Leslie Massey
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (KGLW) is an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne, Victoria, in 2010. The band consists of Stu Mackenzie, Ambrose Kenny-Smith, Cook Craig, Joey Walker, Lucas Harwood, and Michael Cavanagh. They are known for their diverse musical styles, energetic live performances, and prolific discography, with 26 studio albums released to date. While they have a dedicated fanbase in Australia, particularly among Gen Z, some fans have expressed surprise at the band's touring decisions within the country and questioned their level of popularity in the Australian market compared to their success in the US and Europe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Band Members | Stu Mackenzie, Ambrose Kenny-Smith, Cook Craig, Joey Walker, Lucas Harwood, Michael Cavanagh |
| Genre | Psychedelic rock, surf music, garage rock, jazz fusion, folk |
| Albums | 26 |
| Popularity | More popular among Gen Z in Australia, less popular among older generations |
| Awards | Won the ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album in 2016, Ranked No. 47 in Rolling Stone Australia's list of the "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time" in 2021 |
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What You'll Learn
Popularity among younger generations
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard (KGLW) is an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne, Victoria, in 2010. The band incorporates a variety of musical styles, including psychedelic rock, surf music, garage rock, jazz fusion, and folk. They have gained recognition for their energetic live performances and prolific discography, exploring themes such as climate change and social issues.
While it is challenging to precisely gauge their popularity, there are indications that King Gizzard enjoys a significant following among younger generations in Australia. A Reddit user's comment from December 2022 reflects on the band's popularity, suggesting that most Australian Gen Z individuals are likely aware of the band, while some millennials and fewer older individuals also know them. The comment also mentions observing people wearing King Gizzard shirts in public, suggesting a level of fan dedication.
The band has cultivated a dedicated fanbase that eagerly anticipates their releases and performances. This enthusiasm is evident in online discussions and the emergence of fan communities, such as the King Gizzard subreddit (r/KGATLW). Fans admire the band's versatility, exploring diverse genres with success and incorporating prophetic themes into their music.
In 2021, Rolling Stone Australia recognized King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard as one of the "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time," ranking them at number 47. This acknowledgment further highlights their popularity and impact within the Australian music landscape.
However, some fans have expressed surprise that the band has not embarked on a comprehensive tour of Australia, considering their strong following in the country. The band's touring strategy in the US, which involves travelling to multiple cities by tour bus, may not be as feasible in Australia due to the spread-out nature of capital cities, requiring flights between locations.
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Touring in Australia
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are an Australian psychedelic band with a dedicated fan base in their home country. While the band hasn't toured Australia since 2023, they have announced a 2025-26 tour with dates along the Australian east coast. This tour will be in support of their 27th album, "Phantom Island".
The band's popularity in Australia is a common topic of discussion among fans, with some speculating that they peaked in the country around 2017-2018. However, there is evidence to suggest that they still have a strong following, particularly among Gen Z and millennials. One fan commented that they have yet to meet a person under the age of 25 who hasn't at least heard of the band, and that they've noticed more people wearing King Gizzard merchandise in public.
The upcoming 2025-26 tour will see King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard perform in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. These performances will be unique, with two different types of shows in each city. The first will be mind-bending orchestra performances led by conductor and musical director Chad Kelly, featuring 29-piece ensembles from Australia's most acclaimed orchestras. These will take place in iconic venues such as the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The second type of show will be rock performances, with one already announced at The Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane.
The band's Australian tour dates are highly anticipated by fans, with some speculating about the possibility of additional dates. While the band has not announced any further Australian shows, their dedication to their Australian fans is evident in their upcoming performances.
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Their diverse discography
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (KGLW) is an Australian rock band formed in 2010 in Melbourne, Victoria. The band consists of Stu Mackenzie, Ambrose Kenny-Smith, Cook Craig, Joey Walker, Lucas Harwood, and Michael Cavanagh. They are known for their diverse discography, exploring multiple genres, energetic live shows, and a prolific release cadence.
