Sydney’s indie darlings The Preatures have some exciting news today, the band will be returning to The Lansdowne, the same storied stage where they played their very first gig, as part of a celebration marking 10 years since their breakthrough album Blue Planet Eyes, a record that cemented their place in Australian music history.
When Blue Planet Eyes dropped in 2014, it felt like a lightning bolt through the heart of Australian indie rock—a record that didn’t just introduce The Preatures to the world but demanded to be heard. Their sound was a heady brew of ‘60s R&B swagger and country-tinged pop-rock that blurred the lines between the retro and the now. The hooks were undeniable, the melodies timeless, and tracks like ‘Is This How You Feel?’ became instant anthems, proof that pop could be smart and irresistible all at once.
Blue Planet Eyes debuted at #4 on the ARIA charts, it garnered four ARIA nominations, a J Award nod, and two spots in triple j’s Hottest 100 (with “Is This How You Feel?” cracking the top 10 at #9 in 2013) cemented The Preatures as both genre-benders and generational icons.
But even as The Preatures scaled heights most bands only dream of, the pressures of success began to weigh heavy. The relentless grind of touring, financial strains, tangled personal dynamics, and, ultimately, the pandemic pushed the Sydney five-piece to breaking point. When they called it quits, fans were heartbroken, but the cracks beneath the surface told a story of a band in desperate need of breathing room.
In the years that followed, the band members found new ways to thrive. Frontwoman Izzi Manfredi channeled her creative fire into her debut solo album, izzi, written and recorded while she was pregnant during COVID—a raw and remarkable project that showcased her resilience. Meanwhile, the other members of the band carved out fresh paths, starting families, launching businesses, and lending their talents to some of Australia’s biggest acts.
Watch the new video of ‘Is This How You Feel?’ below.
”We dedicated our entire young lives to this group and to the music we made, falling in love with playing to crowds, however big and brash or small and sweaty. It was insane and we loved it all. Our decision to break up was never because of the music. Sometimes you really need to let go of everything to realise and appreciate what you have. For us, it’s about recognising and letting go of mistakes, allowing adversity to strengthen us, and trusting our game. We don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, but the idea of a comeback has an almost mystical ability to capture our imagination in a cynical world, and we can’t wait to relight that fire and remind ourselves what a privilege it is to play for you.”
The Preatures will play The Lansdowne on Tuesday 10 Dec as they go back to where it all began. Tickets will be available HERE at 12pm AEDT Tues 3 Dec.
To commemorate the occasion, you can also pre-order The Preatures ‘Blue Planet Eyes’ 10TH Anniversary Special Edition Vinyl HERE.
