90s rock band announce 2025 UK tour after last show saw members brawl on-stage

It didn’t end well the last time Brian Jonestown Massacre were on-stage (Picture: Getty Images)

Doing a full UK tour after your last gig ended in a brawl might not be the best idea in the world – but The Brian Jonestown Massacre aren’t to be deterred.

The American outfit, formed back in 1990, gained a massive cult following as their prolific output has seen them release a massive 21 albums in 33 years.

Despite not having success in pop charts, BJM (as they’re known by some) have remained a popular alternative band, and had their early successes preserved in the documentary Dig!

But things didn’t quite go to plan during a run of shows in Australia and New Zealand just a few months ago, with lead singer Anton Newcombe and guitarist Ryan Van Kriedt seen fighting on stage.

The show was the ninth of 12 shows Down Under – it was halted after just a handful of songs as Anton and Ryan scrapped on-stage in front of a stunned crowd.

All future shows on the tour were subsequently cancelled and it looked to be the end of the band as a touring concern, with Anton allegedly referring to the audience as a ‘cancer’.

BJM’s 2023 Melbourne gig was a night to remember… (Picture: X/Tenho Mais Discos Que Amigos!)

Things took a turn for the worst that night when Ryan is alleged to have said the following to Anton: ‘For the thousandth time, I’m not on your side, you’re on the wrong side.’

Anton hit back with: ‘Cut off this guy’s mic, put down my guitar, party’s over captain. We actually don’t need you. Go. Put my guitar down on the stage and think about what’s happening.’

Newcombe was seen hitting Kriedt over the head with a guitar before they dragged each other to the ground. Security guards finally managed to separate them.

Frontman and group founder Anton Newcombe and guitarist Ryan Van Kriedt bickered throughout the show (Picture: X/Tenho Mais Discos Que Amigos!)

Fans are hoping things will run smoother this time around (Picture: Andrea Friedrich/Redferns)

But it appears things are on the mend, with the cult favourites planning a 14-date tour around the UK for next year, with tickets on sale as of 10am, Friday, September 6.

The tour will start in Bexhill on February 1, before moving on to Bristol, Nottingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Leeds over the following week.

Then it’s up to Newcastle on February 9, before touching down in Belfast, Dublin, Manchester, Southampton, and London on the second week.

Birmingham will then host on February 18, before the tour concludes in Brighton the following night – all in all, that’s 20 days of touring.

Fans of the band are hopeful that, after getting a new manager on board recently, Anton can prioritise his sobriety and put on 14 good shows.

It’s not yet officially known whether Ricky will be a part of the band, but the guitarist has been spotted liking Instagram posts promoting the tour and sharing posters teasing announcements about tour dates.

BJM were formed in 1990 and was one of the most popular alternative bands of that decade, releasing a string of critically acclaimed rock albums influenced by folk music, psychedelia, and blues.

The band has had dozens of members over the years, with only Anton and Ricky still part of the band after working together for more than 34 years now.

While BJM weren’t much of a chart-topping band, they did have a so-called ‘love-hate relationship’ with The Dandy Warhols, who reached the UK top five in 2000 with their single Bohemian Like You.

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