The Animals Farewell Tour

Author : Cotton Wolfe | Published On : 15 Oct 2025

The Animals' Epic Swan Song: The Final Curtain Hits Australia

Rock history is about to get a nostalgic send-off as iconic British invaders The Animals gear up for their emotional last hurrah on Australian soil. Catch all the essential info and snag your seats at https://metropolistouring.com/the-animals-uk/ home to announcements for The Animals Farewell Tour, a blues-soaked spectacle celebrating over six decades of raw power and timeless anthems.

Hailing from the industrial heartland of Newcastle in 1962, The Animals ignited the British Invasion with a feral blend of rhythm and blues that echoed the soul of American Delta greats. Starting life as the Alan Price Rhythm and Blues Combo, they earned their moniker from raucous performances that left audiences howling, inspired by trailblazers like Jimmy Reed and the electrifying John Lee Hooker. Their meteoric rise hinged on a spine-tingling cover of "House of the Rising Sun," transforming an old folk ballad glimpsed on Bob Dylan's first record into a global smash. Captured in a single studio pass, it rocketed to the top of charts everywhere, positioning The Animals as the next big thing after The Beatles in conquering U.S. airwaves. The hits kept rolling with gritty gems like "We Gotta Get Out of This Place," a lifeline for soldiers in Vietnam, alongside "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "Boom Boom," "It's My Life," and a chilling "I Put a Spell on You." These tracks not only racked up sales but carved a blueprint for blues-rock, echoing in the work of artists from Bruce Springsteen to today's indie revivalists.

The classic quintet boasted Eric Burdon's thunderous vocals (born 1941), Alan Price on keys (1942), Hilton Valentine's guitar wizardry (1943), Chas Chandler's steady bass (1938 to 1996), and John Steel's driving drums (1941). Burdon's raspy timbre cut through tales of hardship and desire, distinguishing The Animals from the era's lighter fare. Band friction sparked changes; Price bowed out in 1965 amid financial squabbles, and Chandler later shaped Jimi Hendrix's career, yet the essence persisted. The late '60s saw Burdon steer toward psychedelia, but the early blueprint endures as rock's foundational roar. Fast-forward to now, and The Animals Band thrives via revivals and homages, anchored by Steel, the sole surviving founder, joined by dynamos like guitarist and singer Danny Handley, bassist and vocalist Norm Helm, and drummer Barney "Boogie" Williams. (Past versions tapped Bobby Ruiz on bass, though Helm anchors this outing.) Nearing 84, Steel marvels at the enduring pull of their unvarnished tales, connecting with crowds across generations.

Celebrating 60 years strong, The Animals Farewell Tour signals a poignant close with "The Final Curtain," a 2025 Australian odyssey stripped to live essentials, no frills or tapes in sight. Launching October 23 at Newcastle's Flamingos (Lizottes), it carves a path through Australia's musical veins, mixing urban buzz with outback intimacy. Standouts feature back-to-back nights at Rozelle's Bridge Hotel on October 23 and 25 (the 25th now fully booked), a tight squeeze at South Sydney Juniors on the 24th with only 50 spots left, and Anita's Theatre in Thirroul on October 31 holding 100 tickets. November 1 brings Sydney's Coogee Bay Hotel into the fray, trailed by Queanbeyan's Bicentennial Hall on the 2nd and Brisbane's Princess Theatre on the 4th (100 available). The Queensland stretch rolls to Toowoomba's Empire Theatre on the 6th, Twin Towns in Tweed Heads on the 7th, and a heartfelt stop at Grafton's Saraton Theatre on the 8th.

Victoria's turn arrives with Ballarat's Her Majesty's Theatre on November 11, Melbourne's Palms at Crown on the 12th, Warragul's West Gippsland Performing Arts on the 14th, and Wonthaggi Union Community Arts on the 15th. Adelaide's The Gov hosts twin evenings on November 18 and 19 (50 tickets for the opener), wrapping in Western splendor at Perth's Astor Theatre on the 21st and Fremantle's Freo. Social on the 22nd. Brace for a barrage of classics: the eerie wail of "House of the Rising Sun" raising goosebumps, the urgent drive of "We Gotta Get Out of This Place," and blues-drenched nods to their origins that stir the spirit. Steel dubs Australia his "spiritual base," praising the crowd's fervor for sustaining the flame. With Handley echoing Burdon's fire and Williams pounding the pulse, anticipate thunderous applause and communal choruses from fans spanning boomers to zoomers, affirming The Animals' cross-era grip.

Far more than a gig run, The Animals Farewell Tour Australia stands as a sacred rite for true believers. Amid a scene rife with recycled sets, The Animals Band insists on genuineness: raw vocals, no digital crutches, just visceral yarns from rock's formative years. Their repertoire, probing city shadows and mortal aches, strikes a chord in 2025's turbulent times, ideal for souls seeking solace and spark. Steel sums it up: their songs delve into "life's shadows," yet onstage, they spark pure elation.

Tickets are vanishing fast, Rozelle's October 25 a casualty already, so act quick. Lock in through Metropolis Touring and share the thunder for the final bow. Be you a veteran of the '60s fray or a fresh find through streaming, The Animals Farewell Tour crafts indelible echoes in beat and heart. Toast the wild ones who stormed the gates, as the lights dim one last time.