Their early releases blended surf music and garage rock, with their first releases being the self-published singles "Sleep / Summer!" and "Hey There / Ants & Bats" in 2010. Their first album, "12 Bar Bruise", was released in 2012, followed by seven more studio albums over the next four years. Their early albums showcased a blend of garage rock and psychedelic rock, with their third album, "Float Along – Fill Your Lungs", marking a shift towards a more mellow, folk-inspired sound.
Over time, King Gizzard incorporated a broader range of musical styles, such as jazz fusion on their sixth album, "Quarters!", and the folk-inspired "Paper Mâché Dream Balloon". Their eighth album, "Nonagon Infinity", released in 2016, garnered them more mainstream attention, winning the ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album and peaking at number 19 on the Australia Albums Chart.
In 2017, the band released five studio albums, including "Flying Microtonal Banana", "Murder of the Universe", and "Polygondwanaland". Their diverse discography showcases their willingness to experiment with different genres and sounds, solidifying their place as a dynamic and creative force in the Australian music scene.
While their popularity in Australia may have peaked around 2017-2018, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard continue to cultivate a dedicated fan base, particularly among Gen Z, and their diverse discography offers something for a wide range of music enthusiasts.
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Awards and recognition
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have received several awards and recognition for their work. In 2016, they generated more mainstream attention with Nonagon Infinity, which won the ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album. In December of that same year, Consequence of Sound named them Band of the Year, praising the quantity and quality of their releases. In 2020, they were listed at No. 47 in Rolling Stone Australia's list of the "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time".
In 2022, the band won the inaugural Environmental Music Prize for their 2020 song "If Not Now, Then When?", written after Australia's 2019 Black Summer bushfires. The award, which honours Australian musicians who inspire action on climate and conservation issues, was decided by a public vote of over 7,000 people across 58 nations. The band donated their $20,000 winnings to the nature protection organisation The Wilderness Society.
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Their unique sound
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard (KGLW) is an Australian rock band formed in Melbourne, Victoria, in 2010. The band has gained recognition for its unique sound, which defies categorization into a single musical genre. Their music has been described as "psychedelic," blending elements of surf music, garage rock, and a diverse range of other influences.
One notable aspect of King Gizzard's creative process is their willingness to experiment with different recording techniques and equipment. This openness to exploration has resulted in a diverse range of sounds across their extensive discography. The band's early releases, for instance, were characterised by a lo-fi aesthetic, with lead singer Stu Mackenzie recalling his fascination with the lo-fi quality of his early recording setup.
King Gizzard's music often challenges traditional production norms. Their collaborators are expected to embrace unconventional approaches, such as phasing a stereo master or printing a mix to VHS tape, in pursuit of a specific aesthetic. This willingness to push boundaries has resulted in a sound that defies easy description.
The band's sixth album, "Quarters!," released in 2015, showcased their ability to incorporate new influences. The album drew upon jazz fusion and acid rock, resulting in a more laid-back sound that was described as "unlike anything they've released before." Their subsequent releases continued to push creative boundaries, incorporating elements of krautrock, dream pop, sludge, and even Middle Eastern-inspired microtonal riffs.
In addition to their musical experimentation, King Gizzard is known for their prolific output. Between 2012 and 2017, the band released eight albums, including their 27th studio album, "Phantom Island." This productivity, combined with their genre-bending sound, has earned them recognition in the music industry, with Rolling Stone Australia ranking them 47th in their list of the "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time."
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to gauge the popularity of King Gizzard in Australia as they are not considered mainstream. However, most Gen Z Australians are likely to be familiar with the band, and they have a dedicated fanbase in the country.
In 2021, Rolling Stone Australia ranked King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard as the 47th greatest Australian artist of all time.
King Gizzard has released 26 studio albums since their formation in 2010, exploring various genres such as psychedelic rock, jazz fusion, and folk.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard has performed at various festivals and venues in Australia, including Gizzfest and Jive in Adelaide. They also announced five concerts at Sydney's Carriageworks in 2020, each with a different musical theme.
The members of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard grew up and attended school in various areas of Australia, including Deniliquin, Melbourne, and Geelong. Some of the band members played in different groups before forming King Gizzard, such as Revolver & Sun and Sambrose Automobile.
