Friday 13 November at 10am local time. Fans can register for early access through the band’s official website.
The Australian leg of the tour was announced earlier, with six performances scheduled for February and March 2027. The itinerary includes Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, two nights at Melbourne’s Forum, Sydney Opera House Forecourt and Kings Park in Perth.
Karaoke Bar, released in September 2026, debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart. The album continues a recording career that began with the siblings’ 2007 debut A Book Like This.
Their catalogue includes the multi-ARIA Award-winning Down the Way, the self-titled 2014 album produced by Rick Rubin, Snow, the Life Is Strange soundtrack and 2024’s Cape Forestier. Across almost two decades, Angus & Julia Stone have developed an international audience, with their recorded music accumulating more than four billion streams.
The Highway Karaoke Roadhouse offers a different way for the siblings to connect with that audience, taking songs familiar to listeners and giving them a new interpretation. With more covers planned and the Karaoke Bar World Tour extending into North America, the project adds another chapter to the continuing partnership of one of Australia’s most successful musical duos.
KARAOKE BAR WORLD TOUR – AUSTRALIA
Saturday 13 February 2027: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide SA
Saturday 20 February 2027: Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane QLD
Thursday 25 February 2027: The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Friday 26 February 2027: The Forum, Melbourne VIC
Sunday 28 February 2027: Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney NSW
Friday 5 March 2027: Kings Park, Perth WA
KARAOKE BAR WORLD TOUR – NORTH AMERICA
Thursday 13 May 2027: Big Night Live, Boston MA
Friday 14 May 2027: The Fillmore Silver Spring, Washington DC
Saturday 15 May 2027: SummerStage in Central Park, New York NY
Sunday 16 May 2027: MTELUS, Montreal QC
Tuesday 18 May 2027: Massey Hall, Toronto ON
Thursday 20 May 2027: The Riviera Theatre, Chicago IL
Friday 21 May 2027: Palace Theatre, St Paul MN
Sunday 23 May 2027: Fillmore Auditorium, Denver CO
Monday 24 May 2027: Ogden Twilight, Ogden UT
Wednesday 26 May 2027: Showbox SoDo, Seattle WA
Thursday 27 May 2027: Revolution Hall, Portland OR
Sunday 30 May 2027: The Wiltern, Los Angeles CA
North American tickets go on sale Friday 13 November 2026 at 10am local time via angusandjuliastone.com. Early access registration is available through the band’s website.
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