Australian grindcore wrecking crew King Parrot are lining up a return to New Zealand, bringing with them a fresh batch of material that leans hard into the band’s most unrelenting instincts. The tour arrives in support of their new album A Young Person’s Guide to King Parrot, a record that pushes their sound into sharper, more aggressive territory.
Recorded at Melbourne’s Dangertone Studios with engineer Luke Walton, the album marks their first full-length release since Ugly Produce in 2017 and follows 2020’s Holed Up In The Lair EP. Across ten tracks, the band channel a tightly wound intensity, with songs built for impact rather than excess. The result feels direct, stripped of anything ornamental, and driven by a clear sense of purpose.
The past year has been relentless. King Parrot have spent much of it on the road, clocking up 100 shows across Europe, the UK and the United States while touring alongside Pantera. Their current run continues that pace, with a 39-date US tour featuring Gwar and Soulfly. It’s a schedule that reflects a band operating at full capacity, with little interest in slowing down.
Frontman Matt Young has made it clear that the New Zealand dates have been a long time coming. The band haven’t played there in years, and the return carries a sense of unfinished business. Audiences can expect a set that pulls heavily from the new record while maintaining the abrasive edge that has defined their live shows from the start.
KING PARROT – NZ TOUR 2026
Friday July 17 @ Valhalla, Wellington
undertheradar.co.nz/tour/33512/King-Parrot—Wellington.utr
Saturday July 18 @ Whammy Bar, Auckland
undertheradar.co.nz/tour/33513/King-Parrot—Auckland.utr
