With Tame Impala selling out full arenas <- check here, bands like The Beths touring around the world for the first time in years <- also check here, and Babe Rainbow turning up the love with prismatic wonder, the world is really embracing music from the land down under. Australians are dominating the entertainment industry, and we’re completely here for it.
One of the main reasons you’re still seeing so many incredible experimental, psych, pop, indie and more bands from Oz is because a central movement of all things outside a major label still are being fostered in the country. Courtney Barnett (who we also covered here) had an incredible label in Australia for years before moving to the US. The extremely southern nation fosters a positive environment for artists, as well as having a strongly funded governmental arts program. This support extends to niche genres as well as experimental acts, so you get something like King Gizzard starting a record label for their own material and also bands like The Babe Rainbow. The bands tour together, some of the bigger bands in the scene even have their own festivals, and worldwide domination continues.
We caught the band right before they could take over the whole country though at their local Philly stop. Mazie Wolf & Sayaka Sugita (on a rare trip from Osaka) recently covered the band, plus local Philly favorites in the show recap below.
“Australian psychedelic rock band Babe Rainbow brought their signature feel-good energy to The Foundry at The Fillmore Philadelphia on Thursday, July 30, 2026, delivering an evening that felt less like a traditional concert and more like a communal celebration of music, movement, and positivity.
Sam Blasucci
The night opened with Sam Blasucci and Philadelphia locals Sam and Louise Sullivan, setting a warm and welcoming tone. Blasucci showcased beautiful, expressive guitar work throughout his set before ending with a heartfelt rendition of “Linger,” prompting the audience to sing along together.
Sam and Louise Sullivan continued the hometown spirit with a performance full of love and connection. Louise’s natural stage presence shined as she danced across the stage with infectious energy, while Sam anchored the songs with thoughtful guitar playing.
Louise later picked up the violin, adding another layer of warmth and musicianship that was met with enthusiastic applause. Their talented backing band, made up of fellow Philadelphia musicians, made the set feel like a celebration of the city’s vibrant music community.
By the time Babe Rainbow took the stage, the atmosphere was electric.
Frontman Angus Dowling was captivating from the moment he walked onstage. Singing with effortless charisma, he constantly moved with the music, switching between maracas, percussion, and expressive dancing that made it impossible not to smile. Rather than presenting a carefully choreographed performance, Babe Rainbow created something much more organic, a shared experience where the audience became part of the music. Every song invited movement, and the crowd happily responded, swaying, dancing, and raising their hands throughout the night.
The Australian group, formed in 2014 by high school friends Angus Dowling and Jack Crowther in the Byron Bay and Rainbow Bay area of New South Wales, has become known for blending 1960s-inspired psychedelic rock with surf culture aesthetics. During the show, they even performed one of the first songs they wrote together as teenagers, giving longtime fans a glimpse into the band’s origins.
Dowling’s personality carried the performance. Between songs, he chatted with the audience, joking about seeing rainbow shirts in the Philadelphia crowd and making everyone feel like they were part of the evening rather than simply watching it. The band played an extended set, complete with a brief five-minute intermission, giving fans a generous night of music.
Sam Blasucci band member
Babe Rainbow’s performance wasn’t about flashy theatrics, it was about connection. Their musicianship, relaxed chemistry, and uplifting energy transformed The Foundry into a space where strangers danced together and shared in the band’s joyful spirit. By the end of the night, it was clear that Babe Rainbow had done exactly what they set out to do: create a colorful, immersive experience that left Philadelphia smiling.”
Make sure to catch Babe Rainbow on tour here <-
Also grab their excellent album on the King Gizzard record label here <-
really enjoy Sam & Louise