ZACH STEPHENSON

with special guest support to be announced.

Zach Stephenson is best known as the singer, guitarist and principal songwriter of Australian indie rock band Hockey Dad. Over more than a decade, he has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most distinctive songwriters, touring extensively throughout Australia, North America, Europe and the United Kingdom while releasing a string of acclaimed albums that have earned the band a loyal international following.

His debut solo album, I Needed To Hear Me Say It, marks the beginning of a new creative chapter. While retaining the melodic instincts and memorable songwriting that have defined his career, the record expands into broader musical territory, embracing richer arrangements, quieter moments and a more reflective approach to storytelling.

Influenced by the timeless songwriting of artists such as Nick Lowe, the infectious hooks of New Radicals and the cinematic scope of The Last Shadow Puppets, the album explores themes of growth, self-reflection and the changing perspective that comes from years spent writing, touring and navigating life on the road. Rather than chasing a single sound, the songs move naturally between genres while remaining grounded in Stephenson’s unmistakable melodic voice.

Recorded with an emphasis on honesty and simplicity, I Needed To Hear Me Say It captures an artist allowing himself the freedom to follow instinct rather than expectation. The result is a collection of songs that feels both familiar and entirely new—deeply personal without losing the immediacy that has always made Stephenson’s songwriting so relatable.

With his debut solo release, Zach Stephenson establishes himself not only as the frontman of one of Australia’s most successful independent bands, but as a songwriter with a distinct artistic identity and an exciting new creative path ahead.

Doors 7.30pm