Live Nation Australia has just dropped a teaser with one very familiar question. Disturbed fans, you might want to keep your calendars clear.
“Australia, are you down with The Sickness?” That’s the entirety of Live Nation Australia’s message on Monday, October 26, accompanied by a video that leaves very little doubt about the band it’s pointing towards.
The clip draws on the imagery and phrase associated with Disturbed’s breakout anthem, Down With the Sickness. It isn’t exactly a cryptic crossword. What it doesn’t give us, however, is the one thing everybody wants: actual tour dates.
What has Live Nation actually announced?
Strictly speaking, nothing in the way of dates, cities, venues or ticket information. The promoter’s Australian website has not listed a new Disturbed tour among its announced events at the time of writing. The band’s official news page also has no corresponding Australian announcement.
That’s worth separating from the excitement. The teaser is real. An Australian run is still a prediction, not a confirmed itinerary.
Why an Australian return makes sense
Disturbed have already demonstrated their Australian pulling power, including their appearance at Knotfest Australia in 2024. And there’s a pointed choice in invoking The Sickness: the band’s landmark debut has been back in the spotlight through its 25th-anniversary celebrations and tour.
When the Australian arm of a major international promoter asks local fans whether they’re down with the sickness, it’s reasonable to expect news designed for that audience. Whether that means a full headline run, a one-off show or a festival appearance is the part that still needs to be established.
A return that could bring controversy with it
Any Australian return would also arrive against a backdrop of controversy surrounding Disturbed frontman David Draiman.
In June 2024, Draiman drew widespread criticism after sharing photographs of himself signing an Israeli military artillery shell near the Gaza border, inscribing it with the words “F**k Hamas”.
The backlash followed him into 2025. Draiman was met with boos when he appeared at Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning farewell concert in Birmingham, although he subsequently disputed claims that he had been booed off stage.
Disturbed’s European tour also attracted protests. An October performance in Brussels was cancelled by local authorities citing security concerns, while protesters gathered outside the band’s Glasgow show later that month.
Draiman has defended his actions and his support for Israel, while also expressing compassion for Palestinian civilians. The band has said its concerts should be places where fans are welcome regardless of political beliefs.
Following the European run, Draiman announced that Disturbed needed an extended break from touring. BLUNT reported on the hiatus and the controversies surrounding the band.
That makes Live Nation Australia’s teaser particularly interesting. If Australian dates are announced, they’d mark another return to the stage after a period of considerable public scrutiny. Whether that controversy follows Disturbed to Australia remains to be seen.
The Blunt Meter
Editorial confidence as at 26 October 2026. Not a confirmed announcement or a statistically calibrated probability.
The Blunt Meter represents BLUNT’s editorial confidence that a future event will happen, based on the available evidence, historical patterns and editorial judgement. It doesn’t tell you what will happen. It tells you how confident BLUNT is that it will.
Why 94%?
- Live Nation Australia’s teaser addresses Australian fans directly.
- The reference to Disturbed’s signature song is unmistakable.
- Disturbed have a proven recent history of playing major Australian shows.
- The band’s 25th-anniversary The Sickness activity makes the song choice particularly timely.
- No dates, venues, ticketing details or precise format have been confirmed, leaving room for an alternative announcement.
That last point matters. The 94% is our confidence in Australian live performances being announced, not a claim that a multi-city headline tour has already been booked.
What happens next?
Keep an eye on Live Nation Australia and Disturbed’s official channels. Until an announcement actually lands, treat circulating dates and presale claims with caution.
BLUNT will update this story when there’s something concrete. For now, the sickness looks like it might be heading our way.
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