Thirteen - unlucky for some but that’s the number of the last run of shows for Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission to top of what has been a stella year. Putting the complications and vagaries of covid behind them Mick and the band weighed into the year full of inspiration and optimism.

The album Where Only Memory Can Find You came out in May on Coolin’ By Sound Records and due to a committed and reinvigorated fan base managed to make a nice little dent in the ARIA Charts peaking at #5 for the Australian releases and a respectable #33 nationally. The AIR Charts were an entirely different affair with the album coming in at #1 no less! The graphic novel entitled Away Away - Rudi’s Story was a welcome accompaniment to the album and quickly became a firm favourite with the fans. The band’s Merch desk at live shows was a busy one this year.

The subsequent National Tour in support of the album was a strong one with Mick and Jen Anderson leaving days after it finished to begin a tour of the UK including an appearance at Glastonbury on Billy Bragg’s Left Field Stage where they duetted with the man himself on a co-write between Mick and Billy.

Returning home it was straight back out on the road for a bunch of dates with their long time road buddies The Waifs - where the band ended up on-stage each night closing the show with a joint version of the Lowest of the Low tune Rosy and Grey.

So with thirteen dates left Mick and the band are set to put the finishing touches on the year as they get around the country with a whole swathe of support acts - both old and new. The support band for Smith’s is The Aerial Maps, a Sydney band who write songs about lots of interesting things, and more. :-)