Simon RushworthAirbourne’s latest run of UK shows proves nobody — not even AC/DC — does rock and roll in its purest form quite like the high voltage Aussies. But, argues Simon Rushworth, a new album would be nice.
Rock ‘n’ Roll for Life
According to Airbourne It’s All For Rock N Roll. A quarter of a century down the line and brothers Joel and Ryan O’Keefe continue to steadfastly Stand Up For Rock ‘n’ Roll. Rock ‘n’ Roll For Life — that’s them. You get the idea. No? Well put it this way: you won’t find Airbourne suddenly penning an introspective prog record anytime soon. There’s no chance of uncovering an alcohol-free lager on this band’s rider. Touring’s still about getting pissed, turning everything up to 10, causing trouble with your mates and maybe meeting the odd lass along the way. Airbourne are so old school they probably never even went to school. As true Rock ‘n’ Roll lifers, they’re a dying breed. Selling out shows but never selling their soul. Except, of course, to Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Back In The Game
And about bloody time. Where the hell have Airbourne been lately? Once upon a time it was impossible to keep the O’Keefe brothers away from UK shores but this hastily announced tour — revealed to very little fanfare — included the band’s first British shows since the summer of 2023! Reassuringly it was like the lads had never been away as they raced through 11 songs in just 75 minutes. Minimum chat, maximum riffage and Joel being hoisted aloft his roadie’s shoulders for the obligatory march through the crowd made it feel like only yesterday that Airbourne was in town. Seeing them Back In The Game, back in the UK and back where they belong, it suddenly felt like rock n roll order had been restored.
Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast?
Maybe even Airbourne needed a break from the relentless rock n roll rollercoaster. Bursting onto the scene with 2007’s spirited debut Runnin’ Wild, a run of five albums in 12 years afforded little opportunity for a breather. Then came the global pandemic. It forced a pause, provided time for a refresh and allowed the O’Keefes to take stock of their riff-fuelled legacy. Older, wiser (OK, maybe not) and rowdier than ever, this long-awaited run of UK shows revealed a band re-energised, rewired and reborn. Not since the late noughties — just before No Guts. No Glory dropped — have Airbourne sounded so good. Just over an hour of absolute mayhem was just enough for fans who’d almost forgotten what made these Aussie rabble rousers such a riot in the first place.
Ready To Rock
Always, in Airbourne’s case. But are they ready to drop a new record anytime soon? The short but sweet set that soundtracked 2025’s return to the UK was all killer and no filler. Every one a winner. Every song a bona fide banger of a rock n roll anthem. But five-and-a-half years since the band’s last album it’s surely time for some new tunes. There was talk of a 2023 follow-up to Boneshaker. It never happened. Rumours were that 2024 would herald a brave new dawn. Last year came and went. And then Joel suggested 2025 would finally see a new Airbourne album see the light of day. Well, there’s time yet. But if there’s one criticism of this month’s March shows it’s that they lacked the killer punch of a brand new song or a big reveal. Die-hard fans might argue ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ but nobody every broke new ground by standing still.
Images courtesy of Adam Kennedy