NEWS
Sports Team are offering fans a chance to fire five shots of a web-controlled paintball gun at them – read on to find out how.
The Cambridge band are preparing to release their third studio album ‘Boys These Days’ on May 23 via Distiller Records/Bright Antenna, which you can pre-order/pre-save here. They have previewed the album with the singles ‘I’m In Love (Subaru)’, ‘Condensation’, ‘Bang Bang Bang’ and ‘Maybe When We’re 30’.
Ahead of the release, they will be offering people who pre-order the album the opportunity to hurl paintballs at them.
In an Instagram post on Friday (May 9), they wrote: “On Tuesday we’ll be spending the day in a room doing live sales of the new album with what remains of our dignity and a 3000psi, web-controlled paintball gun. Buy the record. Get five shots.”
The post comes alongside a video of the band in the studio, showing the paintball gun in question aiming at a range of melons. “It’s ok to hate Sports Team,” reads a caption. “Six band members, four hours, one web-enabled fully remote paintball turret gun. Buy the album, get 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 shots. 13th May.”
The band have also announced a series of in-store gigs to take place around the release of the album – tickets are on sale now and can be bought in participating stores or on the band’s site here.
MAY
21 – Banquet, Kingston
22 – Assai at Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh
23 – Assai, Glasgow
24 – Live at Leeds signing
25 – Jacaranda Baltic, Liverpool
26 – Rough Trade, Nottingham
27 – Rough Trade, East London
28 – Resident, Brighton
29 – Rough Trade, Bristol
‘Boys These Days’ will be the follow-up to 2022’s ‘Gulp!’, which NME awarded four stars and noted was “a cocky, self-assured record that blends Sports Team’s chaotic energy with a smart, heartfelt understanding of the power of guitar music.”
“Through it all, Sports Team are just trying to have a good time. It’s a relatable sentiment given these times, and whether it’s the escapism of the live show or their communal spirit, ‘Gulp!’ sees the band continue to build something to believe in.”
NEWS
Eric Hutchinson is finally making his way back to Australia after a 16 year absence, with three East Coast theater dates locked in for November. The shows will also mark his first headline tour across the country.
The short run will begin at Brisbane's Lefty's Music Hall on Nov. 19 before heading to Melbourne's Northcote Social Club on Nov. 20. It wraps up in Sydney with a performance at The Lansdowne on Nov. 21.
Hutchinson's connection with Australia has always been a unique one. His breakthrough in the country came after his song "Rock & Roll" was featured on the Australian drama Packed to the Rafters, helping the track earn platinum certification and climb to No. 1 in 2009. He previously visited Australia as a support act for Jason Mraz and Kelly Clarkson during tours in 2008 and 2009, but he never had the chance to return with a headline show of his own.
"I honestly have no idea why I never came back to Australia, other than the fact that it's super far away from New York City, where I live," he said in a statement, adding that the timing finally aligned after years of fan requests.
Back in the United States, the success of "Rock & Roll" followed a different path. The song became Hutchinson's first gold certified single in the country, although it did not enter the Hot 100. The album Sounds Like This originally found its audience as an independent release after a Perez Hilton endorsement helped it climb to No. 5 on the iTunes Store in September 2007. It later debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart before receiving a broader release through Warner Bros. Records in May 2008. Since then, Hutchinson has continued putting out new albums while growing a loyal fanbase through consistent touring.
The Australian dates are in support of Hutchinson's latest album, the 2026 release Repeating Myself, which has been described as a return to the piano driven pop and soul style that first introduced him to many listeners. Fans can also expect to hear familiar favorites including "Rock & Roll," "OK, It's Alright With Me" and "A Little More."
Marshall Hamburger, winner of the tenth season of Australian Idol in 2025, has been announced as the opening act for all three shows.
Eric Hutchinson Australian Tour
Presented by Teamwrk Touring & MRG Live
Thursday, Nov. 19 — Lefty's Music Hall, Brisbane
Friday, Nov. 20 — Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Saturday, Nov. 21 — The Lansdowne, Sydney
