Ed Kowalczyk of Live sits down with Paul Cashmere for an in-depth Noise11 interview ahead of Live’s return to Australia in 2027.
Ed Kowalczyk looks back at Live’s earliest Australian appearances, including the band’s Big Day Out era, the muddy festival shows and the rapid growth that followed Mental Jewelry and Throwing Copper.
He explains why “Operation Spirit” has become the opening song for Live’s current shows, taking the set back to the band’s earliest recorded days, and discusses the songwriting leap between Mental Jewelry and Throwing Copper. Kowalczyk also reflects on the extraordinary alternative rock landscape of 1993 and 1994, when records by Live, Green Day, Soundgarden and Counting Crows were helping define a major period in rock music.
The conversation covers Live’s work with Jerry Harrison, the making of The Distance To Here, the contribution of keyboard player Michael Railton and the band’s changing sound at the end of the 1990s.
Kowalczyk also reveals that Live have signed a new record deal with Sumerian Records and have two albums in development. “Leave The Radio On” is already being performed and will feature on the new album.
There is also a special Australian possibility. Kowalczyk discusses “Lady Bang”, the Live collaboration featuring Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo, and agrees that Melbourne could be the place for the two musicians to finally perform the song together.
Ed Kowalczyk also introduces the current Live lineup, including guitarist and music director Zach Loy, and talks about their developing songwriting partnership.
NEW SHOW DETAILS 2027:
Thursday 4th March
Kings Park & Botanic Garden
Face To Face pre-sale:
Tuesday 6th October 1.00pm > Wednesday 7th October 12.00pm (local time)
General Public on-sale:
Wednesday 7th October 1.00pm (local time)
Lookout Tour Dates 2027
Saturday 6 March, Adelaide, Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Sunday 7 March, Bendigo, Bendigo Racecourse
Wednesday 10 March, Bruce, AIS Arena
Thursday 11 March, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
Saturday 13 March, Mornington, Mornington Racecourse
Wednesday 17 March, Wollongong, WIN Entertainment Centre
Thursday 18 March, Sydney, Afterpay Arena
Saturday 20 March, Hunter Valley, Roche Estate
Sunday 21 March, Broadbeach, Kurrawa Park
Wednesday 24 March, Brisbane, Brisbane Entertainment Centre
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