The Church reveal next album, tour details

“The Hypnogogue is the most prog rock thing we have ever done and also we’ve never had a concept album before,” says STEVE KILBEY, the bassist, vocalist and founder of THE CHURCH about their new album set in 2054 (due out February 24 via Communicating Vessels). “It is the most ‘teamwork record’ we have ever had. Everyone in the band is so justifiably proud of this record and everyone helped to make sure it was as good as it could be. Personally, I think it’s in our top three records.”

The Church have also announced their North American tour set for Spring 2023 supporting the release of The Hypnogogue. Kicking off at Los Angeles’ The Belasco on March 11, the tour winds around the continent including shows in San Francisco, Minneapolis, Chicago, Philly, NYC, Boston among many other dates.

“We are really excited to bring this complex and challenging album to the USA where we are sure it will be looked upon favorably,” says Kilbey. Check show links for on sale dates and times! (full list of dates below).

Setting the stage for the rollout of the album’s thematic narrative, the first single and video “The Hypnogogue” (released August 29), he explains, “Invented by Sun Kim Jong, a Korean scientist and occult dabbler, The Hypnogogue is a machine and a process that pulls music straight of dreams. The song is about Eros Zeta, the biggest rock star of 2054, who has traveled from his home in Antarctica (against his manager’s advice) to use the Hypnogogue to help him revive his flagging fortunes. In the midst of the toxic process, he also falls in love with Sun Kim and it all ends tragically (of course...as these things often do).”

The upcoming album is the follow-up to 2017’s Man Woman Life Death Infinity. 

Their most recent U.S. performance at 2022’s Cruel World Festival alongside Blondie, Bauhaus and Morrissey was heralded as “a subtle delight… that captivated the late afternoon audience” (Orange County Register), “providing the perfect soundtrack” (Rock Cellar Magazine).

The current five-piece line-up is bassist, vocalist and founder Steve Kilbey; with long-time collaborator Tim Powles, drummer and producer across 17 albums since '94; guitarist Ian Haug formerly of Australian rock band Powderfinger, who joined the band in 2013 and Jeffrey Cain (Remy Zero), touring multi-instrumentalist who is now a full-time member of The Church since the departure of Peter Koppes in early 2020. The band have also recruited Ashley Naylor, long-time member of Paul Kelly’s touring band.

Track listing:

Ascendence
C'est La Vie
I Think I Knew
Flickering Lights
The Hypnogogue
Albert Ross
Thorn
Aerodrome
The Coming Days
No Other You
Succulent
Antarctica
Second Bridge 

TOUR DATES:

Mar 11 Los Angeles, CA The Belasco - Ticket link
Mar 12 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern - Ticket link
Mar 14 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall - Ticket link
Mar 16 Portland, OR Aladdin Theater - Ticket link
Mar 17 Tacoma, WA Elks Temple Ballroom - Ticket link
Mar 21 Englewood, CO Gothic Theater - Ticket link
Mar 23 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Hall - Ticket link
Mar 25 St Louis, MO Delmar Hall - Ticket link
Mar 26 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall - Ticket link
Mar 28 Kent, OH Kent Stage - Ticket link
Mar 29 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts - Ticket link
Mar 30 New York, NY Gramercy Theater - Ticket link
Mar 31 Boston, MA The Sinclair - Ticket link
Apr 1 Hartford, CT Infinity Hall - Ticket link
Apr 3 Asbury Park, NJ Asbury Lanes - Ticket link
Apr 4 Alexandria, VA Birchmere Music Hall - Ticket link
Apr 5 Norfolk VA The Norva - Ticket link
Apr 6 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle - Ticket link
Apr 8 Pelham, TN The Caverns - Ticket link