Dave Le: Last News

Gang Of Youths have pulled next month’s North American tour dates, citing burnout as the reason for the last-minute cancellation.The Australian indie rockers were due to play shows in the US and Canada, kicking off in Milwaukee’s The Rave II in Wisconsin on September 13 before wrapping at Las Vegas’ 24 Oxford in Nevada on October 1.But singer and guitarist Dave Le’aupepe explained in a post announcing the cancellation that his own “ongoing health issues” and the “stress of travel, illness and feeling constantly hampered by injuries and physical shit sustained on the road” is taking “a significant toll on my wellbeing overall”.Le’aupepe added that he won’t be “bullshitting” fans about the reasons, telling them that he is “absolutely fucken [sic] knackered” and needs to take time out to recuperate because he feels that it’s “unacceptable” to play shows when it “isn’t to the best of my ability”.important news re north america. pic.twitter.com/qJ0VEvigCk— gang of youths (@gangofyouths) August 31, 2022He explained that it’s not just him that needs a break.

Gang of Youths have performed a cover of ‘Why Does It Always Rain on Me?’ by Travis while appearing on Australian radio station triple j’s Like a Version segment.The band, who are currently in the midst of a tour of their home country in support of third album ‘Angel in Realtime’, stay relatively faithful to the 1999 original, paring it back somewhat for an acoustic rendition, with frontman Dave Le’aupepe accompanied by strings and piano.Watch Gang of Youths cover ‘Why Does It Always Rain on Me?’ by Travis below:In a post-performance interview, Le’aupepe and Tom Hobden explained their reasons for choosing the cover. “It’s just a really timeless, beautiful song that, we were able to kind of do it quickly and efficiently and beautifully, in a way that we thought was the right standard,” Le’aupepe said.He added: “Also, they’re a band that’s about as uncool as us, and I thought that was really sweet to do it.

Gang Of Youths have shared a surprise four-track EP titled ‘Immolation Tape’, featuring new takes on three songs from ‘Angel In Realtime’, as well as their cover of Wilco’s ‘Shot In The Arm’.Released today (May 20), the effort was minted as part of SiriusXM’s Spectrum Sessions series, for which the Australian band performed back in March. It’s a largely acoustic affair, centring reverberant grand pianos, dryly plucked guitars and soaring violins.Gang Of Youths’ cover of ‘Shot In The Arm’ was released on its own after the March session.

Gang of Youths‘ North American tour in support of latest album ‘Angel in Realtime’ led them to Philadelphia last Thursday night (May 12), where a “serious electrical issue” meant the full-band set they’d planned couldn’t go ahead.The day of the show, the band shared a statement on their social media explaining that one of their crew members had suffered “a serious electric shock” during soundcheck at the venue, the Theatre of Living Arts.Refunds were given to all ticketholders, but rather than cancel the show altogether, they announced that frontman Dave Le’aupepe would be playing an acoustic set from the venue’s floor.IMPORTANT MESSAGE RE TONIGHT’S SHOW. pic.twitter.com/n5ndtardnA— gang of youths (@gangofyouths) May 12, 2022That evening, Le’aupepe played a 10-song acoustic set, accompanied on most songs by newest member Tom Hobden on violin.

Gang Of Youths made their latest appearance on US television yesterday (April 18), performing ‘In The Wake Of Your Leave’ on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.First released as a single back in January – with a “larger than life” video dropping later that month – the track marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Gang Of Youths’ recent third album, ‘Angel In Realtime’. Upon its release, frontman Dave Le’aupepe explained that ‘In The Wake Of Your Leave’ was written so he could “reflect on how I became dependent on grief for solace and inspiration”.“The cycle from numbness to acceptance to yearning plays a role in my approach to grieving my dad’s death,” Le’aupepe continued in his statement.

Gang Of Youths have shared a cover of Wilco’s 1999 track ‘A Shot In The Arm’, performing it live in a session for the SiriusXM station The Spectrum.They’ve kept much of the song’s airy, lightly melancholic energy intact, elevating it with layered synths – one bassy and woozy, the other glittery, akin to a synthesised xylophone – understated violins and Dave Le’aupepe’s commanding lead vocals.It’s a fitting cover, given the lyrical themes explored on Gang Of Youths’ recent third album, ‘Angel In Realtime’ – a concept album about the life of Le’aupepe’s late father. Towards the end of their cover of ‘A Shot In The Arm’, Le’aupepe sings the refrain passionately: “What you once were isn’t what you want to be anymore.”Have a listen to Gang Of Youths’ cover of ‘A Shot In The Arm’ below:In a recent interview with Stereogum, Le’aupepe noted Wilco as a key influence on ‘Angel In Realtime’, singling out the Chicago group’s iconic fourth album, 2001’s ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’.“I love ‘Summerteeth’, but I just can’t get past that album,” he said.

