Pond—one of the most versatile, inquisitive, and accomplished bands of the psychedelic rock vanguard have released a new single, “Neon River” today. The single is a delightful seesaw, shifting between gossamer spans of acoustic beauty and slicing, shout-out-loud paroxysms that suggest Led Zeppelin in trim fighting form. It’s a new era of Pond, one that sees the band at their peak – matching the unbridled energy of their live show with unbridled creativity in the studio.
Pond on “Neon River” : This is a full on Pond Gemini song. Kinda tumbles through bucolic Gum (Jay Watson) larping, into Nick (Allbrook) in maximum Aerosmith spandex mode, with a brief detour into some kind of shoegaze instrumental section. The chorus is about the hollow half dead riverside shuffle of so many pre dawns of years gone by.
“Neon River” is accompanied by a video clip where a medieval LARP (Live Action Role Play) troupe meets a lonely hair-metal wanderer, who leads them on a pop-metal odyssey to fulfill their destiny. Shot on 16mm film, the video sees Allbrook pulling swords from stone and exploding out of confettified super banners like a pocket rocket, launching the troupe from pestilential medieval servitude, into glam rock ecstasy. The four minute fever dream comes complete with high speed chases, slow motion solo rock outs and stinging Pond performances.
Pond’s prowess in the live arena has been well documented. Fronted by multi-instrumentalist Nicholas Allbrook, Rolling Stone notes he “ooz[es] with that enigmatic frontman energy and charisma that would rival Jagger in his prime. Witnessing the symbiotic and devoted relationship between Pond and their fans evoke[s] the kind of enamored elation within that only live music can replicate. Watching this interaction unfold [feels] like magic in its most pure of forms.” Pond will return to the road, hitting three continents throughout 2024.
First up is a previously announced run of Australia and New Zealand dates supporting Queens of the Stone Age. The tour kicks off in Pond’s hometown of Perth on 10th February and wraps nearly a month later in Christchurch, New Zealand. In May, the band returns to the US for a rescheduled tour. Originally slated for 2023, the new dates will kick off in Nashville, TN on 1st May. Highlights include Mohawk in Austin, TX on 7th May, the Ogden Theater in Denver, CO on 11th May and the Lodge Room in Los Angeles, CA on 16th May. This fall, Pond will return to the UK and Europe for a major UK tour and select dates in Europe including Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and several dates throughout Germany. A list of Australian tour dates is below.
Originally formed in the turn of the 2010’s, as “a Royal Trux-cum-Cream power trio,” fronted by Allbrook with Jay Watson and Joe Ryan, Pond added Jamie Terry shortly afterwards, with James Ireland later rounding out the irrepressible five-piece. Ever prolific, Pond boasts an impressive nine studio albums in their repertoire.
Pond possesses an ever-expanding performance resumé, having toured with Arctic Monkeys, MGMT and Flaming Lips. They have stunned at premiere musical festivals around the world including Glastonbury, Coachella, Primavera, Bonnaroo, Reading and Leeds, The Governors Ball, South by Southwest, St Jerome’s Laneway, Splendour in the Grass and more. They have sold out countless venues around the globe from New York’s Bowery Ballroom to Paris’ La Gaite Lyrique and London’s O2 Forum.
“Neon River” by Pond out now.
POND TOUR DATES
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND 2024
*supporting Queens of the Stone Age
Saturday, 10 February | Red Hill Auditorium – Perth, WA*
Tuesday, 13 February | The Drive – Adelaide, SA*
Friday, 16 February | Mona Lawns – Hobart, TAS*
Sunday, 18 February | Torquay Common – Torquay, VIC*
Monday, 19 February | Sidney Myer Music Bowl – Melbourne, VIC*
Wednesday, 21 February | Hordern Pavilion – Sydney, NSW*
Thursday, 22 February | Hordern Pavilion – Sydney, NSW*
Saturday, 24 February | Broadwater Parklands – Gold Coast, QLD*
Sunday, 25 February | Fortitude Music Hall – Brisbane, QLD*
Monday, 26 February | Fortitude Music Hall – Brisbane, QLD*
Thursday, 29 February | Spark Arena – Auckland, NZ*
Friday, 1 March | TSB Arena – Wellington, NZ*
Sunday, 3 March | Wolfbrook Arena – Christchurch, NZ
USA 2024
Wednesday, 1 May | The Basement East – Nashville, TN
Thursday, 2 May | The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
Friday, 3 May | Shaky Knees Festival – Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, 7 May | Mohawk – Austin, TX
Wednesday, 8 May | White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX
Thursday, 9 May | Trees – Dallas, TX
Saturday, 11 May | Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
Sunday, 12 May | Kilby Court Block Party – Salt Lake City, UT
Wednesday, 15 May | The New Parish – Oakland, CA
Thursday, 16 May | Lodge Room – Los Angeles, CA
Friday, 17 May | The Observatory North Park – San Diego, CA
Saturday, 18 May | The Observatory OC – Santa Ana, CA
UK/EU 2024
Thursday, 26 September | Gorilla – Manchester, UK
Friday, 27 September | The Wardrobe – Leeds, UK
Saturday, 28 September | The Grove – Newcastle, UK
Sunday, 29 September | King Tut’s Wah Wah – Glasgow, UK
Tuesday, 1 October | XOYO Birmingham – Birmingham, UK
Wednesday, 2 October | Thekla – Bristol, UK
Thursday, 3 October | Scala – London, UK
Saturday, 5 October | Le Trabendo – Paris, FR
Sunday, 6 October | La Grand Salon, Botanique – Brussels, BE
Monday, 7 October | Paradiso – Amsterdam, NL
Tuesday, 8 October | Bürgerhaus Stollwerck – Cologne, DE
Thursday, 10 October | Hole44 – Berlin, DE
Friday, 11 October | Fabrik – Hamburg, DE
