Mental As Anything Regional Run 2026
After a sold‑out capital city theatre tour, Australia’s legendary band Mental As Anything are taking their 50th Anniversary celebration on the road to regional towns across the country — giving fans outside the capitals a rare chance to see original founding members Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa reunite and lead an exciting new lineup under the iconic Mental As Anything banner.
The 2026 Regional Run extends the milestone year for the ARIA Hall of Fame inductees, marking fifty years of musical achievement with a mixture of intimate theatre‑style shows and festival appearances tailored for regional audiences. Known for their infectious melodies, sharp wit and unmistakable sound, Mental As Anything return to the stage to perform the hits and deep cuts that have made them one of Australia’s most beloved acts.
Across a career that began with their debut album Get Wet in 1979, Mental As Anything have notched up 25 Top 40 hits in Australia and achieved international chart success — including a No. 4 in the UK, No. 3 in Germany and a No. 1 in Scandinavia. Their catalogue includes enduring favourites such as The Nips Are Getting Bigger, If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too?, Too Many Times, Come Around, Berserk Warriors, Spirit Got Lost, You’re So Strong and the worldwide smash Live It Up — a track that continues to enjoy regular airplay across the UK and Europe more than three decades after its release.
What began as a Sydney pub band formed by five art students has, over five decades, become an institution of Australian pop culture. Beyond their music, Mental As Anything’s film clips, poster art, album covers and T‑shirt designs are celebrated as iconic examples of Australian pop art, and their influence can be seen across music and visual culture.
This Regional Run follows the sell‑out capital city theatre dates and exclusive festival slots, and has been programmed to bring the band’s celebrated live show to regional fans who missed out on the earlier performances. Expect the classic hits, fan favourites and a few new surprises that showcase the band’s songwriting, artistry and performance flair — a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity to experience Mental As Anything live in your town.
“Overall, this was a highly enjoyable show that highlighted the remarkable depth of Mental As Anything’s catalogue and their excellent musicianship. With two original members still carrying the torch…these songs are still going strong and this felt like a befitting continuation of the band’s exceptional legacy and a wonderful ode to Aussie pub rock.” - Kiran Gupta Musicaltheatre.au Australian Music and Theatre Reviews - June 19th 2026 Enmore Theatre.
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Mental As Anything National Tour Announcement.
Australia’s legendary band Mental As Anything is set to make a historic comeback in 2026 — the first in 25 years — as original founding members Peter O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa reunite, leading an exciting new lineup to perform once again under the iconic banner Mental As Anything.
👉🏼 Get your hands on tix now!
The 2026 tour will mark the band’s 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of musical excellence with a series of exclusive festival appearances and select headline shows. Known for their infectious melodies, sharp wit, and unmistakable sound, the ARIA Hall of Fame inductees have carved out an enduring place in Australia’s cultural and musical history.
Don't miss your chance to celebrate one of Australia's most iconic and enduring bands as they return to the stage in 2026 at a city near you.
Friday 12th June - The Gove, Adelaide SA
Saturday 13th June - Astor Theatre, Perth WA
Friday 19th June - Enmore Theatre, Sydney NSW
Saturday 20th June - Anita's Theatre, Thirroul
Friday 26th June - Northcote Theatre, Melbourne VIC
Saturday 27th June - Princess Theatre, Brisbane QLD
LIVE IT UP: THE MENTAL AS ANYTHING STORY HITS CINEMAS
The feature documentary Live It Up: The Mental As Anything Story will be released theatrically across Australia on 5 March 2026, as the legendary band reforms for a 50th Anniversary national tour with original members Reg Mombassa and Peter O’Doherty.
With 22 Top 40 hits including Live It Up, If You Leave Me Can I Come Too? and The Nips Are Getting Bigger, Mental As Anything is one of the country’s most loved and successful bands. Not only were they master craftsmen of the pop song, they were maverick artists, using the band as their canvas. Pioneers of absurd music videos and an unmistakable style that defined them – their classic line up thrived for 21 years, playing over 3000 gigs and leaving behind nine eclectic albums, shared equally between four very different songwriters. Their influence as songwriters and in particular the art of guitarist Reg Mombassa is enmeshed in Australian popular culture. The epic tale of Mental As Anything is unlike any in the annals of Oz Rock.
With never before seen archival footage and exclusive interviews with Reg Mombassa, Martin Plaza, Peter O’Doherty, David Twohill and the band’s inner circle Live It Up: The Mental As Anything Story is written and directed by Matthew Walker, (whose documentary I’m Wanita won Best Australian Documentary at the Sydney Film Festival in 2021), with Paul Clarke (Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line, John Farnham: Finding The Voice) as supervising writer and post producer.
In making the announcement Reg Mombassa said: “It's slightly weird to think that we started the Mentals 50 years ago but that's how time works. The film captures the humour and the energy and the art and personalities of the band members. I am grateful that I was able to be in an interesting and popular band and I feel proud of our legacy.”
Peter O’Doherty added: “I joined the band at the age of 19 and we were grafted together like a second family. This film captures the essence of what it was like to be in an Australian band in the 70s, 80s and 90s and I’m reminded of how chaotic, creative, funny, and intense it all was.”
Writer and director Matthew Walker said: "Growing up in the 80s, Mental as Anything was a part of everyday suburban life. As a kid, it seemed normal and correct that they existed, dressed in tin foil, singing unforgettable songs that made you happy. Later, you realise how great those songs were and how much of an impact they had. This film is a celebration of the magic of The Mentals and their extraordinary story and is well overdue for the big screen."
Live It Up: The Mental As Anything Story is a Beyond Entertainment production in association with People Productions. Principal production funding from Screen Australia, in association with Screen NSW. Local distribution by Bonsai Films. International sales by Banijay Rights. Post, digital and visual effect supported by Screen NSW. Written and directed by Matthew Walker, with Paul Clarke as supervising writer and post producer, produced by Susanne Morrison and Carolina Sorensen, and executive produced by Mikael Borglund, Frank Chidiac, and Martin Fabinyi.
To mark the Mental As Anything 50th Anniversary, the feature documentary will have its world premiere on 24 February at the Cremorne Orpheum, followed by a special Q&A with the band. The film is being theatrically released across Australia by Bonsai Films on 5 March 2026 with Banijay Rights managing international sales.
Live It Up: The Mental As Anything Story is a personal story, told by the people who were there.
Mental As Anything News
Introducing The Band
From left to right:
Reg Mombassa on guitar and vocals , Shannon Stitt on keyboard and vocals, Declan O'Doherty on drums and vocals, Simon Rudston-Brown on guitar and vocals, Peter O'Doherty on bass and vocals
First Show Back!
Mental As Anything's debut come back show @ Felons Barrel Room Manly wharf Dec 6th 2025!
That was a banging night! Everything we hoped for but didn't expect at the same time! Thanks so much everyone who came out, the room was full to the brim, the sound was great, the room was great and the band and songs were great! We forgot how many hits there were somehow until everyone started singing along....song after song. Check out the youtube footage of Nips...See you again soon!
