After selling out their first national headline tour and packing out rooms across the country, Fool Nelson could’ve coasted for a minute. Instead, they dropped ‘Bad Dreams’ – another strong cut in a catalogue that’s quietly becoming one of the most reliable in Australian indie rock. Though nothing about them feels forced, just three guys from WA writing songs that land in that strange middle space between feeling a bit wrecked and still showing up anyway.
They’ve got a knack for wrapping heavier themes in bright, driving arrangements. ‘Bad Dreams’ is no different. It’s built on reverb-soaked guitars, crisp drums and one of those bittersweet chord progressions that feels instantly familiar.
“‘Bad Dreams’ is a song about the ebbs and flows of mental health and how anxiety can really cloud your perspective and stop you from seeing the good things in life,” they say. “It’s a reflection on times when everything seems like it’s gone to crap, but also a reminder to step back and appreciate the good things that help get you through those hard times.”
Over the past year, Fool Nelson have quietly become one of Australia’s most consistent live bands. Their 2024 EP ‘Falling Apart’ found a solid audience across community radio and streaming platforms, and ‘Don’t Feel Right’ ended up in the rotation of just about every keen-eared indie-rock fan paying attention.
That momentum’s carried them through a stacked run of support slots – Ball Park Music, Great Gable, The Rions, Old Mervs. They’ve also turned up on festival lineups across the country, including Groovin the Moo, NYE on the Hill, Tone City Records Festival, HYPER Fest and Out & About.
June and July will see them traversing across the country once again, supporting Skegss with The Buoys – a run that’ll take them back into packed venues and sweaty rooms. It’s a fitting next step for a band that’s built their momentum the long way: one solid track, one tight set, one room at a time.
‘TOP HEAVY’ AUS TOUR
Supporting Skegss, w/ The Buoys
SAT 7 JUN | VIVID CARRIAGEWORKS, EORA/SYDNEY NSW (AA)
THU 12 JUN | DUNSBOROUGH TAVERN, WOODITCHUP/MARGARET RIVER WA
FRI 13 JUN | FROTH CRAFT BUNBREWERY, GOOMBURRUP/BUNBURY WA
SAT 14 JUN | ASTOR THEATRE, BOORLOO/PERTH WA (AA)
THU 19 JUN | HINDLEY STREET MUSIC HALL, TARNDANYA/ADELAIDE SA (AA)
FRI 20 JUN | FORUM, NAARM/MELBOURNE VIC
SAT 28 JUN | THE TIVOLI, MEANJIN/BRISBANE QLD (AA)
THU 10 JUL | THE RECKY, MULUBINBA/NEWCASTLE NSW
FRI 11 JUL | JETTY BEACH HOUSE, GUMBAYNGGIRR/COFFS HARBOUR NSW
SAT 12 JUL | KINGSCLIFF BEACH HOTEL, CAVANBAH/BYRON BAY NSW
SUN 13 JUL | FINNIANS TAVERN, GURUK/PORT MACQUARIE NSW
Additional Live Shows
FRI 9 MAY | GAGE ROADS, WALYALUP/FREMANTLE WA
SAT 10 MAY | FROTH CRAFT BUNBREWERY, GOOMBURRUP/BUNBURY WA
THU 26 JUN | FREO.SOCIAL, WALYALUP/FREMANTLE WA – Supporting Spacey Jane
SAT 5 JUL | PERTH HIGH PERFORMANCE CENTRE, BOORLOO/PERTH WA – Supporting Old Mervs
