While it hasn’t aired on free-to-air TV for a while, I stay up to date with American Idol through YouTube. It’s good to have the local version back on TV, but I wish it championed original compositions the way that the US version does. There are regularly artists I follow years later because their originals have impressed me so much. Thunderstorm Artis is one of those special acts I’ve continued to support after the show wrapped, so I’m pretty stoked to see he’s announced an Aussie tour. And one that includes regional shows no less!
Thunderstorm probably didn’t win Idol because he’s not a “big” performer. He respects a melody, he doesn’t sing a lot of runs. There’s a purity to his performance that it much better suited to the small venues he’s playing on this run than stadiums. I am thrilled I’ll get to see him in places like this. Yes, I’m talking plural because I have a feeling that once I see him at my closest venue, I may be tempted to road trip to another show. We’ll see.
For now, if you’re not already across Thunderstorm’s music you’ve got a couple of months to come up to speed. Start with his American Idol audition song “Don’t Let Me Let You Go” and then let yourself fall down a YouTube rabbit hole. Then follow my lead and jump on some tickets. You don’t want to miss these shows.
5 March 2026 – Pelly Bar, Bunurong Country/Frankston
6 March 2026 – Bells Beach Brewery, Wadawarrung Country/Torquay
7 March 2026 – The Leadbeater Hotel, Naarm/Melbourne
11 March 2026 – UC Hub, Ngambri/Canberra
12 March 2026 – Six String, Darkinjung Country/Erina
13 March 2026 – Brass Monkey, Eora/Sydney
14 March 2026 – Heritage Hotel, Dharawal Country/Bulli
15 March 2026 – The Stag, Mulubinba/Newcastle
18 March 2026 – Press Basement Bar, Kamilaroi Country/Tamworth
19 March 2026 – Byron Theatre, Cavanbah/Byron Bay
20 March 2026 – Miami Marketta, Kombumerri Country/Gold Coast
22 March 2026 – Crowbar, Meeanjin/Brisbane