On the Guestlist: THE RIONS
There’s a particular calm that sits just before a tour begins – after the big moments, before the next run of shows, when everything feels both familiar and full of possibility. For The Rions, that pause comes ahead of their 2026 Australian Regional Tour, a moment to reflect on what the past year has taught them and what still pulls them back on stage night after night.
Answered by Harley, this On the Guestlist conversation drifts between laughter and reflection: the intimacy of small rooms overseas, the unmistakable energy of regional crowds, and the songs from Everything Every Single Day that have taken on new meaning live. It’s a snapshot of a band still learning, still evolving, and very aware that they’re only just getting started.
The Rions | Credit: Charlie Hardy (@charliehardy)
You’ve just come off Spilt Milk, sold-out theatres, and a UK/Europe run - what feels different about heading back out on a regional Australian tour in 2026?
After every tour we’ve been on, we’ve come off slightly more seasoned than we went in, most of the time in different ways. Mainly just in general, but I feel like a change we experienced coming out of the last batch of touring in 2025, is opening up to the crowd even more than we’re used to, being our natural selves and making fun of each other in front of a crowd, so heading back into our regional Aus tour is exciting. It’s just another opportunity to get better at what we do and have fun with it, hopefully making a couple people laugh (or cry) in the process.
Regional shows often hit different. What do you think regional crowds bring that city shows don’t?
I think what makes a lot of the small town regional shows so special is that a lot of the people in the crowd know each other, it’s bigger groups of friends being able to go to shows so close to home. It’s a little different in the cities where people have traveled far and want to really soak it in (which is fine too). At least that's part of what makes the energy so high based on my experience watching crowds from the stage.
What’s one moment from a live show this past year that reminded you why you love touring?
A little show we played in Bristol in the UK was really special to me. It was a sold out show in a tiny room and you could hear a pin drop between songs. Everyone was so attentive to everything we had to say, and it kind of turned into a bit of a stand up set at some points. We were all just laughing together and it reminded me that we really are in a room full of people. I know it sounds stupid to say but it's easier to forget than you think, when you’re deep in the music and you're going through the motions, it really is easy for your mind to wander away from the fact that hundreds of people are looking at you haha. That's one thing I was definitely reminded that I love about touring.
Everything Every Single Day feels more expansive and emotionally driven - did touring influence how these songs came together?
I wouldn’t say it had too much to do with touring specifically, but technically a lot of the relationships that the album explores were either started as a by-product of touring and meeting people or as a result of being away from home. So touring definitely played a part, mostly for Tonight's Entertainment, a song we wrote exclusively about how much we love to tour and perform.
Now that the album’s been out for a while, which song has surprised you the most live?
I think we were all pleasantly surprised by how much we love playing ‘Cry’ live and how happy we are with its sound on stage, and not only that, but its a song that has really connected with fans at our shows and can be an emotional experience for some.
If this album was about momentum, what do you feel creatively primed for next?
That’s a great question. Without really knowing too much myself, I think identity and expression will play a part. But who knows!
You’ve known each other since school - how has touring strengthened (or tested) that bond?
If anything touring has really highlighted how strong our bond was already, we’ve never had any issues touring with each other and I think it comes down to both enjoying spending time with one another and also having already known each other's boundaries or social battery limits more like.
How do you keep shows feeling fresh night after night when you’re living out of a suitcase?
Showers are very important haha. We’ve only done one tour on a bus and living from shower opportunity to shower opportunity was rough. At least for myself, I think that taught me that as long as a shower isn’t too far away, fresh is easy. If not a shower, then occasionally giving into buying a cool piece of clothing locally always helps to reinvigorate a limited wardrobe.
From Unearthed High winners to chart-topping albums, what advice would you give to school bands watching from home?
Just to trust in what you do and do it a lot. Be sure in your vision and practice like you know it’s going to happen. If you do that, then you’re on your way.
If each band member was a regional town, which would they be and why?
Haha i’ll get in trouble for this but here we go. Noah would be Coffs Harbour (a lot of his family is from there), Asher would be Rockhampton, Tom would be Wollongong and I would be Frankston. No elaboration for those sorry.
If this tour had a group chat name, what would it be?
It’d be called, The Rions Regional Tour 2026. Pretty sure that’s what it’s currently called haha.
You’ve described this moment as feeling like “just getting started”. What does the next era of The Rions look like?
Great question, and a question we all are very excited by. I don’t think we’re too sure about it yet, but that’s why it’s so exciting. Change is fun (and important), we’re just grateful everyday we have a platform we can share that change and evolution. Time will tell ;)
There’s no neat conclusion to where The Rions are right now – and that’s kind of the point. As they head into their 2026 Australian Regional Tour, the band are leaning into change, curiosity, and the freedom that comes with not knowing exactly what’s next. For a group that feels like they’re only just getting started, that uncertainty feels less like a risk and more like an invitation.
You can find full tour details and dates here.
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