There’s a scene in the film High Fidelity where the lead character, record shop owner Rob Gordon played by John Cusak, leans over to his employee and whispers “I will now sell five copies of The Three EPs by The Beta Band”.
He crosses his arms and waits for the customers browsing the racks to come and ask what the distinctive music is.
For many people the film from the year 2000 was the first place they came across the Scottish band’s work. Their CD collated the first three EPs the band pout out in the late 90s. In mid-1999 they released their self-titled debut album, and followed it up with Hot Shots II in 2001. Three year’s later came a third album Zeroes to Heroes and the much loved indie darlings announced they were calling it quits.
Lead singer Steve Mason went on to have a successful solo career, he’s got six albums under his belt alongside numerous side projects. Bandmate John Maclean found success as a film director, while also being a member of The Aliens alongside Beta Band member Robin Jones and former member Gordon Anderson.
Last year the band announced they were getting back together announcing a tour of the UK and North America to perform The Three EPs in their entirety. Now they’re heading to Australia.
Steve Mason has pitched the reunion tour as “a chance to see one of the greatest British bands of the last 30 years – before they turn us into holograms.”
The band’s Australian run will begin in Sydney at the end of May before heading to Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. The final show will be at Metropolis in Fremantle. Their support act will be other legendary British outfit Death in Vegas who will be delivering a DJ set.
THE BETA BAND TOUR
Saturday 30 May 2026
Enmore Theatre
Sydney, NSW
Sunday 31 May 2026
The Tivoli
Brisbane, QLD
Wednesday 3 June 2026
The Gov
Adelaide, SA
Thursday 4 June 2026
Forum
Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 6 June 2026
Metropolis
Fremantle, WA
