Community, Education, Events, Health and more...

Tasmanian fans of Foo Fighters are proof that absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

As previously reported, the American rock legends will play one night only at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, for their first live show in the Apple Isle since 2015.

What’s more, that show will mark the Foos’ first-ever performance in the island state’s second city, a spot with fewer than 100,000 residents.

The general on-sale began today, and the entire allocation sold out in “record time,” notes Frontier Touring, which is producing the show. According to the concerts specialist, fans from around the country snapped up tickets. And in heartbreak for fans, no additional shows have been announced.

“We have a very special relationship with Tasmania – as we do with all of Australia,” comments frontman Dave Grohl in a statement. “We have these little meetings where the band sits around at the studio with our team, and we think of fun stuff to do… We looked at the calendar and thought, ‘Let’s pop down for a gig’. We’ve been doing these sneaky surprise shows here in the States, having so much fun.”

Playing surprise shows in the United States is not the same as dropping by the bottom of the world.

“To come down and have a special night is amazing,” explains Grohl, “even though we’re literally flying down for 48 hours… we’ll go onstage and blast it out for three hours, then come home. I’ve always loved Australia so much, we’ve been coming down a long time and it’s always felt like home.”

It’s not the first time the Foos have taken the journey for a single, regional date. The 15-time Grammy Award winners performed in 2022 at GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park) in Geelong, a satellite city of Melbourne, to help refuel a touring industry crippled by the lockdown.

Making the trip on this occasion will be Grohl, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear, Rami Jaffee and Ilan Rubin.

To date, Foo Fighters have made 14 visits to Australia, most recently in late 2023 for a national stadium run in support of their eleventh studio album, But Here We Are.

On the recorded music side, they’ve shifted over 1.8 million records in Australia, with nine No. 1 albums.

Support on the night will be rising Brisbane rock band Full Flower Moon Band, and Launceston psych-rock trio Spooky Eyes.

Christmas is a time for giving, and sharing. But one unexpected gift from Gwen Stefani, some critics say, should come with a “return to sender” tag.

The No Doubt singer is partnering with prayer app Hallow, a move that blindsided many of her decades-long fans.

In a sponsored post earlier this month, Stefani promoted the service which is said to enable its users to get closer to God, for a monthly or yearly payment plan.

“It is important this holiday season to spend time in prayer. That is what Christmas is all about: letting God into our hearts and letting Jesus bring us his peace,” says Stefani, dressed in all-white and wearing a crucifix. “Download Hallow and join me and millions of others in praying every day this advent and Christmas season on Hallow.”

Stefani captioned the “paid partnership” post with the comment, “The season of Advent has always been a reminder to slow down, even when everything around us is moving so fast. It’s such a special time to reflect, pray and make room in your heart for Jesus.”

Since launching the promotion Dec. 2 on Instagram, Stefani’s post has captured more than 19,000 likes, and almost 2,000 comments.

Many are critical, none more so than “A Bit Fruity” podcast host Matt Bernstein, who pointed out that Hallow costs $70 per year, includes prayers and meditations that carry anti-abortion messages, and has connections with Vice President JD Vance and conservative venture capitalist Peter Thiel.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” says Bernstein, “aka when Gwen Stefani shills for the right-wing anti-abortion pay-to-pray app, Hallow.”

Describing the service as a “pay to pray” app, Berstein says its creators have gone and recruited “everyone’s favorite Hollaback Girl. More like Hallow App Girl.”

Berstein sounds off, “if you’re looking for God this season, you don’t need to give these people $70 to find him. And Gwen Stefani, don’t you have enough goddamn money already?”

Their post has accumulated almost 280,000 likes and 6,000 comments, including one from Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause, who wrote in the comments section: “Gwen-DON’T SPEAK, a reference to No Doubt’s 1996 hit. “Please take your own advice on this one.”

The timing of Stefani’s collaboration could prove to awkward. Stefani and No Doubt are reuniting for a residency next year at the MSG-owned Sphere in Las Vegas, As previously reported, an initial stretch of 12 shows were booked — and swiftly sold-out — for May 2026.  Another six have been added for next June, which are billed as “final” dates of the residency.