MODERN ENGLISH, the English post-punk band signed to 4AD in 1980 and responsible for the worldwide early ’80s hit “I Melt With You”, are set to embark on their first ever tour of Australia and NZ in October as special guests of the Buzzcocks.
Modern English were just the second act signed to the legendary label 4AD and contemporaries of the likes of the Cocteau Twins and Dead Can Dance. They were early instigators in the much-loved 4AD musical collective This Mortal Coil helmed by label head Ivo Watts-Russell, and they were the act through which their close friend Vaughan Oliver became the label’s inhouse artist and creator of the iconic 4AD visual style.
Somewhat conversely, Modern English are also the band responsible for the international 1983 hit “I Melt with You”, as famously and prominently featured in the early Nicholas Cage film Valley Girl. “I Melt With You” ranks among the top 500 songs ever played on U.S. radio, and is ranked #39 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s.
Having maintained its core line-up since 1979, Modern English are not only loved as early ’80s hitmakers, they have become widely respected as post-punk innovators, thanks to younger generations discovering their catalogue and new artists citing the band as an influence. Appearing as special guests of the Buzzcocks (with whom they have previously toured in Europe and the States), the band’s first Aus/NZ tour will follow the acclaimed early 2024 release of their latest album 1 2 3 4, which received raves internationally in the likes of Rolling Stone, Uncut, Spin and Mojo, who said of the album, “The cold clang of post-punk guitars and synths sounds very ‘now’, but the veteran band brings a depth and worldliness to these songs that sets them apart.”
MODERN ENGLISH, APPEARING AS SPECIAL GUESTS OF BUZZCOCKS:
Brisbane – The Triffid – Fri 25 Oct Tix
Adelaide – The Gov – Sat 26 Oct Tix
Fremantle – Metropolis – Sun 27 Oct Tix
Newcastle – King St Bandroom – Thurs 31 Oct Tix
Sydney – Metro Theatre – Fri 1 Nov Tix
Melbourne – Northcote Theatre – Sat 2 Nov Tix
Lorne – Lorne Theatre – Sun 3 Nov Tix
Castlemaine – Theatre Royal – Mon 4 Nov Tix
Tauranga (NZ) – Totaro Street – Thurs 7 Nov Tix
Wellington (NZ) – San Fran – Fri 8 Nov Tix
Auckland (NZ) – Powerstation – Sat 9 Nov Tix