Gang Of Youths have officially released their long-awaited third album, ‘Angel In Realtime’, performing an intimate gig in Kingston upon Thames to celebrate.Taking to The Fighting Cocks – which has a standing capacity of 250 – last Friday (February 25), the band performed six songs from ‘Angel In Realtime’, as well as ‘The Heart Is A Muscle’ and ‘What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out?’ from 2017’s ‘Go Farther In Lightness’ album.The band played four of the album’s singles – ‘The Angel Of 8th Ave’, ‘The Man Himself’, ‘In The Wake Of Your Leave’ and ‘Spirit Boy’ – alongside the live debut of ‘Forbearance’ and a ballad-esque rendition of ‘Brothers’ played solo by frontman Dave Le’aupepe.Take a look at fan-shot footage from the gig below:Today (February 28) will see Gang Of Youths perform two acoustic performances in Leeds – both at Crash Records, with an unplugged set slated for 5pm and a plugged-in one for 6:30pm – as well as a meet-and-greet at HMV in Manchester. London fans will be able to see the band perform acoustically tomorrow (March 1), with the band set to make an in-store appearance at Rough Trade East.From there, the band will set out on an eight-date stint of full-scale headline shows, kicking off at Dublin’s Button Factory this Thursday (March 3).

Gang Of Youths have shared a final preview of their imminent new album – listen to the monstrous ‘Spirit Boy’ below.The Sydney band, who are now based in London, returned last year with their EP ‘Total Serene’ and are set to release their third studio album, ‘Angel In Realtime’, on Friday (February 25).‘Spirit Boy’ follows singles ‘In The Wake Of Your Leave’, ‘The Angel Of 8th Ave.’, ‘Unison’, ‘The Man Himself’ and ‘Tend The Garden’ in previewing the new album.Speaking of ‘Spirit Boy’ in a statement, Gang Of Youths frontman Dave Le’aupepe said: “We were fortunate to have Shane McLean, an outstanding musician and Taonga Pūoro facilitator, write and perform a spoken verse in Te Reo Māori. A wonderful Māori woman performed ‘rongoā’ on me — a sacred healing practice.“It was a transformative experience, and I’m still not quite sure why.

Gang Of Youths have shared the official video for their latest single ‘In The Wake Of Your Leave’ – you can watch it below.Arriving today (January 19), the choreographed clip is the latest collaboration between frontman Dave Le’aupepe and director Joel Barney.While the song sees Le’aupepe channelling grief into creativity, the new video provides a dose of joyful escapism. It follows the singer and a team of dancers as they bust moves through a colourful, “hyperreal” version of London in homage to “the golden age of the musical”.The dazzling visuals were shot in just three takes and culminate in a two-minute group routine.

Sam Fender teamed up with Gang Of Youths frontman Dave Le’aupepe in London last night (November 21) for a cover of Bruce Springsteen‘s ‘I’m On Fire’.The pair performed the 1985 hit single during Fender’s encore at Alexandra Palace, after Gang Of Youths supported the singer earlier in the night.

Gang Of Youths have announced the release of their highly anticipated third album, ‘Angel In Realtime’.Due out on February 25, the new LP will be the band’s first full-length project in almost five years, following 2017’s ‘Go Farther In Lightness’.The album’s announcement comes with the release of new single ‘Tend The Garden’, a huge tonal change from their recent work, following a lighter, summery route.‘Tend The Garden’ is the fourth preview to be shared from the band’s new album.

Gang Of Youths have returned with an emotional new single – listen to ‘The Man Himself’ below.The track, which follows a spate of recent singles from the Australian rockers, sees frontman Dave Le’aupepe tackling grief following the death of his father.“If I ever have kids I’m not really sure how to raise them without my dad helping me out,” Le’aupepe said of the song in a statement.Listen to ‘The Man Himself’ below:The new track comes after the band returned earlier this year with the single ‘The Angel Of 8th Ave.’, which was then followed in July with a surprise EP titled ‘Total Serene’, featuring new single ‘Unison’ and a breezy, slow-burning take on the 2002 Elbow cut ‘Asleep In The Back’.

Gang Of Youths have shared a stripped-back version of their recent single ‘The Angel Of 8th Ave.’, performed live by frontman Dave Le’aupepe on a wooden piano.The track’s emotive sentiment is amplified by the new version’s bold, analogue instrumentation and raw production, with the sounds of Le’aupepe’s seat creaking and the click track bleeding from his headphones left intact.

Gang Of Youths have shared the music video for their newly released track ‘Unison’.The music video sees frontman Dave Le’aupepe wander on a beach scattered with debris, before reuniting with his bandmates for the song’s final chorus.Watch the clip below:‘Unison’ is lifted from Gang Of Youths’ surprise EP ‘Total Serene’, which arrived last Friday (July 16).