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THE WHITLAMS - Return to Rock Island
Felons Barrel Room Manly1 E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095, Australia
(AEDT)
Join The Whitlams this October as they embark on an old-fashioned East Coast pub run.
“Return to Rock Island” takes the band back to its favourite rock rooms, where if only the walls could talk about the joyful two, three and four night residencies over the decades. Long sweaty nights at these pubs formed the bedrock of The Whitlams’ reputation as a memorable force in the Australian live scene.
What better way to mix things up after the elegance of the celebrated Orchestral ’26 tour, with its eight symphony orchestras, 30,000 people, and concert halls across the country. Now it’s back to the pubs where the audience is standing up close.
Joining the bill for the whole tour is William Crighton with band, promoting his 4th studio album, ‘Colonial Drift’. The pioneer of Bush-Psych and a bold voice of Australian folk rock, Crighton weaves stories of land, spirit, and struggle with raw intensity.
The set list will tend towards the high energy side of the seven album repertoire - loud, and built for a crowd with nowhere to sit.
Tim Freedman is joined by stalwarts Terepai Richmond on drums and Jak Housden on guitar, with Ian Peres returning on bass and keys.
"The songs splash colours across a portrait of a lonesome, inner-city suburbia that few others can match for original detail and authenticity.... The Whitlams have never sounded even mildly like anybody else."
‐ The Newcastle Herald, 2022
Doors open: 7:00pm
The Whitlams are an acclaimed Australian indie rock and piano rock band formed in Sydney in 1992. Fronted by singer-songwriter and pianist Tim Freedman, the group became one of Australia's most successful live acts through their literate songwriting, emotional storytelling, and…
Genres: Indie Rock, Piano Rock, Alternative Rock, Pop Rock.
3 other upcoming dates listed on LINES in Sydney and Brisbane.
Opening Friday 5 December 2025, Felons Barrel Room will introduce a bold evolution in the brewery’s hospitality and cultural offering, blending barrel-aged beer, Vietnamese cuisine and live music in a dynamic setting. A 700-capacity cultural hub and entertainment venue, Felons Barrel Room will feature a stage, bars and seating for more than 300 diners. The walls will be lined by more than 100 French oak barrels used to age a wide variety of Felons’ beers that will be made on site.
With a world-class audio and lighting system purpose-built for live performance, the venue will host an ongoing program of live music with a focus on local and emerging talent. It will also present themed events such as trivia and movie nights, comedy shows, jazz evenings and intimate “piano bar” gigs. Featuring a sound system by internationally recognised German manufacturer d\&b audiotechnik and a dynamic lighting rig, the acoustically treated space will deliver an experience unmatched on the Northern Beaches.
Felons Barrel Room Manly is in North, Sydney.
THE WHITLAMS - Return to Rock Island is on Friday 16 October 2026, 7:00 pm to 12:00 am (Sydney time).
THE WHITLAMS - Return to Rock Island is at Felons Barrel Room Manly, 1 E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095, Australia.
Tickets for THE WHITLAMS - Return to Rock Island are listed at $80.
THE WHITLAMS - Return to Rock Island starts at 7:00 pm and finishes at 12:00 am, Sydney time.
THE WHITLAMS - Return to Rock Island is listed under Indie Rock, Piano Rock, Alternative Rock, Pop Rock, Folk Rock and Adult Alternative.
Yes. THE WHITLAMS - Return to Rock Island is 18+.
The lineup for THE WHITLAMS - Return to Rock Island lists The Whitlams.
1 E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095, Australia
12 other events in Sydney, 2 of them Indie Rock, on Fri 16 Oct 2026.
